Newcastle United have only lost four league games this season. To put that return into perspective, the Magpies suffered nearly four times as many losses in the top-flight during the whole of the previous campaign.
Yet there is a reason why Eddie Howe warned 'no one is ever safe' following Saturday's 3-0 loss against Villa - and that goes far beyond the team he picks against Spurs this weekend. Yes, these players have helped Newcastle move ahead of schedule, in fourth place, but they know they are still fighting for their futures at the club.
That is why so much is still riding on the final eight matches of the campaign. Not only will these fixtures decide whether Newcastle qualify for the Champions League - they will also help inform what Howe does this summer.
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Howe has worked with many of the current group for nearly 18 months now, but the Magpies head coach is constantly making fresh assessments based on what he is seeing in training and in games. Just as players can change Howe's mind, so, too, can they inadvertently help him realise that their position needs strengthening.
As well as the group have done - Howe feels the squad is much stronger than he did at the start of the campaign - there is a recognition that the team will have to evolve once again to take the next step. Just as it did last summer.
A year or so ago, for instance, Jonjo Shelvey and Chris Wood were starters. So too were Martin Dubravka, Matt Targett and Ryan Fraser. for that matter That Fraser lined up for the under-23s against Norwich City on Monday shows how quickly things can change after a winger Howe 'loved' was banished to the academy building because the Newcastle boss wanted to 'concentrate on the players that are committed' to the club.
It is a reminder that Howe won't shirk some emotional calls in the coming months. In fact, Howe already has an idea of what he wants when the window opens and the Newcastle head coach has started watching targets and doing his research.
Yet, regardless of where Newcastle finish this season, this won't be a summer where the black-and-whites make seven or eight signings. The emphasis will again be on evolution rather than revolution and bringing in 'elite' quality that can actually improve the squad.
That takes a lot of planning - Newcastle's recruitment team have been preparing for the summer for several months now - but the club are also conscious of the need to be reactive. A quality player could suddenly become available at a more affordable price if his side are relegated, for example, like Nick Pope did last summer, while an injury could change the club's plans as it did when Callum Wilson pulled up last August. Wilson's hamstring injury resulted in Newcastle changing the profile of attacker they moved for and the Magpies ultimately abandoned a deal for Watford star Joao Pedro and returned to the table for Alexander Isak.
These internationals have helped Newcastle progress this season and Howe's side will need further quality to move to the next level. Glancing at the squad, you could easily make a case for a new left-back, a centre-back, a holding midfielder and a goal scoring wide forward this summer.
These signings would not be cheap, but finishing in the top four would enable Newcastle to have a bigger budget and further scope to attract more quality. That is quite the carrot.
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