Newcastle United could be just three points away from securing a Europa Conference League place if they beat West Ham at the London Stadium.
West Ham's haul of 56 points got them into Europe last season and Newcastle, sitting on 50 points with 11 games left, could reach that amount by the end of the week.
Indeed, the Hammers secured seventh place and 56 is a ballpark figure to earn a place in the lowest-ranked Continental competition next term. Of course, the Magpies have their eyes on bigger prizes but going into two crucial games in the capital at West Ham then Brentford at the weekend, they are edging ever closer to ticking one possible box in terms of Europe.
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When asked if Newcastle are on the brink of achieving something special - a first place in Europe for a decade - Howe told Chronicle Live: "Yeah, I think there is a feeling of positivity. It's a feeling of momentum off the back of three wins.
"We are entering a key stage of the season so I am sort of in that moment where things look good. But we can't look too far ahead.
"And we can't take our eye off the short-term which are these three massive games away from home. I just let the momentum and the positivity stay with us as we attack each game. But I don't see the point of me looking at the end line it's too far away."
Just 12 months ago Howe and his squad were battling off the threat of relegation in the Premier League. And that is something fans had became used to in the past 10 seasons.
With 50 points in the bag Newcastle are certainly safe this season when asked if he felt secure, Howe quipped: "Are we? I think so!
"Unless somebody tells me differently! Of course though we are right to look at everything. We're feeling very positive at the moment."
