ANDY O'Brien revealed last night how Sir Bobby Robson shocked Newcastle United into producing their Premiership and Champions League renaissance by delivering some home truths in a frank team meeting.

After the humiliating 5-2 defeat at Blackburn Rovers, Robson brought his first-team squad together and told them they were in danger of squandering the good work that saw them take the top flight by storm last season.

Since then, Juventus, Charlton Athletic and Dynamo Kiev have been vanquished at St James' Park, and tonight Middlesbrough visit a Newcastle side brimming with confidence.

O'Brien, who is doubtful for the Tyne-Tees derby with the back problem that necessitated his substitution against Kiev last Tuesday, reckons the discussion a fortnight ago will prove a defining moment in their season.

He said: "We had a bit of a heart-to-heart after the Blackburn game and made a few points.

"I know that game was changed by the early sending off of Nikos Dabizas. But it was still frustrating to lose the game the way we did.

"The manager instigated the meeting, and since then the performances, the workrate and everything else has improved.

"We've all made a conscious effort in the last three games, and we're closing down a lot more and getting tackles in. The pace of our game is very good now.

"The meeting is definitely paying dividends because we're playing a lot better now.

"We beat West Ham 4-0 in August but we didn't play that well on the night, and then a few weeks later we played well against Leeds and lost.

"Sometimes the performances were there and the results weren't, and vice-versa. But now the performances are good and so are the results.

"Sometimes you can't help a result if you have a bit of bad luck, but it was important that we built on what we achieved last season.

"If we can retain our mental strength and our fitness for the games coming up, we'll be in great shape for the rest of the season."

O'Brien paid a glowing tribute to George Boateng, despite the storm that has surrounded the Middlesbrough midfielder following last week's game with Leeds United. Boateng, who will tonight make his first appearance since his bust-up with Nick Barmby, is still facing at least one Football Association disciplinary rap for his antics nine days ago.

But while Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu, who celebrates his 30th birthday today, have received most of the plaudits, O'Brien reckons the Holland international is a major factor behind Boro's proud boast of having conceded just eight goals in 11 Premiership games this season - the best record in England.

The Newcastle defender said: "One of the biggest reasons Middlesbrough are strong defensively is George Boateng, who is a young Paul Ince.

"Very few clubs will spend a lot of money on a destroyer, but Boateng is a very good player.

"He ruffles a few feathers and he does a very good job for them. He's just the sort of player they needed after they lost Ince and Robbie Mustoe in the summer.

"He helps out Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu, who are two experienced centre-backs whom I look up to. I take heart from the fact I'm playing at the same level as them, and hopefully I can continue to improve here.

"Southgate is 32 and Ehiogu has been around for many years, too, but I'm only 23. Hopefully, when I'm in my 30s people will be asking a young centre-back if he looks up to me."

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