An bad start to the season when Newcastle lost its opening two league games was quickly erased with five successive wins, creating a momentum that stalled only in the past month, on the verge of promotion.
A variety of pundits, the likes of ex-Toon heroes Rob Lee and Alan Shearer have said the squad needs strengthening massively this summer.
Of course the title is still up for grabs, although I'm not expecting it, it would be a nice way to send off the supporters against Barnsley on May 7th.
"I will like to thank everyone because they have been very supportive".
After flirting with relegation for the past few years, basement side Sunderland now look doomed to the drop along with second-bottom Middlesbrough, which would leave Newcastle as the northeast's top team.
Rafa Benitez, the coach said: "I want to congratulate all players, staff and fans".
"We knew it was hard at the beginning".
Shawcross is a vastly experienced Premier League defender, and he has silenced critics of his style on a number of occasions already in his career.
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Prison officials say Hernandez used cardboard to jam the door to keep officers from entering the cell. Investigators found three hand-written notes next to a Bible in the cell, the statement said.
Things had looked on course for an easy passage when Spaniard Ayoze Perez scored in the sixth minute - although there were suspicions of the ball going in off his arm.
"Here you are valued and there is no politics and odd things behind (the scenes)", Benitez told Spanish radio.
"In six months I was back on the pitch playing and that's the kind of person he is". There was plenty of excitement when the former Dundalk star made the move across the water in late 2015, but it just hasn't happened for him over in the Championship.
"He is a great manager and great man". It's been tough for him. He's come from Real Madrid to manage Newcastle in the Championship, expected to win the league, expected to go up without losing a game - and it doesn't work like that.
"He's been brilliant. He's kept himself calm, he's kept the players calm. He's been really important for us and hopefully he's here for many years with us".
Newcastle will play against Cardiff City and Barnsley in the final two rounds of the Championships.
All of the above except young Cairney would encounter problems with the transfer policy at Newcastle and I don't see Defoe crossing the divide - but certainly if those type of players were brought on board I'd be delighted. "It's the first step".
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