The Scotland international, who signed a new deal in the summer, is also aware of the scrutiny that the players are under following a string of high profile off field incidents.
He told The Journal: "It's superb to be part of the current Newcastle side and it's the best team I have ever played in.
"It's just great to be involved with such talented individuals on a daily basis and to be challenging for a place under Sir Bobby Robson. But as a group of players we are all desperate to win something and in the end that is how we'll be judged.
"People will stop talking about this great Newcastle side unless it starts to win some trophies.
“The pressure to lift some silverware certainly helps me to motivate myself and achieve much more as a player.
"High expectations bring out the best in some players and I think I am one of them.
"But it's true that there is a lot of scrutiny on and off the field when you are a Newcastle player.
"And it's important that, however intense the pressure becomes, we conduct ourselves in the right manner."