Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew says they should be consistently finishing in the top ten.
Only nine times have they enjoyed a top-half finish but Pardew nevertheless feels that should be the norm for a club of the Magpies' size.
"It you take the pressure of the Europa League out of the equation, there is no reason why we shouldn't be aiming for that every year," he said.
"I always saw top 10 as a realistic target this time - but even then, I was looking for more.
"The important thing for us now is to stay on the coat-tails of the leading group, which is pushing us on and making it such a good league this year.
"If we're still with them at the end of January, that would put us in a great position."
