Being a pundit is not a job to be underestimated.
You are consistently asked to provide expert opinion and make predictions over what you see in front of you.
There were not too many clubs spoken about more than Newcastle United last season after the Magpies endured nine months of contrasting emotions and fortunes.
An underwhelming summer in the transfer market proved to be the catalyst for an abysmal start to the season under former manager Steve Bruce as his side failed to win in their opening 13 games.
But the whole landscape changed when a long-awaited, drawn-out PIF-led takeover was finally completed on a remarkable day in October.
After overseeing the first game of the new era, Bruce departed and Eddie Howe was named as his successor following Graeme Jones’ short spell as caretaker manager.
Slowly but surely, the Magpies found their feet, players improved under Howe and a much-needed boost was delivered by a successful venture during the January transfer window.
Safety was secured in March and United went on to finish the season in 11th place in the table to become the first club in Premier League history to avoid relegation after not winning in their first 13 games.
So what of the predictions that were made and the opinions that were delivered earlier in the campaign.
NewcastleWorld takes a look at some of the most memorable...
1. Simon Jordan on the proposed takeover
SEPTEMBER 2021 - “This idea of Newcastle being bought by the PIF fund is deader than a dead thing from dead land. It’s only the people that want to keep it running for its own motivations – whether that’s Amanda Staveley because she wants to save face of the deal she’s manufactured or whether it’s Newcastle fans wishing and wanting.” Photo: Steven Paston
2. Jason Cundy ‘would love’ to see the Magpies relegated
OCTOBER 2021 - “They are now a threat to the big four – Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and United. It worries me. I would love nothing more than to see them get relegated this season.” Photo: Stu Forster
3. Bruce backed by Danny Murphy
OCTOBER 2021 - “I think they’ve got a manager in charge who has been there, done it at the lower echelons of the Premier League and dealt with that scenario before, even at Newcastle. So is there someone out there who is going to be more equipped to do the job than Steve Bruce?” Photo: BBC
4. Lee Hendrie has doubts over Eddie Howe
OCTOBER 2021 - “When they’re looking at Eddie Howe, he hasn’t been in a job for a while. I think they’re scrapping around the surface to try and get someone in.” Photo: Getty Images