Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has given a realistic impression of what he expected from this season.
The Magpies are in contention to qualify for next season's Champions League.
They sit in third place in the Premier League, but take on high flying Brighton at home on Thursday.
Speaking pre-game, Howe said: "At the start of the season, when you take yourself back, I think I sat in this room and I said it was about making sure we weren't fighting relegation.
"It was making sure we evolved and improved the team enough to be stable in the Premier League and then looking to grow the team the following seasons.
"We've certainly surpassed that and we're in a position where we have three games (left).
To take that position at the start of the season where it's in our control means everything at this moment in time. The hard bit is to get over the line and win the games but that's what we'll try to do."