Pardew sets three-year target

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admits he is aiming for a place in Europe or to win a trophy within the next three years.

Europe or silverware the aim for Newcastle manager

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admits he is aiming to secure a place in Europe or win a trophy within the next three years. The Magpies have progressed in each of their last three seasons and are now facing the possibility of finishing in a Europa League place this term. Pardew's side are sixth ahead of Sunday's meeting with Liverpool at St James' Park and could move 11 points clear of their Merseyside rivals. Newcastle managed a 12th placed finish last season upon their return to the top flight and have been consistently strong at home. Finishing in sixth place would secure a Europa League spot for next season and Pardew is focused on reaching that goal.

Competing

He said: "You want to be in there competing, and we have done that. "Whether we get a European place will probably be decided by fate more than anything. We have had a great season regardless of the European spot, and we want to do that again next year. "By hook or by crook, in the next three years it would be nice to get some sort of European football or win a trophy. That's the goal. "We won't get Champions League football (this season), I just think that's too big a gap to bridge - five points on Spurs, and Arsenal are probably away from us now. "It's too much, they are too good teams to catch with eight games left."