Rafa Benitez has delivered his latest brutally frank assessment of the size of task facing Newcastle this season after admitting it would be a 'great achievement' to simply avoid relegation.
The straight-talking Spaniard risked adding to the growing air of despondency on Tyneside with another stark reality check for supporters in the wake of a winless start that leaves the Magpies second-bottom with a single point from their first five games.
Benitez claimed to have worked miracles in steering his side to a 10th-placed finish on their return to the Premier League last season, and when asked if he will have to repeat that feat merely to remain in the top flight next May, the Newcastle manager said: 'I will say it would be a great achievement. That's the reality.
'To finish 10th last season was a miracle and that raised expectations but we knew it could be more difficult this time partly because of the spending power of some of the teams who won promotion. That's not to say I'm not optimistic but I'm also realistic, and we have to be sure everyone understands the situation.'
The increasingly downbeat atmosphere at St James' Park isn't helped by doubts continuing over Benitez's long-term future, with little progress made so far on negotiations to extend the manager's £3.5m-a-year contract, which expires in just eight months' time.
His relationship with Mike Ashley remains strained after another transfer window of under-investment as the Sports Direct supremo continues his search for a buyer to end a stormy 11-year reign, and the former Liverpool manager added: 'It's not the time to talk about my future at this stage, but it's obvious for everyone that we have to do things in another way.'
Ahead of Saturday's trip to Selhurst Park, Benitez called for the Football Association to look into Wilfried Zaha's out-spoken 'leg break' plea to referees.
The Crystal Palace midfielder called for more support from officials, insisting after the victory at Huddersfield that he is targeted by opposition players and that he will only gain greater protection should he suffer a serious injury.
The Newcastle manager says he doesn't expect referee Andre Marriner to be swayed by the Ivory Coast midfielder's outburst, and he added: 'I'm surprised because normally the FA deal with these comments.
'Andre Marriner is an experienced referee but someone at the top of the Premier League or the FA has to say to Zaha, "it's something that you don't need to say".'