Newcastle United began the campaign riding the crest of a wave, with European football secured under the guidance of Alan Pardew thanks to a brilliant end to last season.

The Magpies were relatively quiet in the transfer market, but did use their extensive European scouting network to secure the services of Dutch midfielder Vurnon Anita.

Pardew's men have been blighted by injuries and inconsistency so far this season, with a promising Europa League run providing a welcome distraction during a bleak winter.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the Toon's quest to match last season's exploits.

August

Newcastle opened the season by condemning new Tottenham Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas to defeat in his first match in charge. Hatem Ben Arfa's late penalty settled a tight contest between European contenders.

Safe passage to the Europa League group stages was sandwiched by a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge against an in-form Chelsea.

September

Ben Arfa came to the rescue again as the Toon kicked off September, scoring a 25-yard stunner to save a point at home to Aston Villa.

A frantic four-goal thriller followed at Goodison Park, with a Demba Ba brace securing the Magpies a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

Newcastle's League Cup campaign ended quickly despite Papiss Cisse opening his account in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

Ba bagged three more before the month was out, scoring the winner at home to Norwich City before a double ensured that September ended with a 2-2 draw at Reading.

October

A 3-0 cruise past Bordeaux kickstarted Newcastle's Europa League campaign, but a defeat at home to Manchester United by the same scoreline continued their indifferent league form.

The season's first Tyne-Wear derby started brilliantly for the Magpies, with Yohan Cabaye opening the scoring at the Stadium of Light. A 1-1 draw at full time scarcely told the story of a pulsating match, which saw Chieck Tiote sent off after just 25 minutes.

Newcastle rounded off October with back-to-back victories against Club Brugge and West Bromwich Albion, with the latter coming courtesy of a stoppage-time deflection from Cisse.

November

Pardew's side failed to win any of their five Premier League games during a miserable November. Luis Suarez denied them victory at Anfield before former Magpie Kevin Nolan came back to haunt them for West Ham United.

A further home defeat to Swansea City followed before a surprise 2-0 loss at Southampton. Their barren run looked to be coming to an end at Stoke City before two goals in the last 10 minutes condemned Newcastle to a fourth straight league defeat.

Europe offered the Toon faithful some relief, with successive score draws against Brugge and Maritimo securing a place in the knockout stages.

December

Ba was back on form to help end Newcastle's winless run at home to Wigan Athletic to kick off December. The 3-0 win also featured Gael Bigirimana's first goal for the club, a strike from distance.

Hopes of an upturn in form were quickly dashed by three successive defeats, to Fulham, Bordeaux and Manchester City.

Shola Ameobi came up trumps to stop the rot at St James' Park, scoring a vital late winner at home against Queens Park Rangers.

A difficult first half of the season was typified by a Boxing Day goalfest at Old Trafford, where Newcastle led three times before succumbing to a last-gasp winner from Javier Hernandez.

A rollercoaster 4-3 defeat leaves the Magpies languishing in 15th place, five points above the relegation zone and a whopping 13 away from European contention.