Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce admits this season has fallen short of expectations.
The Magpies head into Sunday's home clash with Arsenal having significantly eased their relegation fears with two wins and two draws in their last four games, and with Bruce looking to equal, if not better, the 44 points and 13th place his side managed at the end of the last campaign.
Asked what hitting his target would mean, Bruce replied: "Look, it's not a success, but with the problems we've had...we've been in the bottom half of the division now for a number of years, that's where we are at this particular moment.
"If we can match last year, where we got to, then I think we would all accept that would be, considering the problems we've had, acceptable.
"Can we finish above where we did last year? I doubt it, but considering the problems we've had this year, then I would be delighted if we could get there."
