Callum Wilson has ordered Newcastle to axe the “complacency”and become a top ten club again.
The striker reckons Steve Bruce's side took the foot off the gas against Arsenal at the weekend when they were outplayed in a tame defeat.
The Geordies had been on a good run getting to the brink of avoiding relegation, a feat that can be confirmed with a win against Leicester City on Friday night.
But Wilson, who says a hamstring injury in February ruined his outside England Euro chances, blasted: “If we are honest having picked up some points, sometimes complacency can creep in.
“We have to be consistent with our performances. We have to get back on track. Next season we start fresh and go for a top ten finish, minimum standard.
“We have worked hard all season and it has not gone as we'd have liked it too, we've not got as many points as we'd like. We can get over 40 points and focus on next season.”
The £20m summer signing has rated his own performance this season as OK, hampered by injury which sidelined him for two months.
In February, after scoring twice away to Everton, Wilson “had one eye on the international squad” but was crocked in the win against Southampton.
He explained: “I am on ten goals. I am disappointed with that and wanted more, but have to accept I got injured.
“I'd say it has been OK. I am pleased with where I am at when I have played. Ten goals, five assists is good numbers for a striker.
“Now is a chance to pick up more goals and finish close to 15-20 as possible. Ten is OK but not where I want to be at. I had a setback, but you take what is given to you.
“I feel good. I have been training for 4-5 weeks. I was on the bench a few games. First game was understandable. After that you want to contribute and wanted to start. I was disappointed.”
Bruce's side have a big incentive against Leicester, with Wilson adding: “For us we have gone head to head with Liverpool, Spurs and West Ham who are having good seasons. We have to believe we can win the game.
“It is massive. You couldn't have a bigger incentive (to stay up).”
Boss Bruce says all Newcastle decisions are “on hold” until the end of the season. Fab Schar has extended his contract, Andy Carroll will leave and Bruce says there “won't be a huge extravaganza of money sloshing around,” to revamp the team.
Bruce added: "We are healthier than six weeks ago. For that I am delighted. It is in our hands. We couldn't have wished for games more difficult than the next two.
"Can we get close to the 44 points that we got last year? We have had a decent run, four to go and let's finish as high as we can.
Responding to Brendan Rodgers' praise of the job he's done this season, Bruce said: “I would never say outstanding success. We have to accept where we are.
“We have been near the bottom of the Premier League too log. Can we progress? Get better. Improve slightly. That takes time. I wouldn't say it's outstanding.”
