The Newcastle manager admits club must invest in young talent to remain among elite.
If there is one major problem in raising the bar as extravagantly as Newcastle United have this season, it is the risk of disappointment should they fail to reach such heights again. Regardless of what happens at Everton today, Newcastle have had a brilliant season, but it may yet be a remarkable one.
Should Alan Pardew guide his side to victory at Goodison Park, and either Arsenal or Tottenham fail to win their final game, Newcastle will secure a top-four finish and a potential Champions League golden ticket - although, if Chelsea win this week's final against Bayern Munich, Newcastle will need to finish third to qualify.
Their rise under Alan Pardew, deservedly named Barclay's manager of the season on Friday, has been, perhaps, the biggest surprise of a fascinating campaign, but Newcastle have been here before.
Ten years ago, they finished fourth under Sir Bobby Robson. The following year he guided the club to third, but after finishing fifth the year afterwards, he was sacked.
Having transformed Newcastle from relegation candidates, Robson became a victim of his own success as expectations spiralled in both the boardroom and the stands.
"Expectations are going to be higher," Pardew said. "People will be aware of us and that is one of the biggest challenges we are going to have next season. We are going to find it harder."
Newcastle are guaranteed a Europa League place, but Europe brings problems as well as benefits. Even a place in the Europa League, according to Pardew, will make it easier to attract and retain players, but the extra competition can be detrimental to domestic aspirations.
Keep the core of the team together, possibly selling one of their most coveted players to fund purchases who will raise the overall standard of the squad, and Newcastle will be just as threatening next season.
Lose two or three star names and it will be extremely difficult for the club to sustain their success.
"We have got a problem with salaries," Pardew added. "There are some salaries we can't compete with, but there is the chance of success.
"At the end of last year, Jose Enrique for example, if you take away the salary he probably thought Liverpool would have a more successful season than us.
"If we are in and around the right figures with a player, they can't say they want to leave for European football because they can get it here. We are competing with those clubs now."
With the extra European games, Pardew knows that he needs to strengthen if Newcastle are going to remain in the hunt for a Champions League place.
"Outside of whether we lose a player, we're still looking to bring two or three players. Certainly some younger players, which we need. The underbelly of this side is weaker than the other top sides."
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