Rafael Benitez has urged his Newcastle players to stay grounded after their 2-1 victory over Burnley on Monday night extended their winning run to three matches and lifted the side to 13th in the Premier League table.
And he says they must carry on winning games.
The Magpies have now taken nine points from their last three matches, having taking just three from their previous 10.
Talk of a crisis on Tyneside is beginning to subside, but Benitez was eager to remind his players of the work that still needs to be done.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Spaniard said: “I have said before it will be a long running race. It is long distance so we have to carry on.
“Now we have won three in a row. What does that mean? Nothing.
“We’re happier and have more confidence, but we still have to keep winning games if we want to stay up.
“It is the same message now as when we were losing. Keep going, keep doing things in the same way.”
The Magpies host West Ham at St. James’ Park in a clash that could see them open up a seven point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
Opinion
Newcastle had to start winning at some point. They’ve threatened to do so on numerous occasions this season, but through a combination of bad luck and a lack of ruthlessness have come up short far too often. The feeling was that once they managed to get that vital first win under their belt things might begin to snowball for them, and that has proven to be the case. Benitez’s quality as a manager has shone through since the day he took the helm at St. James’ Park and for the most part has papered over some pretty glaring cracks in what is ultimately a relatively poor squad. For that reason alone, he is probably right to call for caution and realism, as he will will know better than anybody that this purple patch cannot continue forever. Chances are that Newcastle will still be in a relegation battle to some extent this season, and when the Magpies do falter it would be prudent of Benitez to have already instilled an awareness of their limitations into their fanbase.