Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote was delighted to help his side secure a Europa League berth next season, but believed that the Magpies have got the potential to do even better.
The Tyneside outfit compiled their best points tally in almost eight years during their 2011/12 Premier League campaign, which enabled them to grab the fifth spot in the final league standings and subsequently qualify for the Europa League next season.
Even though the Ivorian footballer was elated over his side’s achievements in the last term, he called upon them to carry their confidence into the coming season and make further improvements.
He told the club’s official website, “I hope we can do even better next season - and I think we can.”
The Magpies, who were relegated from the top division at the end of the 2008/09 season, have since launched a strong return to Premier League. During their last campaign, they got the better of Manchester United, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809, and throughout
remained a side to beat at home. They put up a sustained challenge in the race for a top-four finish, dragging it to the very last day of the season but eventually fell short of fourth ranked Tottenham by four points.
Despite failing to secure a Champions League berth, the 25-year old viewed the Magpies previous campaign as a successful one, and was glad to see European football return to the Sports Direct Arena.
He continued, “The Europa League is a good thing because we wanted to get something out of this season. We got Europa League so it's a good thing.”
The midfielder also felt that the Magpies win against the nineteen times league champions Manchester United was the highlight of their remarkable season, and it served as a confidence booster for them.
“Last year was great and the win over Man United at home was the best game. That was a good win for everybody. To win against a big team, a top team like that was fantastic.”
Tiote will be one of the many Newcastle players who will be on international duty this summer with their respective national teams. The Ivorian footballer will represent his country in two World Cup Qualifying matches in June against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Morocco-c2961,
before returning to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749.
Other than Tiote, his club team-mates http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yohan-Cabaye-c37423 will also be involved in international action, with both the French players having already received a call up from their national side ahead of the Euro 2012 competition next month.
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