Newcastle United finished a comfortable 10th in the Premier League last season, but the club's supporters wanted more from their team in the new campaign.
Pressure on manager Alan Pardew grew in the early part of the season, but the powers-that-be kept faith with their boss despite calls from supporters.
Here, Sports Mole has taken a closer look at what has been an incredibly up-and-down season for the Magpies thus far.
August
There was a sense of expectancy when Newcastle welcomed Manchester City to St James' Park in their first league game of the season, but the Premier League champions proved too strong on the day and ultimately claimed a 2-0 win.
The Magpies visited Aston Villa in their second league match of the campaign, but the pair could not be separated in a goalless draw.
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One week later, it became three league games without a win as Newcastle conceded in the 95th minute to draw 3-3 with Crystal Palace. That match saw the emergence of a certain Rolando Aarons, however, who has been tipped for the top.
Newcastle also opened their League Cup challenge towards the end of the month with a 1-0 win at Gillingham in the first round.
September
Newcastle's winless run in the league continued as they were thumped 4-0 at Southampton on September 13, before a 2-2 draw at home to Hull City made it five league games without a win for the Magpies.
The League Cup provided a welcome distraction, however, as Newcastle booked their spot in the next round with a 3-2 win at Crystal Palace.
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The bread and butter of the Premier League was proving difficult for the club, however, as a 1-0 defeat at Stoke City left the supporters in disarray.
Remy Cabella, among others, had arrived in the summer window, but the new signings were struggling to make their mark in the opening weeks.
October
Papiss Cisse was finding some form in front of goal, however, and the forward scored twice in a 2-2 draw at Swansea City at the start of the month.
It had been suggested that Pardew would be out of a job if Newcastle lost their next match to Leicester City, but a second-half effort from Gabriel Obertan finally secured the Magpies their first league win of the season.
Next up for Newcastle was a daunting trip to Tottenham Hotspur, but goals from Sammy Ameobi and Ayoze Perez – who was starting to show promise – secured all the points at White Hart Lane.
The joy was not complete for Newcastle, however, as they continued their run in the League Cup with a sensational 2-0 win at Manchester City. Again it was the youngster Aarons that caught the eye at the Etihad.
November
At this stage, calls for Pardew to depart had been dispelled and more wins were to follow. Newcastle started the month with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool, before beating West Bromwich Albion 2-0 to make it five wins in a row.
Newcastle were not ready to lose their winning run when they faced Queens Park Rangers on November 22, and a late effort from Moussa Sissoko ensured that the club's incredible form continued.
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Three straight wins moved the club into the European positions, but the month did end in slight disappointment as they lost 1-0 at West Ham United, who were also in excellent form.
December
December started with a 1-1 draw at Burnley, but Newcastle's result of the season was to follow as they beat Chelsea 2-1 on December 6 - ending the Blues' unbeaten league start to the season in the process.
Newcastle were brought crashing down to earth in their next two games, however, losing 4-1 at Arsenal in the league and 4-0 at Tottenham in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
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Their most disappointing result was to follow, however, as they lost 1-0 at home to fierce rivals Sunderland – a result that did not go down well with the supporters.
Newcastle then travelled to Manchester United on Boxing Day, where they were beaten 3-1 courtesy of a double from Wayne Rooney and a Robin van Persie header.
The Magpies ended the year in a positive fashion, however, with a 3-2 home win over Everton moving the club into the top half of the table.
Position at start of 2015: 9th
Star player so far: Moussa Sissoko
Must do better: Remy Cabella
Where they need to strengthen in January: Defence
Mid-season grade: C
To see Newcastle's remaining fixtures in 2014-15, click here.
Matt Law
