Man Utd, are the benchmark, and the last time Newcastle finished above them was 1977 when we ended the season 5th and they were 6th.
Gordon Lee jumped ship in the January and Richard Dinnis was keeping the ship afloat.
Sir Alex Ferguson: "Over the last decade, we've worked upon bringing young talent into the club, like, Wayne Rooney, Chicharito, Anderson and Nani, and we've brought all these players.
"But that doesn't dismiss the fact that we like to produce our own young players and I think there are several players in the present youth team who are doing really well.
"The likes of Ryan Tunnicliffe and Ravel Morrison, you see some of them doing very, very well, so we're always going to put an emphasis on young players coming through from the youth team. That will always be the case.
"We've got some excellent young players of good ages, you know. Like, for instance, Chicharito, who is 22, Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson, who are 23, and Chris Smalling who's 21.
"So, yeah, we've got a good nucleus of young players in the club which gives you the foundation to be able to protect the future and know it's going to be alright."
Meanwhile ....
Blackburn have warned their supporters against selling season tickets to Manchester United fans for the crunch fixture between the two sides this weekend.
United will secure their 19th league title if they avoid defeat at Ewood Park on Saturday, while Rovers are looking for a positive result as they continue their battle to avoid relegation.
The sale of tickets to United fans could mean some supporters are not segregated, causing a security concern.
A statement on Blackburn's official website said: "Reports that some Blackburn Rovers supporters are 'selling' their season tickets to Manchester United fans ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture at Ewood Park have brought a furious response from the club.
"Club officials - fully supported by Lancashire Police - warn that everything possible is being done to minimise the illegal practice and stress that any offenders will face strong and appropriate action.
"Rovers have information and intelligence of season ticket holders selling their tickets directly to United followers - there is even evidence of season tickets being advertised on the internet."
MAGPIES IN EUROPE
Although "Magpies In Europe" will not be launched OFFICIALLY until next season (when we get them into shops in the North-East) ... if you want a copy it is available NOW from this website ... and ONLY from this website!
Sports Journalist Richie Everson: "At last a book that the fabulous Newcastle United fans can relate to. It's informative, all the facts and figures are there, plus the 120 match reports from all the fixtures ... but it is the articles by the supporters that amazed me.
"I went to many of those games, and this is the only book I can honestly say 'hits the nail on the head'!
"Yes we know the results and the scorers, but some of the facts in this book had me so wrapped up in it I couldn't put it down.
"Was Benny Arentoft cup-tied when he played in the final? Big Wyn and his battle with John McGrath; McFaul scoring a penalty when the crowd had gone home; the trouble in Palermo; it is all amazing stuff.
"I would honestly give this book 10 out of 10."
MAGPIES IN EUROPE
From Antwerp to Zurich
Price: £9.99 (including post)
The book is available NOW only from this website!
Please include your address in a letter and send a cheque (or postal order) for £9.99 payable to Mr K Fletcher, to:
'MAGPIES IN EUROPE', K Fletcher, 5 Dunelm, Sacriston, Co Durham DH7 6NU.
Or contact: Kevnumad@fsmail.net