Newcastle United defender Danny Simpson says the team has given themselves every chance of finishing in the top six.
The Magpies sit 10 points clear of seventh-placed Everton, with Liverpool a point further behind in eighth, with just seven matches remaining in the season.
Newcastle still have their sights set on finishing as high as possible but Simpson feels they have to be realistic with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea ahead of them in the queue for Champions League places.
"We have won the last three on the bounce now, and that's the first time we have done that this season.
"Maybe Liverpool will hopefully now give up and let them concentrate on the cup (FA Cup) they are in, but anything can happen in the league.
"We have got to stay focused. The gaffer said with 10 games to go: 'The season starts now, let's enjoy it and make the most of it'.
"We have started off with three wins on the bounce, so we have got to keep going, and we have got a good couple of games coming in.""We have given ourselves a great chance," said Simpson.
