Martin Dubravka has urged Newcastle United to dream big in the last three games of the season - even if a repeat of last year's top 10 finish now looks out of reach.
United are seven points behind 10th place Wolverhampton Wanderers, and some bookmakers have stopped issuing odds for such a possiblity.
BetFair Exchange are serving up odds of 41/1 for Newcastle to win their last three games and clinch a top half finish.
But with games away to Brighton and Fulham and a home clash against title contenders Liverpool, this must be deemed a big ask.
United are trailing 11th placed West Ham by two points and are just one point behind Crystal Palace in 12th.
That 12th placed spot is actually the squad's seasonal target (to finish at least 12th) and United players are in the mood for a strong finish.
When asked if they could finish 10th, Dubravka told the Chronicle: "It is going to be hard.
"But you have to remember we had so many tough fixtures where we lost so many points.
"After that we have picked up a lot of points away from home.
"That was important for us mentally.
"But who knows?
"Why not try to go higher.
"We should go for it."
Newcastle's win over Southampton last weekend confirmed their place in the Premier League for next season.
Dubravka reflected: "We spoke about winning against Southampton last week.
"Now we are talking about looking forward and looking higher.
"We can only do that if we finish the season like we played in the first half vs Southampton.
"We deserved it against Southampton especially in the first half as we played very well.
"In the second half they changed formation so we had to react as they put us under pressure.
"When we got the third goal it made us calmer.
"It was nervous in the last 30 minutes.
"It was a tough game because we knew Southampton would put more pressure on us.
"They are also in a bad situation.
"They opened the pitch up and we had some work to do and in the second half."
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Dubravka put in a polished display against the Saints and made a stunning save to deny Maya Yoshida in the closing stages.
Looking back he said: "It was just a reaction save.
"I am glad that I could save it just so I could help the guys.
"You can see we are a unit and we play as a team.
"We needed the defenders doing well at Leicester and that helped me a lot so I tried to help them against Southampton.
"Ayoze got a hat-trick and he did an amazing job.
"All of the players played well and gave 100%.
"It's great for us."
The game could have opened up much earlier last week had referee Anthony Taylor opted to issue a red card for James Ward-Prowse after a foul on Miguel Almiron.
Dubravka said: "Everybody shouted for a red for the challenge Almiron.
"From my angle Perez and Rondon.
"It is a difficult situation but the referee decided to go with a yellow card.
"That's his decision but it didn't matter because we won the game."
