Striker Ba has been among the goals during Newcastle's fine start to the season
Newcastle United striker Demba Ba says Champions League qualification will be difficult for the Magpies - despite their excellent form so far this season.
Newcastle did not suffer defeat in the Barclays Premier League until their 12th match when they were beaten 3-1 at leaders Manchester City.
But despite their impressive results, Ba insists said that a top-10 finish would represent a good season for the Club.
"I think a lot of people are surprised about what we're doing," said Ba, who has scored eight goals in 11 Barclays Premier League since signing for Newcastle in the summer.
"At the beginning of the season we thought finishing in the first part of the table would be good"
- Demba Ba
"When I signed here and saw the quality of the players we have, I'm not really surprised by how we're playing.
"That people are surprised I can understand because for Newcastle it is just the second year in the Premier League after the relegation but the team is very confident."
"I'm not really surprised with what we're doing. We're just happy being there, enjoying being there and just want to do everything to stay."
But the Senegal striker said it would be difficult to maintain a top-four placing until the end of the season.
"It's going to be difficult [to qualify for the Champions League]. When you look at the other sides they have a lot of players of big quality and they have money to buy the players as well," he said.
"We don't have the squad they have and don't have the experience they have. We have to try and win as many games as possible and see where we finish at the end.
"I think at the beginning of the season we thought if we finish in the first part of the table it would be a good season for us."
