Newcastle United have a long way to go in Europe. Indeed, while few would doubt Newcastle gave a good showing of themselves through a particularly difficult Champions League group stage campaign, it doesn’t necessarily help soften the blow. Eddie Howe’s side threw the game away against AC Milan on Wednesday, losing despite taking the lead and duly falling out of all European competition for the season. It proved a pretty sour end to a European journey that had, at times at least, offered so much promise. Thankfully, the club have ambitious owners in PIF. An early exit is a short-term blow for …