His players disagree, but Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez would happily take promotion as runners-up to Brighton.
They trail the Seagulls by four points but it is the seven-point margin to third-placed Huddersfield which is of chief concern to Benitez.
‘Going up in second? That would be fine with me,’ said Benitez, whose side travel to Ipswich on Monday.
Midfielder Isaac Hayden, however, has a different take. ‘Finishing first always matters, doesn’t it?’ he said.
‘As much as you want to say it doesn’t matter or promotion is the main thing, and of course it is, but I think there will be a little bit of a sour taste if we weren’t to go on and win the title.