Alan Pardew: “I haven’t raised my targets yet.
“Are we (title) contenders? No.
"We have had a great start and shown lots of sides to our team in the last ten games. We are now only talking about Everton, and no further than that.
“I did say that ten games would be an indicator of what sort of team we would be, and I think that is a good barometer.
"But because of the next month in front of us, perhaps it gives me a little bit more breathing space to find out.
“Now, we are obviously going into a run against the real quality sides in the division. After that, I think we’ll know a little bit more. But we’ve certainly proven we are a decent side.”
“I really don’t sense that the supporters have unrealistic expectations. When I’ve been in and around fans and in and around the city, most of the people are just really pleased with the way things are going.
"There’s a pride and maybe this team has gone a long way towards putting a spring back in everyone’s step in the city.
“But I don’t see people thinking we are going to be Champions League material or a top-four team. I don’t see that pressure building.
“Maybe it will if we are still in this position with two months of the season to go, but not at the moment, no.
“The aim is to get to the Manchester City game unbeaten and that would be a coup.”
Source: FOOTYMAD
