Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has stated that finishing in the top four is a realistic aim for his side this season.

The Tyneside outfit have surpassed all expectations this term and are currently equal on points with fourth-placed Tottenham.

With only a handful of games left to play, the Sports Direct Arena supremo is targeting Champions League qualification.

“I definitely think that we would really have achieved something special if we finish fifth or sixth,” he told The Telegraph.

“Any higher than that would be astounding, really, for a new team to have done what they’ve done. And we’ve got a great chance.

“The more weeks go past, the bigger that chance seems to get and we’ve got a home game now [against Stoke] and we need to win that. Come Saturday night, after Tottenham’s game, we could find ourselves in an even greater position than we are today.

“We’re batting well above our level in terms of the salaries and fees these other clubs have paid. We shouldn’t be anywhere near them, but we are.

“I haven’t really touched on the Champions League before and I am touching on it now, for sure. It would be silly not to,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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