Call it reverse psychology, but Rafa Benitez has revealed he's not looking up the table but more over his shoulder despite Newcastle's impressive start to life back in the top flight.
No team has ever been relegated from the Premier League after winning three of their first five games, a feat Benitez's side achieved with a third consecutive victory against Stoke City.
Newcastle's swift acclimatisation has led to rising hopes among supporters of maintaining the fourth place the Geordies occupied going into the weekend. Ever the realist, Benitez has more immediate aims before any thoughts of helping to recreate the memorable Champions League nights of yesteryear at St James' Park.