Eddie Howe has quipped it is a 'waste of time' to calculate when Newcastle United could qualify for the Champions League as the Magpies boss is simply targeting as many points as possible.
Newcastle strengthened their grip on a place in the top four following a 4-1 win against Everton at Goodison Park on Thursday night. Newcastle are now eight points clear of fifth-placed Spurs with a game in hand and a superior goal difference to boot. No wonder Callum Wilson acknowledged 'it's getting closer' after the striker's double against the Toffees helped keep his side third.
There are still six fixtures to go, of course, but four of in-form Newcastle's matches are at St James' Park, where Howe's side have lost just one game all season. Just a few more wins will be enough to secure Newcastle's return to Europe's top table for the first time since 2003.
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However, players and staff are not getting bogged down in how many victories will be needed to achieve their dream or what impact results elsewhere at Spurs and Liverpool could have. Howe is continuing to just take one game at a time, starting with the visit of relegation-threatened Southampton on Sunday, as Newcastle target maximum points in the run-in.
"I'd say that's a waste of time with your calculators but if you want to do it, that's fine!" the Newcastle boss told reporters. "For us, it's just onto the next game.
"Can we win our next match? Can we get as many points as possible and then see where we are at the end of the season.'"
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