Welcome back! This 5 part series has reached the penultimate episode as I set out to prove if it was possible for Newcastle to succeed despite Alan Shearer’s lengthy injury at the start of the 97/98 season. So far it has gone quite well. We made it out of the Champions League group and we’re in the top 6. We’re also still in both cups. That’s a good effort.

Here’s a reminder of the table before we move on

Struggling Crystal Palace are our first opponents of the update and Andreas Andersson is like a man possessed. Maybe it’s because his hair is modelled on Steve Parish but either way, we’re 3-0 up after 25 minutes. It’s actually 4-2 at half time in a crazy game but it’s a win and our good times roll on.

I mentioned in the intro we are still in both cups so our 4th round FA Cup tie with Barnsley is overshadowed by a 2 legged semi-final with Leeds in the League Cup. Regardless, Shearer sees off Barnsley and we’ll face Chelsea in round 5.

White Hart Lane means we will renew acquaintances with Sir Lesley Ferdinand, but Darren Peacock ensures he leaves on a stretcher. Klinsmann scores and Shearer equalises. It’s a good result with the semi final looming.

Leeds have a very strong defence as you may have noticed in the earlier league table. Shearer gives us the lead and all is going well until Peacock gets injured, possibly a result of karma for seeing off Big Les. Anyway, I’ve used both outfield subs so Shaka Hislop sidles on and Warren Barton goes to centre back – Shaka slots in up front sfter a re-shuffle. It’s probably unrelated but Hartson goes on to equalise. Boo.

Still, a 2nd leg at home should see us through. But Nigel Martyn is a nuisance. He saves everything we throw at him whilst Leeds score from a set piece thanks for David Lee, just signed from Chelsea. For goodness sake. Semi-final heartbreak.

On the plus side, we smashed Chelsea 4-0 in the FA Cup to make the quarters. Shearer’s really quite good you know.

We become rather adept at scoring 4, as Everton are put to the sword. Even one might have done against Leeds but we’ll look forwards rather than backwards.

Four again! The only surprise is that Shearer doesn’t get any of them. We survive a bit of a fightback but Staunton’s red card makes it an easier finish than we might expect.

As the calendar turns to March that means the Champions League is back. It is still remarkable that we are in it and I have to say Porto is probably the best draw we could get. A 2-0 lead is comfortable but 2-1 is less easy and leaves us vulnerable in Portugal.

The big games are coming thick and fast. Man Utd away in the FA Cup quarters is as tough as it gets, the champions elect will be heavy favourites. But they don’t have Bjarni Gudjonsson. The young Icelandic forward has had to take a backseat recently but he’s thrust in here for the banned Andersson and he gets the decisive goal. Wow. Semi finals again!

Of all the teams to get, Liverpool were the ones to avoid. That’ll be tough.

Our league form has been good but I think it’s a game of one too many as Chelsea come to town. Zola gives them an early lead and although Andersson does equalise, it’s backs to the wall for the remainder and I’m happy to escape with a point.

Three days later it’s Bolton. I have one eye on the 2nd leg of the Porto game but we just about get the job done. A wins a win.

With 9 games to go we’re in 4th, still, but a mile from 3rd and in a bit of danger from the chasing pack.

It’s a good season though, with an FA Cup semi final to come and hopefully a Champions League semi too. We have that slender 2-1 advantage but that means a 1-0 loss would send us out. We need to score. Luckily, we lead 1-0 early on and we relax, but Porto keep us honest with an equaliser on the night before half time. Shearer gets our 2nd away goal only for it to be cancelled out a minute later. Porto need 2 to qualify and thankfulyl can only manage 1. We’re through!

They broke John Barnes’ nose. Who would you want out of this lot?

No easy draw there. Monaco will be very tough indeed.

Monaco of course knocked Newcastle out of the UEFA Cup quarter finals the previous season. Revenge?

That seems unlikely. But we’ve surprised a few this season so let’s just see how it goes. See you for the finale!