WHEN it comes to talking about Champions League places this season, the usual suspects like Liverpool, Arsenal, Leeds and Manchester United are always the first names mentioned.

Newcastle, however, are still seen as pretenders at the top - despite being level on points with Arsenal ahead of tomorrow night's clash at Highbury.

But you won't hear many grumblings about that from St James' Park and Gary Speed, who hit the winner on Saturday, is more than happy to keep it that way "No-one's mentioned us," said Speed. "Whenever they mention the big lot they never mention Newcastle.

"That's great by us. We've just got to keep doing what we've been doing and grinding out results.

"The longer we stay up there in the top four or five the better and hopefully come the end of the season we'll still be up there."

This week those top five credentials will be given the sternest of tests with a trip to Elland Road following the visit to Highbury, and one thing the Welsh skipper knows is the season doesn't end at Christmas.

"We haven't played half the season yet, so to talk about the Champions League and titles is a bit premature for every team - not just Newcastle," he said.

"The thing about this season is that we seem a bit more consistent.

"Last season and the season before we'd seem to win a game then lose one.

"This season we have recognised our weaknesses and I think games like Charlton and Ipswich away, and games like Blackburn at home have shown that.

"Last year or the year before we might have lost those games but this time we are grinding results out."

And it was a hard-working performance that ground out Saturday's 2-1 win thanks to Speed's 69th minute 'fluke'.

"To be honest I've just tried to get it back across goal, I haven't tried to score," said Speed, playing his 333rd game in the Premiership.

"I think the spin on the ball has taken it over the keeper's head. I'll take it but I didn't mean to score."

Tomorrow it's game number 30 in the capital without a win, but the Newcastle camp would be more than happy to come away with anything from Highbury.

Last year's 5-0 defeat was one of the lowest points of the season for the Magpies, but their renewed self-belief means they return this year full of confidence.

Speed said: "We have to go down there with self-belief and think we can win the game.

"Charlton have won there this season so it's not impossible. If we go down there thinking we're going to struggle then we're not going to win.

"We've got to think we can win the game and that is what we will be doing."

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