Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes celebrates the win over Sunderland
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes celebrates the win over Sunderland in 2024
It's all over after a last day skirmish and heart flutter but the job's a good 'un. Mission accomplished. Champions League to go with the Carabao Cup. Canny.
Let us now say our thanks . . . to UEFA for giving England that extra fifth place without which Newcastle would have fallen on their sword. To Man U for clipping Aston Villa. To old big 'ead Emiliano Martinez for getting himself sent off and blunder ref Thomas Bramall for his Villa goal call.
To Callum Wilson who appeared to be saying a tearful farewell after a career of great service curtailed by great injury and to a couple of others who may well follow him out of the exit door.
However above all let us sweep away that panic against Everton and remember the whole season in its entirety which means a huge thank you to Eddie and all the lads. You did us proud. Over the long stretch you came up tall.
Now we move on to a summer of signings - despite the bombshell departure of Paul Mitchell on the eve of the window opening - followed by Europe's elite visiting the cathedral on the hill and Sunderland as well upon the return of the Tyne-Wear Premier League derbies after so, so long.
If United got lucky on the last day boy did Sunderland in the play-offs. Against Coventry City in the semis as well as Sheffield United at Wembley. They entered sudden death as low as a snake's belly after five successive defeats and rode their luck in both rounds but, hey, they made it through last ditch goals when all neutrals had thought a bunch of kindergarten kids bought to be sold on at a profit had no chance of staying a marathon course.
Didn't that old sage Alan Hansen say "kids win you nothing" or words to that effect. And wasn't he the old Liverpool skipper on a huge salary to expound his inner wisdom on Match Of The Day.
As for me I welcome the return on the North East derbies. Bring them on, I say. There is much to be put right on behalf of all us Geordies.
Sure in January of last year the gulf in class was as wide as the Wear when United cantered into the winner's enclosure 3-0 at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie but beyond that in the Premier League Sunderland have consistently taken the latter day plaudits. Of the last nine league derbies they have won six (all on the bounce) and drawn three with not a solitary single United victory. That needs addressing double quick. Six points out of six please. Tables turned.
The last PL match twixt Tyne and Wear was over nine years ago - March 2016 - and ended in a draw. The last Newcastle won August 2011 away 1-0.
Maybe European royalty visiting SJP will take centre stage but you cannot under estimate what derbies mean in our parts. To players from the area as well as supporters. Dan Burn admits he's looking forward to facing Sunderland as much as Barca, Real Madrid or whoever because as a lad the derbies were what stirred the blood while Sunderland's wonderkid Chris Rigg, who comes from a Newcastle obsessed family, will undoubtedly have the two dates ringed on the family calendar.
[The Champions League trophy stands on display during the UEFA Champions League football group stage draw ceremony in Monaco
Prize money](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-much-newcastle-united-stand-31692201)
Within days of Sunderland walking joyously down Wembley Way the national prophets of doom were out in print suggesting they will 'do a Southampton' unless they splash the cash big time this summer.
The Saints, you will recall, came up a year ago as play-off kings with a bunch of exciting youngsters and a front foot philosophy but were quickly sussed by the experienced big boys and dispatched back from whence they came with an embarrassingly low points total.
Sunderland possess very few players who have even tasted the PL and an inexperienced manager Regis Le Bris who will be walking new territory but has succeeded the wildest expectations on Wearside and will hope to continue to defy. Their kids are as bright as a button but can they keep them and will they learn quickly as a new season progresses into what could easily become a dog fight.
Wembley winner Tommy Watson is already lost to Brighton and before the corks had stopped popping in red and white territory Jobe Bellingham was in Germany for talks with Eintracht Frankfurt having already spoken to his brother Jude's old club Dortmund. Hardly the actions of a teenager excited by the thoughts of stepping up into the PL!
Mixing it next campaign with a midfield of Bruno, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton is a job against men. Trying to cull the goal potential of Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon an altogether different matter. Full internationals all.
United of course ought to have added to their blue chip contingent by the time a ball is kicked again in anger.
Eddie Howe has urged the club to strike quickly in the transfer market and that's what the fans want too. He is anxious to nail signings before others pinch them but for me added plusses include players being able to settle on things like housing and schools, be able to integrate with new team-mates from the first day of training, and getting used to United's tactical formation during all the pre-season friendlies not to mention raising their fitness levels to what Howe demands of his high press team.
So come on United get out of the traps smartish and give us all another lift.
I know it's far from ideal that sporting director Paul Mitchell is leaving at the end of the month just as we wait for the starter's gun but surely the club have contingency plans already in place. This 'mutual decision' can hardly be a surprise to them and the need is pressing. Any further lack of activity would be like taking a pin to a balloon.