It feels absurd that Newcastle United were a minute away from defeating Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League tie. And after Barcelona dismantled the Magpies 7-2 at the Nou Camp in the second leg, even they'll be disappointed with the draw they escaped with in Tyneside.
In a humbling week for English football, it was Eddie Howe's side who were handed the biggest reality check.
Crashing back down to earth, it was a night full of disappointing performances and perhaps none more so than from a player who looked like Newcastle's next Elliot Anderson in the first leg.
Newcastle have learned Anderson lesson the hard way
Utter the word PSR around Tyneside and you're bound to insult a few onlooking Newcastle fans. It is a banned phrase around St James' Park these days, given how it's played a part in slowing down PIF's project and forced the club to sell players of Anderson's quality.
Elliot Anderson for Nottingham Forest-1
Aside from a point deduction, losing Anderson was the harshest lesson that Newcastle could receive in 2024. He has since become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, even in a struggling Nottingham Forest side, and cemented his starting place in Thomas Tuchel's England side.
Suddenly, the £35m fee that Nottingham Forest paid out to land the midfielder looks like an absolute bargain, especially when considering that he could leave for as much as £100m to the likes of Manchester United this summer.
Most ball recoveries 25/26
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest
Joao Gomes (Wolves)
Andre (Wolves)
Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth)
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Anderson has been in a world of his own in midfield this season. When it comes to recovering possession, there is not a single player close to his level in the Premier League.
Newcastle thought they'd found their ideal replacement in the first leg against Barcelona, but they may have been wrong.
Newcastle's new Anderson must be dropped
There was a lot of deserved praise for Jacob Ramsey in the first leg against Barcelona. On an evening which almost ended in a Newcastle victory, the £43m man received comparisons with Anderson, making four recoveries and completing four tackles in a complete display.
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Toon star just had his worst ever game in a Newcastle shirt vs Barcelona
Newcastle United were humiliated by Barcelona 7-2 in their second leg showdown, with this Magpies star having his worst game to date under Eddie Howe.
What also often stands out about Anderson is his ability to progress play through his ball-carrying skills. It's a tough skill to replicate, but Ramsey was doing just that in the first leg - completing 11 carries to drag his side out of trouble and onto the front foot.
The foundations were there for all to see at St James' Park, but when the spotlight increased at the Nou Camp, Ramsey failed to live up to expectations.
Ramsey vs Barcelona First leg Second Leg
Minutes 90 90
Recoveries 4 4
Errors leading to goal 0 1
Tackles 4 3
In this season as a whole, Ramsey is also only in the 61st percentile for progressive carries compared to Anderson, who is in the 57th percentile. The former Aston Villa man simply isn't doing it enough, let alone when attempting to break Barcelona's shape at the Nou Camp.
jacob-ramsey-newcastle-premier-league
Ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland, Eddie Howe should drop the midfielder and reinstate one of Nick Woltemade or Joe Willock to the side.
Willock is a strong option that Newcastle should consider. Where Ramsey struggled in possession against Barcelona, the former Arsenal man has that added attacking intent which could prove crucial against Sunderland this weekend.
Joe-Willock
For his teammate, meanwhile, it could be back to square one. The summer signing had to wait for his chance and now, after finally earning his place, an ill-timed mistake against Barcelona could be costly.
The Magpies cannot afford two defeats in the same season against Sunderland and after humiliation against Barcelona, Howe must be brave with his team selection. Whether that means the end of Ramsey's run in the side remains the big question.