Al-Toon-ative season review | OneFootball

Things are never simple when supporting Newcastle United.

One minute you are wondering how Shay Given is the only Irish man who doesn’t know where Dublin is.

The next thing you know, it is almost three decades later and we’re the richest club in the world without being able to spend a single penny, due to FFP rules that only make sense to the highest qualified economist this side of the global stock exchange!

This season has been no different.

Let’s relive some of the highlights (and maybe the odd lowlight) that will live long in the memory of all fans of Newcastle United:

Highlight of the season

It’s really hard to look past the PSG home match here.

In the build up to the game, no one was giving us a chance and we absolutely hammered them!

It brought back many happy memories of being behind the goal when Tino completed his hat trick against Barcelona in 1997. We really do have a fantastic European pedigree and this 4-1 win was up there with the best of the best. Magic!

We’ve had some corkers this year including the 8-0 win away at Sheffield United, hammering Villa 5-1 on the first day of the season and sticking three past Man United in the league Cup.

My favorite match however, was West Ham at home.

We looked dead and buried at 3-1 but to come back and win was incredible. Thankfully, I had the house to myself so the kids didn’t have to witness my ridiculously wild celebrations when the 3rd and 4th went in, but it is safe to say the neighbours got an earful as Newcastle United turned the match on its head with a superb comeback. Happy days!

Goal of the season

I think most people tend to forget about the amazing strikes we score in games we go on to lose.

Joelinton’s at home to AC Milan was an absolute belter and at one point had us on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages. This would have gone down in history if it had secured the win.

Sadly, Toon lost the match and crashed out of Europe on a night that promised so much but ultimately ended in heartbreak. What a goal though and what a moment to be a Toon fan.

Young player of the season

Easiest one so far.

Lewis Miley has been brilliant and has really grown into the team.

He has a lot of competition for a midfield starting place but he’s right in the mix with the likes of Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali and Willock. Keep them all fit and it’s a very nice problem to have.

Player of the season

This is a tough one but I think Antony Gordon has been consistently one of our best players.

Since winning player of the tournament at the Euro U21s, he’s worked on his fitness, his goals and assists and is always good value for nicking a penalty or two.

An integral part of the team and is fast becoming a fan favourite. Could he even be the key to unlock England’s quest for a major trophy? We might be about to find out.

Funniest moment

Newcastle United were drawn away at fiercest rivals Sunderland in the FA Cup and I was expecting one of the most heated and intimidating welcomes in history!

Our hosts however, couldn’t have been more accommodating – six thousand tickets, decorating their own bar in black and white, free beer at full time and even an own goal to get the ball rolling in a fine 3-0 victory. Let’s all laugh at Sunderland!

Most disappointing result

I think the Forest home match on boxing day was a real kick in the teeth. We were 1-0 up and cruising for the first forty minutes until Chris Wood scored a hat-trick (something he never did for us!). To lose 3-1 when our home form was so good at that time was deeply disappointing.

The PSG away game as well. It was never ever a penalty and to be robbed in injury time was just crushing. It was actually a good result in a way but at the time felt like a defeat.

Special award

Once again, Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall have been absolutely class during what has at times been a difficult season. I for one am hoping they stay for years to come.

It’s once again been a very dramatic season following the Toon with a number of potential answers to any of the above. Feel free to put your own opinions in the comments section below. Here’s hoping each and every one you have a fantastic summer.

With a few less injuries and a couple of shrewd signings, who knows what the next twelve months will bring for Newcastle United?! Roll on next season!