We took only one point from the four games with Manchester United and Arsenal last season and Nobby believes that we must start winning those games to put ourselves in contention.
"We played well all season but in the crucial times we need to be more like Manchester United and Arsenal - we have to win the crucial games," he told the Evening Chronicle.
"We were very close last season, but we lost to Everton at a crucial time and then we lost to Manchester United, which was also a big game.
"Had we won them we would still have been in there fighting for the title. It comes down to doing as well as you can in the crucial games.
"That is where we need to be strong. Manchester United and Arsenal have the experience in the big situations and everybody at those clubs has played at least five times in the Champions League and the players have played in big World Cup games.
"It is important that we're back in the Champions League and that we stick in there every season so we can build a team that can succeed."