17th or 6th - what's the difference? £33.4 million is the difference or 2 NFL games and 1 Beyonce concert... but what 6th didn't get you is the opportunity to play Champions League football by winning the Europa League but I'm guessing 6th, no trophy and Europa League qualification is you're preferred option. With our depleted squad, Ange made a decision. He felt that we couldn't fight on all fronts so he cut his cloth and it paid off. I saw someone, maybe it was you argue that Newcastle did both. Won a trophy and finished in the Champions League place. They did do exactly that, but they did it without having to play European football so they had no tough decisions to make on what to sacrifice so it's not a true reflection. Look at the year before... Newcastle played Champions League and finished bottom of their group, finished 7th in the league and didn't make it past the QF of both domestic cups largely due to the fact Eddie Howe tried to prioritise the Champions League but by doing them, their early league form suffered. My guess is that you think that is a good season.