Eddie Howe is refusing to accept Newcastle United are facing the Premier League's crisis club this weekend against Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs parted company with Antonio Conte last month and have since been plunged into a fresh political turmoil. Chairman Daniel Levy was the target of chants for him to go and lamposts on the Seven Sisters Road have had "Levy Out" slapped on them throughout the season.
The Spurs supremo has expressed concerns about Newcastle's wealthy new Saudi backers since the takeover went through. But now finds his club in a battle for fourth spot.
READ MORE: Eddie Howe expecting £45million star to become 'top player' with Newcastle
Slipping into the Europa League would be a disaster for under pressure Levy and Spurs. After Tottenham capitulated to Bournemouth last weekend, they missed the chance to close the gap on Newcastle just hours after they'd put in their worst performance of the season.
So with Spurs on the ropes, and with lame duck boss Cristian Stellini in charge, can Newcastle take advantage of things?
Howe said: "I don't see that. I see a team full of high-quality international players.
"They are very well coached and managed. So we can't underestimate Tottenham for a second. We need to be at our very best as we were at their stadium earlier in the season."
Howe feels that the home crowd can be the difference at St James' Park. He said: "We're playing one of our competitors in the league so it's a big moment in our season.
"We're pleased to be at home and hopefully we can feel the force of the crowd. This week we certainly need everyone united in the game which I'm sure we will be, and hopefully we can respond to last week's disappointment."
READ NEXT
- Newcastle Amazon Prime documentary to focus Staveley's incredible turnaround
- Eddie Howe's 'level headed' approach with Newcastle in aftermath of Villa defeat
- Big Eddie Howe defensive call with Matt Targett knocking on door for a start
- Miguel Almiron fitness call will pay dividends for Newcastle in run-in
- The Newcastle United transfer bonus up for grabs in this year's relegation battle
