Allan Saint-Maximin has told Newcastle it's “not enough to only have a good team.”
The French winger has insisted he wants to “go up” with the club, after boss Steve Bruce insisted the club would be mad to sell him this summer.
But £50m-rated Saint-Maximin has insisted Mike Ashley's outfit should be better than fighting to avoid relegation every season.
Newcastle a fourth bottom and need a win at Leicester on Friday to secure their top flight status.
Saint-Maximin has been United's talisman since returning from a groin strain, adding an unpredictable threat up front and scoring the winner against Burnley.
He is contracted to Newcastle until 2026 and said: “My ambition is to go up with the club.
“We have a good team, you know, but in the Premier League, it's not enough to only have a good team. Every team has some good players and plays well.
“This is sometimes hard, but for my future, I know I need to play in the team and play good football. That is why I try to do everything in Newcastle to play better.
“I hope we don't fight again not to go down. For me, Newcastle should not have to fight for this.”
Saint-Maximin reckons he can be most influential as a No10 rather than on the wing. He added: “I am really happy. If you see when I play in my position, number ten, it is easier for me to help my team to play good football. That's why I hope to keep playing in my position.”
The 24-year-old has been given some rough treatment from defenders this season and is often targeted for an early kicking.
He has appealed for referees to help him, saying: “All my career has been like this. But more in the Premier League. I get more tackles, more everything, so it is difficult. When you play difficult games, if you get kicked you feel tired and it is hard, it is difficult to start every game.
“I try to be stronger, but sometimes if it is a bad tackle.... It is only the referee that can help me.”
