Matt Ritchie insists Newcastle United are eyeing to better their previous season’s position rather indulging into the relegation saving battle.
Four wins in the last six matches have changed their mindset and the Magpies certainly fancy a place in the upper half of the table. Relegation might not be looming any more but the Tynesiders cannot heave a sigh of relief as they are just six points adrift of 18th placed Cardiff City and any casualties in the next matches could create a whole lot of problems for them.
Ritchie had pointed out earlier that they do have the firepower to grab a place in the top half and he has again echoed that. “I’ve been told we’re two points better off than at the same stage last season so of course, it is possible.
“Every season, your aim is to improve on the previous on. No one really believed me back in August when I came out and said our aim was to finish higher than last season.
“We had a fantastic year and everyone was telling us we overachieved but look, within the group, we didn’t think that. The league table does not lie and we deserved that.
“I’m not getting carried away, there are some tough, tough games ahead, a lot of work to do to continue to perform as well as we have been doing. Hopefully with that, will come the wins we need to keep climbing the table.”
