Shola Ameobi insists he always had faith that Newcastle United would come back from relegation to challenge for European football.
The Magpies play at the Emirates on Monday against Arsenal and know that if they can maintain their league position from now until the end of the season they will guarantee Europa League football next season.
The 30-year-old broke into the team as a teenager and has played in both the Champions League and the club s run to the UEFA Cup semi-final in 2004, but admits those days seemed a long way away when they were relegated to the Championship in 2009.
Two or three years ago, we were in the league below and if you had told people we would be fighting for a European spot this year, I don t think many people would have believed you, he said.
It s been a great journey. When I first came into the team, I thought we would be in Europe every season because that s what I was used to, playing in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup at the time.
But things never last. For me, the fact that I started on such a high and then obviously hit rock-bottom when we were relegated three or four years ago, to see the turnaround so quickly has been a marvellous thing.
I wanted to help the club when we went down to get back to where we were eight or 10 years ago, and I have always had faith that this club would come back, so it would be great to see it come so quickly.
We know we have a long way to go it s not just a quick fix, it s a long-term plan that they have here at this club.
But it would be a great step in the right direction if we did finish in Europe this year.
There are only 11 games to go for Newcastle to secure a place in the top six, and the striker admits that they have their work cut out to add some more points on Monday night in north London, especially against an in-form Robin van Persie.
He is the best striker, the best number nine I say number nine, but he is playing as a number nine this season there is at the moment, Ameobi said.
He is technically brilliant, a top, top-class player and he is banging in the goals.
He is a real threat every time he is on the pitch, and it will be a pleasure to try to stop him on Monday night.
