Newcastle United are in a much better place than 12 months ago - in fact that is probably an understatement. Their unambitious previous owner Mike Ashley has long since left St James' Park with Amanda Staveley and Jamie Reuben spearheading the new Saudi-backed board's exciting plans moving forward.
Steve Bruce - an unpopular choice among supporters when he was first appointed in last throes of his managerial career - is also gone and has been replaced with Eddie Howe, who feels like a much better fit for the Toon faithful. Although there is still room for improvement at Newcastle, the next step in the club's journey has to be closing that gap between the 11th place earned last season and the European spots.
Before a ball is kicked, ChronicleLive are asking supporters to let us know on a scale of zero to 100 just how happy they are with eight key areas of the club. It’s all a part of ' The Big Newcastle United Forum ', a new series that asks the big questions. You answer and we debate all of the goings on at SJP.
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As far as the general happiness rating out of 100 is concerned I'd probably go with a 75 which leaves plenty of scope to build on in the next nine months or so. Had I been asked that question last season it would arguably been as low as 15 out of 100 given the mass unhappiness in the city under Ashley and Bruce.
Yet that chapter of the club's history books is firmly behind us now. There is happiness around the place again because there is at least a plan in place these days.
Howe's organisation is a huge factor in that but then you have sporting director Dan Ashworth at the wheel too and the incoming, passionate CEO Darren Eales to follow in early August. With a great team off the field in place, it makes for a brighter future for supporters.
The expectations are as they have always been - fans just want the team and the club to try. That doesn't have to be Champions League football or even Europa League but if Newcastle are trying and just missing out then fans can see that effort levels are there.
It's the same on the recruitment side too with Newcastle showing this summer that they are in it for the long haul when it comes to nailing down targets. United spent most of 2022 trying to sign Sven Botman in a £34million deal from French Ligue 1 club Lille, and succeeded.
With AC Milan lurking in January, Newcastle were persistent on a transfer deal that delighted supporters. United not only pipped Serie A giants Milan but also a clutch of clubs in the Premier League including Tottenham Hotspur who saw him as a big star of the future.
Yet Newcastle could offer him all his needs right now and he will be one of the first names on the team sheet in the new season. A good start on the field will be needed for the Magpies and it's Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion first up.
Both games offer the chance of a maximum haul of points and United boss Howe will be looking for that flying start. It took Newcastle until December to get up and running last term with a victory, here's hoping they can do it within the first 90 minutes in August.
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