O’Brien calls for big European effort by Magpies

NEWCASTLE defender Andy O’Brien admits his side must earn the right to qualify for the Champions League this season.

Under previous boss Bobby Robson the Magpies finished in the Premiership top four in two of the last three seasons - and chairman Freddy Shepherd has said reaching Europe’s top competition is the benchmark for success.

But Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United was the club’s third successive Premiership loss - their worst run since they lost five on the trot in the old Division Two in 1991-’92. O’Brien is aware his side now need to fight to get their season back on track.