Now is the time to dig deep and focus.

FA Cup weekend is here, which means that Newcastle have a weekend off thanks to that defeat at Stevenage at the start of the year.

Of course it is disappointing to not be involved in a match, and I hate it when Newcastle aren't playing on a weekend, but there is a case to put forward that suggests that this brief respite could actually be a good thing given the circumstances. The circumstance that I am talking about on this occasion is the Premier League run in.

In a way, the fact that I can even contemplate writing this is testament to just how well the team has done so far this season, but with only eleven games left there is a real chance that Newcastle could be pushing for a top seven finish, maybe even top six at a stretch.

This rest will allow the players to rest up and heal some wounds in preparation for a run of games that could see us build on what we have already achieved. If luck goes our way then European qualification could drop down to seventh place, and if a bit more luck goes our way we could very well sneak it.

I've had a look at our run in, and I've compared it to the run in of other teams, and ours isn't actually any worse than that of other teams. If the lads can keep doing what they are doing then why shouldn't they aim for a top seven place?

Hopelessly positive? Deluded? Probably, but at least we can be in with a shout and I'm sure that there are other, more established, Premier League teams that would love to be able to say that right about now!

The win at Birmingham was a very important result. It eased the pressure a little bit and has made it pretty certain that we will now survive. Now that is almost done we should be looking to push on and finish as high as we can.

We now have back to back home game against Bolton (if you'll be at the game then I'll have a pint with you!) and Everton coming up, and if we can take maximum points it would put us above Bolton and into eighth place. Sunderland, currently in seventh place, have Everton and Arsenal away and they are only two points in front us depite their financial muscle 😆 and all round massiveness :roll:

I've 'kept things real' all season long, and I intend to continue doing that. Europe would be an absolutely stunning achievement for this newly promoted side that was branded as not good enough by press, pundits, and even some of it's own fans, but it could be a very real prospect with a bit of luck.

Do you dare to dream?