Has 2012 been a good year for Newcastle United?

Newcastle United have had a topsy turvy 2012 - As it comes to a close, we ask, has it been a good one?

Newcastle currently sit in 15th place in the Premier League, and a loss to QPR this weekend will be another real setback.

There is an underlying fear that the club could suddenly be dragged into a relegation scrap- They are just two points ahead of Wigan in 18th place - Even with the immense talent at their disposal.

It is a sudden change in perspective from the side which was battling for a Champions League place in the spring, and finish in fifth position; their highest finish in almost a decade.

The change in fortunes is stark, and so the club now need to hope their recent decline is just a temporary glitch.

Here are the high points and low points...

Highs...

- Papiss Cisses' signing and superb impact, 13 goals in 15 games.

- Papiss Cisse's incredible goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

- Hatem Ben Arfa's wondergoals.

- Newcastle hang onto all of their star names, tying Krul and Coloccini down to new contracts.

- Champions League push- At one point it really did seem as though the Toon could do it.

- Qualifying for and playing in the Europa League, and progressing to the last 32.

- However bad it gets, Sunderland are worse.

Lows...

- Long-term injuries suffered by Ryan Taylor and Yohan Cabaye.

- Demba Ba's lack of commitment to signing a new deal and flirtation with other clubs.

- Rumours over Andy Carroll returning to the club keep swirling.

- Low league position may leave club sweating over top stars in January.

- Cheik Tiote's constant injury niggles.

- Papiss Cisse's poor form this season looking like a shadow of the player the previous season.

In between:

Alan Pardew handed an eight-year deal - Is this a positive or negative?!

So has this year been a good one for Newcastle? We want you to tell us. What is your opinion of the team's fortunes in 2012?

Dan Coombs

@hitcdancoombs Google+more stories from Dan Coombs

Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.

As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.

He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.