NUFC can only get better. ( Cabaye )

From today's Chronicle.

YOHAN CABAYE has suggested Newcastle United are still to hit top gear in the Premier League – and the French ace is hoping to drive the Magpies on against Norwich City on Saturday.

With Fabricio Coloccini expected to be ruled out and influential centre-back Steven Taylor out for the season, the emphasis will turn to Cabaye – a candidate to be captain against the Canaries – and his senior counterparts to rally the Magpies in Norfolk as they look to cement their place in the top six.

Cabaye feels there is much more to come from himself and his French counterparts, with Hatem Ben Arfa and Gabriel Obertan yet to demonstrate their full potential so far.

Cabaye is delighted by the way in which he and the Toon’s French legion have blended in with the rest of Alan Pardew’s team.

While United tasted their first home defeat against Chelsea, their second loss in three games, Cabaye was still very much upbeat.

He told the Chronicle: “This team here has integrated very quickly – but there is a long way to go and we can only improve and grow together.

“That we settled in so quickly was good for myself, Demba Ba, Gabby (Obertan), Hatem (Ben Arfa) and Mehdi (Abeid) not forgetting Slyvain Marveaux.

“It has been good for us, but we came here because we wanted to do well for Newcastle and help the club move forwards.”

Newcastle slipped out of the top four for the first time since September as a result of their 3-0 defeat to the Blues, but Fulham’s victory over Liverpool kept them in the top six. However, an away-day triumph at Norwich’s Carrow Road will put them back into the top four – a position they will keep going into the game with Swansea City at St James’ Park on December 17 should Chelsea lose to Manchester City in their big game at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Cabaye, who won the double with Lille in France last year, admits he has a taste for being in the mix for European places and wants to stay there.

The Tourcoing-born player said: “It is important we stay near the top of the Premier League.

“There are a lot of games coming up now which we can win.

“The team spirit is still good here and by staying near the top five or six means it stays good.”

United did not disgrace themselves against the big three in the Premier League, but could not record a single victory against Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea.

Nevertheless, Cabaye is far from deterred.

He added: “I came to England with Lille to play Manchester United in the Champions League a few years ago.

“I did not get on, but it gave me the buzz of the big English grounds.

“Now I am getting this each week – I am delighted.

“There have been two or three tough games and we have been able to see what we can do.

“Every game we go into, we go in for the win and to help the team climb the league.”

Good to see him so enthusiastic.

 

Glad they're staying optimistic for Sat! I think we'll actually get a draw at worse at Carrow Road.

 

Expecting a win myself.

 

My best mate is a Norwich fan so I'll be rubbing his face in it if we win - like he did to me when we lost at Carrow Road a few years back

If we do win it'll be 3-2 or something along those lines.

Will probably bet on 3 or 4 + goals in the match.

 

****ing love Cabaye.

 

You've got to haven't you!

 

3-2 win are you on drugs they havent got a decent player to put one passed krul ,we should beat these dummies all day long even though we have a few good players out

 

Good article and glad to see he's confident, whose Slyvain Marveaux though??

 

The sly vain midfielder that's out injured.

 

ha ha whos marveiux that is funny

 

I love his this man, however things will not get better if we stop getting injuries to key players. I think were like 1 or 2 away from being in serious **** if we arn't already. I think Pardew has some thinking to do about the side he picks. Hopefully he'll pick the right team and we'll go to Norwich and get the win.

 

i second that mr tiote ,couldnt agree more lets hope big pards pulls his finger out and gets us 3 points

 

Cabaye is a breath of fresh air compared to players in recent years.

 

I love it. I wish every team in the league had this mentality.

 

Play to packed stadiums every week.

 

I think we can thump Norwich, our backline might be shakey but we have the best keeper in the league and everyone seems to underestimate our attacking players. Ben Arfa, Ba and Obertan could have a field day against their poor defence.

 

I've spent about 5 minutes staring at Obertans throbbing bonce.

 

A good game to pick ourselves up after Chelsea.

 

Hopefully that'll work against Norwich's defence.

 

Sure it's only his throbbing bonce?