Eddie Howe has insisted Newcastle won't be "hunted down" by Liverpool and Manchester United.
The high-flying Geordies need two wins, at home to Brighton and Leicester, in the next five days to secure a top four spot and a £70million Champions League berth. But Liverpool's seven-game winning streak has piled on the pressure, with the Old Trafford giants also just behind in fourth.
Howe says the finale to the season should remind his stars of how they felt when they were kids - desperate to be involved in cup finals. Kop boss Jurgen Klopp said this week that: "Newcastle and United would be happy if we would not be there any more."
Howe said: "I don't feel like we're being hunted. I don't feel that emotion. It's us against ourselves, really. That's how I see it. It's us trying to be the best we can be. I've not focused on any other team all season. I knew Liverpool were never far away because they are a top team and they are capable of going on runs of wins.
"They are very similar to Manchester City where they can win a group of games without blinking. We can't look at it or compare ourselves to Liverpool. Whenever you want something really badly, the hardest bit is to actually finally get there. I can't give you any more than that. There's no science behind it. Whenever you want something in life, and it's a big achievement, it's not easy to do."
Newcastle want to avoid having to go to Chelsea on the last day of the season needing a win. Leicester visit St James's Park next Monday night, after their rivals play.
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Howe added: "Is it our biggest week? Possibly. It's difficult to bracket it. I am aware of the importance of every game. There is huge competition for the top four. I knew there would be with quality we're competing against. We are prepared for that. This is going to be the hardest bit and we have to pull together to achieve it.
"When you play football as kids the cup finals are the ones you want to play in. As a player or manager, the night before the senses are heightened. This is what you train for. It has to be that mentality: I can’t wait to show how good we are. You don't need to motivate the players. But there is always a message to convey, tactical or psychological, that can help."
Howe has tactical issues to solve with Sean Longstaff 's foot injury still ruling him out, with Joelinton covering for him, causing disruption to the powerful left side of the team. Elliot Anderson is an option. He said: "We have to use the positive energy we have created this season. We have come from nowhere.
"I think the supporters have led this year. I know what we will get. A totally united crowd, an incredible feeling under the lights. It's hard to sustain that, so we have to make sure the crowd is engaged the whole game, with determination and will to win. The players have been very calm. I have not seen anyone over emotional. I am confident we will handle the situation mentally."
