The last 18 months have been something of a whirlwind for Newcastle United fans, with the club having gone from relegation candidates to European hopefuls in record time.
It was the incredible run of eight wins from nine matches either side of the World Cup break that made the rest of the league sit up and take notice, and in doing so, allowed fans to believe that maybe, finally, this was the year United cemented themselves among the Premier League elite once and for all.
That once unstoppable train has slowed since the turn of the year - just one win in eight games in the league heading into this weekend’s clash with Wolves - but it’s a testament to the job Eddie Howe has done that even that hasn’t derailed Newcastle’s genuine hopes of a Champions League finish.
READ MORE: Newcastle United jetting to Dubai for mid-season training camp this month
However, despite the fact only four points separate the club from fourth spot with two games in hand prior to the weekend fixtures, Toon fans aren’t expecting a top four finish just yet.
Over 4,000 fans answered the call from ChronicleLive to lay down their expectations for the final months of the season, with a whopping 81% believing the club would fall short of a Champions League place this term.
When broken down by position, fans were in agreement that the club would instead nail down a Europa League spot, with 44% predicting a sixth placed finish - nearly three times more than the next-best 17% who expected to end up a place lower in seventh.
Of those that did still believe in a top four finish, 91% believed they would do so by clinging on to fourth place, with few predicting United would breach the Premier League’s top three.
On the pessimistic end of the spectrum, less than 9% of fans felt the club would drop below seventh place and out of European contention.
The full results:
3rd: 1%
4th: 16%
5th: 13%
6th: 44%
7th: 17%
8th: 7%
9th or lower: 2%
Where do you think Newcastle will finish this season? Do you agree with the verdicts of your fellow fans? Join the conversation in the comments below…
READ NEXT:
- Newcastle United must grasp Champions League chance or face Europa League hardship - John Carver
- Everything Eddie Howe said on Wolves, injuries and Bruno's contract at Newcastle press conference
- Eddie Howe issues Alexander Isak fitness warning when asked why Newcastle star hasn't started games
- Eddie Howe's answer when asked what now represents a good season for Newcastle
- Newcastle Champions League ambition underlined for the second time in a week
