2. Magpies’ Effort Goes Unrewarded
Even with the managerial change, this season feels like every other under Mike Ashley. Aside from one good season when they finished fifth and exceeded all expectations, it has been a very monotonous ride for the Magpies. They have managed to do enough to stay up and not get involved in a relegation scrap, while not doing well enough to get into Europe, mid-table mediocrity has been their staple for some time now.
So it certainly couldn’t have been easy for their fans when they went 2-0 down in the first half. With nothing left to play for in the season, you would be forgiven for thinking that the home side would give up and take a hammering. But instead, the Magpies came out flying in the second half and showed that while they may not have much to play for, they will certainly give it their all. With a game against local rivals Sunderland coming up next week, the fight and hunger they showed in the second half will come in handy and might help them overturn their neighbors run of victories, even if it wasn’t ultimately enough against the Wenger’s side.