ANDY O'BRIEN last night confessed the knives are out for Newcastle United after their disastrous Champions League exit.

After defeats to Manchester United and Partizan Belgrade, O'Brien is feeling the heat following the biggest setback of his career.

Even at this early stage of the season, Newcastle's Premiership clash with Birmingham City tomorrow has already taken on huge significance. O'Brien is confident they will bounce back from the shock of being dumped out of the Champions League, but the shockwaves caused by the loss to Partizan are clearly still reverberating around St James' Park.

He said: "We know the knives will be out now. How you deal with disappointment is important, and Wednesday night was the biggest kick in the teeth many of us have experienced.

"We're only two League games into the season but we're already having to deal with a major blow.

"I wouldn't say the hard work that we put in last year counts for nothing, but there will be people who now say it was time wasted.

"We didn't have a good start last season and it's happening again. I don't know why that is.

"We gave Manchester United a game in the first half but weren't so good after the break, and that's been the story of all our games so far this season.

"But we're determined to dust ourselves off and get on with the job we're paid to do. The Champions League is where we want to be, but it's not the be-all and end-all as far as European football is concerned.

"Once we get over the bitter disappointment of this week, we have to believe we can still have a successful season in Europe.

"I think we'll be fine against Birmingham this weekend and I'm confident we can kickstart our season in the UEFA Cup."

Alan Shearer has told his teammates they must not dwell on their European misery as they look for their first Premiership win of the campaign.

He said: "It's bitterly disappointing and it's a big blow to the club, to the fans and to the players as individuals because we so wanted to be back in the Champions League.

"It's a bitter pill to swallow but it's important that we regroup now and don't let it affect us too much. We have to roll up our sleeves and show a bit of character. Sometimes you have to be gracious in defeat and as much as it hurts, say 'Well done' to the opposition.

''We said before the game that Partizan were a decent side and they actually played better over here than they did in Belgrade.

''They did their homework and sat deep so we could not get in behind them. You have to give them credit.''

Nobby Solano is struggling to be fit for tomorrow's game with Birmingham after he hurt a groin on Wednesday