Martin O'Neill: "We should take our lead from them in that sense - it was an exceptional season.
"This time last year I wasn't working, I was looking at it from afar. When the results were coming in on a Saturday and Newcastle were going strong I probably felt like a lot of people that they would do well to keep it going.
"But they kept it going, they had a few hiccups along the way but managed to fight back again in big games when they weren't paying well.
"That is a sign of a half decent side. So they deserve all the accolades they have got.
"It's not to diffuse any situation - that's how I view it and it was a terrific achievement.
"Alan Pardew won manager of the year and he deserved that so it was a terrific effort. Winning on Sunday should give us the type of lift we are looking for here.
"Our aim at some stage or other is to at least be the best side in this part of the world and if you are a better side than Newcastle and they have continued to make progress then it must mean you are doing OK.
"Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba have proven they are one of the best strikeforces in the league. They are strong, they can score goals.
"They might not feel as if they've been as prolific this season but the season is really still in its infancy. As for us we have [Steven] Fletcher, and Fletcher, and Fletcher! He's the only one scoring goals for us at the minute. That won't go on for us."
"Adam Johnson - I think we can expect better from him now. We're starting to get into the nitty-gritty of matches and we should see that.
"We've played six games since August time but there's no real international break between now and the Spring and he should now start to feel a bit better."