In the second of a three-part series looking at how our biggest teams have fared this season, Chief Football Writer Paul Fraser assesses the 2014-15 campaign from a Newcastle United perspective

‘WE don’t demand a team that wins, we demand a club that tries’. That was one of the giant banners draped across a fence behind the Gallowgate, where hundreds of fans gathered to protest against Mike Ashley’s ownership of Newcastle United before, during and after the Tottenham game last month.

The same banner and many more have been around the country at different away grounds, all demanding change. Newcastle supporters, highlighted by the thousands of empty seats for that Spurs boycott, are fed up with what is perceived to be a lack of ambition and spending shown by the billionaire sportswear tycoon.

This season has been something of a tipping point and understandably so. The sight of Ashley stood in front of a TV camera for the first time answering questions before last Sunday’s win over West Ham hints that he might have finally understood too.

After stating he will not sell Newcastle until they have won something at least, then it will be hoped Ashley now builds on his move to address the fans, albeit through the media. Scepticism will remain until greater investment happens, with fans dubious about his decision not to strengthen a squad clearly lacking strength in depth and quality.

He could make a huge statement with his next head coach appointment, after the game to keep John Carver in charge until the end of the season with a weakened squad almost backfired by delivering a huge financial blow to everyone connected with St James’ Park.

Newcastle finished the season on something of a high; Ashley’s interview was followed by relief all round after Moussa Sissoko and Jonas Gutierrez scored the two goals on the final day to defeat West Ham to keep Newcastle in the Premier League at Hull’s expense.

That occasion, with an emotion-charged atmosphere and great desire to win, needs to lead to more and a visit to St James’ Park should be feared by the visiting teams which have actually used the apathetic Tyneside environment to their advantage in recent times.

Last summer there was a degree of excitement felt towards the team after the acquisitions of Remy Cabella, Jack Colback and Daryl Janmaat, among others. One of the worst starts to a Premier League season in the club’s history – winless in their first seven - soon doused feelings.

But when Gabriel Obertan scored the winner against Leicester in mid-October to end the woeful sequence, Alan Pardew had finally found a way to win again. That marked the start of a six-match winning run, extended to securing 19 points from eight games, to ultimately provide the key period which kept Newcastle in the Premier League.

The high of defeating Chelsea followed and that even led to claims Newcastle could be in with a shout of repeating the fifth-place finish of 2012. It did, though, not last as Pardew became frustrated with being told January would not herald the squad additions he craved.

And after the defeat to Tottenham in the Capital One Cup quarter-final was followed by a third straight home defeat to Sunderland just before Christmas, Pardew’s reign came to an end when he somewhat surprisingly decided to return to his roots with Crystal Palace at the turn of the year.

That was when Carver was handed the reins and he kept them longer than had been expected after Steve McClaren had resisted an offer to take over in January. Newcastle won just four more games all season, including a demoralising third round FA Cup exit at Leicester.

Carver had to deal with a horrible run of injuries and suspensions, not least for the seven-match ban dished out to Papiss Cisse for spitting at Manchester United’s Jonny Evans and those red cards picked up by Mike Williamson and Janmaat at Leicester; when he suggested Williamson had deliberately tried to get himself sent off.

All combined those contributed to an alarming slump which looks to have prevented Carver from staying in his dream job beyond the summer. He went on to lose 13 of his games in charge, including a record eight in a row during a run of just one win from Newcastle’s last 11 games.

The Magpies were on the brink of playing Championship football, but Ashley and Co were able to breathe a huge sigh of relief on the final day.

Newcastle might not be as lucky next time, which is why it will be hoped Ashley has learned lessons and does everything he can to try to reunite the city with the football club he owns – although many will feel it is already too late.

HIT OF THE SEASON
Daryl Jannmaat

The Northern Echo:

The World Cup defender arrived with a strong reputation from Feyenoord for £5m and he showed his commitment to the cause with a string of strong displays, even when asked to fill in at centre-back. His value has increased after his performances in the Premier League amid interest from Manchester United and Arsenal but if he stays he could be next season’s captain.

MISS OF THE SEASON
Remy Cabella

The Northern Echo:

It is almost unfair (albeit slightly) to single out one player as the worst when there have been so many, while John Carver and Mike Ashley could even be named rather than a player given the problems. But Cabella, who cost more than £7m from Montpellier and arrived as the signing most fans were excited by, has hardly created anything and scored just once in 34 outings.

GOAL OF THE SEASON
Ayoze Perez vs West Brom (November 9)

The Northern Echo:

If you can remember as far back as November, when the Magpies were actually on a good run, the skilful Spaniard grabbed a brilliantly instinctive goal to put Newcastle ahead at the The Hawthorns. As Janmaat’s cross came over, Perez somehow flicked his right foot with a lovely bit of trickery to knock the ball beyond Ben Foster moments before half-time.

MOMENT OF THE SEASON
When Jonas Gutierrez scored against West Ham

The Northern Echo:

On the final day of what is likely to be his final appearance for the Magpies, the Argentine struck the sweet second goal to complete his remarkable comeback from testicular cancer by helping to keep Newcastle up; cue scenes of relief and celebration.

The Northern Echo:

2014-15 RECORD
All competitions

P43 W12 D10 L21 F46 A70 (win ratio: 28%)