Matt Ritchie believes Newcastle United have put themselves into a strong position to ensure this is remembered as a "positive" campaign as they head into the final six weeks of the season.
The Magpies are 13th in the Premier League, having claimed 10 points from the last 15 available, and travel to the Emirates on Monday night to take on fourth-placed Arsenal.
With seven games remaining, United have an excellent opportunity to secure their top-flight status early, and potentially challenge for another mid-table finish.
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And, while Ritchie is adamant the Magpies will not become complacent as far as survival is concerned, he insists the comeback victory against Everton and the last-gasp draw at AFC Bournemouth last time out have helped put Newcastle in a position where they can start looking up the table, rather than merely peering back down to the teams below.
"We were really pleased to get the late point at Bournemouth, and hopefully we can build on that because we're in a good position in the table now," the 29-year-old told nufcTV.
"We need to continue to perform well, with the same intensity and desire to finish as high as we possibly can in the Premier League.
"Yes, we have to be aware that we're not safe just yet, but if we have a positive mentality, a positive mindset and with positive thinking, we can certainly have a good season."
With Newcastle's match at Arsenal not taking place until Monday night, all of the Magpies' relegation rivals will have played before United take to the field.
And Ritchie recognises that some of those teams below them in the table could spring a surprise by claiming a positive result, and so Rafa Benitez's side must merely focus on themselves, rather than worrying about fixtures taking place elsewhere this weekend.
"You look both ways. Don't get me wrong, you look over you shoulder and think: 'Maybe we'll be OK.' But you never know in this game," Ritchie added.
"You just never know. Southampton beat Tottenham at home earlier this month. You just never know, and that's why the Premier League is the best league in the world."
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