Newcastle United are on a terrific run _ unbeaten this year in the Premier League, 10 points out of the last 12, and confidence soaring.
Which is why I want them to strike while the iron is hot by winning their next two matches! A tall ask? Why?
Brentford are on a desperate run and must really be worried about Newcastle even though they are at home. Then it's Brighton up here and the Seagulls had their wings well and truly clipped by Burnley 3-0.
Go here for all the latest Newcastle United news
The six points on top of what we already have would put the fear of relegation to bed.
I want that to happen way before the end of the season because United finish with Liverpool at home, Manchester City away, Arsenal home and Burnley away.
I know things often get sorted before the actual run-in but Liverpool and Man City can be scrapping it out for the title, Arsenal to consolidate a top four finish, and Burnley and us still locked in a relegation scrap.
Heaven forbid because it would really be dog eats dog though I've a feeling that both clubs will be safe before the last day.
Brentford and Leeds are the two sides on a slippery slope and Newcastle can emphasise that come Saturday afternoon.
What I loved about the Magpies at West Ham was that for just about the first time this season they had more possession than the opposition. This despite playing away against a top six side.
It speaks volumes for Eddie Howe and the massive change he has made since his arrival. United used to be chasing, chasing, chasing the opposition and the game whether at home or away.
Here they dominated for long periods and played some great stuff. The midfield both individually and collectively did ever so well.
I must offer an apology right here and now to Joelinton. In my desire to get Bruno Guimaraes into the side I stated in my column last week that I would drop Big Joe. Well, he was terrific!
I accepted that he had been playing well but I felt he was not achieving all he could so in a tough world where someone had to go I felt it could easily be him.
Here he was more more positive and imposed himself on the game. But then so did Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock. Shelvey had irritated me to the heavens over the last two years but here he dedicated himself to what was best for Newcastle and was excellent. Meanwhile Willock scored a cheeky equaliser to get back on the goal standard and was a constant threat.
I cannot pay the three a bigger compliment than say United steamrollered a West Ham midfield that included top players like Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen. They didn't do it physically but with surging play.
Howe has changed so much since the bad old days of Steve Bruce. He was so cautious tactically and suggested that with the players he had at his disposal it was the only way United could play if they wanted to survive.
Well Howe had gone from a back five to a flat four and United are still tighter than they were. I thought they were rock solid against the Hammers apart from one rare moment when they scored from a set piece badly given away and poorly marked.
Dan Burn has been a revelation by doing the simple things well. Nothing more.
What you see is what you get and the guy alongside him knows exactly what will happen. Fabian Schar as a consequence looks a different player, more confident and so cutting down on mistakes.
Long may it all continue... especially against the two Bs, Brentford and Brighton, which would set us up nicely.
For the latest Newcastle news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
