Eddie Howe says he is "confident" Newcastle United can pull off the great escape in the Premier League this season.
When Howe arrived in November the Magpies were five points adrift of safety and the former AFC Bournemouth boss warned that there could be "no guarantees" of survival.
But after slicing the gap down to just a solitary point - with Norwich above them - Howe's mood has been boosted by the win over Leeds and good work in the transfer market.
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Howe told Chronicle Live: "I am really positive about our situation at the moment.
"Because of the last few performances we have given.
"You can go back to Man United, OK we will take the FA Cup game aside which was disappointing, Watford elements were OK and of course, Leeds was very good.
"I am very positive and enthusiastic that we can stay in the division."
Howe also reflected on the state of his squad and knows that competition for places is currently bubbling away.
He said: "The squad looks stronger, the mentality looks stronger and I have been really and genuinely pleased with the performances.
"We know that the one result against Leeds can't be an isolated thing.
"We have to build consistency and results into our game.
"We are absolutely determined to make sure that is what happens.
"But we know we have huge matches to come, we're very positive."
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