A debate over whether it is too early to be considered as Europa League contenders was not on the list of bar room discussions within the Newcastle United fanbase just 12 months ago.
As supporters walked out of Molineux after a drab 2-1 defeat even Jeff Hendrick's first half did not lift spirits after Wolverhampton Wanderers inflicted another defeat on Steve Bruce's side. Having had very little to spend Bruce emerged after the game and said: "I expect scrutiny".
Little did he know, that a Middle East takeover would unfold in between his penultimate and final acts as boss with the Saudi-backed takeover suddenly back on. Fast forward to 2022 and the transformation at Newcastle has been nothing short of remarkable.
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After Wolves, Bruce had been tinkering with the team and trying to switch back to a flat back four rather than the five-man defensive rearguard Newcastle had become renowned for. Fans couldn't be happier with Eddie Howe's 4-3-3 system that encourages attacking play and the only negative yesterday as the players filed back on to the bus was that Newcastle did not score more in a 4-1 win at Fulham!
Away to Wolves, there was no sign of former owner Mike Ashley who had long since thrown the towel in when it came to attending games. Outside Craven Cottage, though, the scenes were like something out of a movie as Amanda Staveley and Declan Donnelly partied with fans on a stairway at Fulham.
It feels easy to say 'you couldn't make it up', but this is Newcastle United after all and the one positive that new owners have brought has been that supporters are at least allowed to dream.
Under Ashley, dreams were forbidden and Newcastle under their previous owners even went out of their way to create a blueprint that discouraged doing well in the domestic cups! Playing the kids in cups and early exits were on the agenda and Ashley wouldn't try to disguise it.
These days Howe admits he has to "dream for the fans". When it comes to talk of winning the cup, Howe said: "I'm not afraid to say that visualisation and imagining those things are very important."
And so on to the next chapter of the current season - a home clash against Brentford which coincides with the anniversary of the takeover. Victory over the Bees could even take Newcastle into the top four.
And while Howe won't want to get carried away the big take away from Fulham has to the year-on-year progress by United. Reaching 11 points is a notable milestone at this stage.
It took until December 27 - vs Man United at home in a 1-1 draw - to do it last year. In 2020 it was November 1 and a year before hitting the 11-point mark came on November 2. In 2018 it took until November 26.
So Howe may have picked up more draws than victories but is still winning the battle overall. It's progress, and that's all Newcastle fans have ever really wanted.
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