But it's back to reality, and the prospect of Old Trafford on the opening day of the new campaign.
Sam Allardyce struck lucky last term, not facing a Top Four club four months, until we played Liverpool on November 24th.
The idea was for us to get into the top six before the tough fixtures kicked in at Christmas. As it happens the Big Sam had us hovering above the relegation zone ... and when the tough period arrived ... Sam was on his bike.
Poor Keegan has no such luck, Newcastle have been handed the hardest possible start to the new season with an opening-day trip to champions Manchester United and the next away game after that is Arsenal!