Newcastle United’s midfield enforcer Cheick Tiote has backed manager http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alan-c4244 Pardew to guide them towards Champions League qualification this season.
The Ivorian international believes that Newcastle have the quality to qualify in the top four of the Premier League, and maintains that Pardew will be the man to guide them there.
Having finished in fifth place last season, Newcastle narrowly missed out on the fourth spot by just a point. However, that would not have mattered since the fourth Champions League spot went to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786, who won the tournament last season and automatically guaranteed their qualification.
Pardew signed a new eight-year deal with the club last week which puts him in the driving seat for the coming years. The manager was a blessing for the Magpies after he was appointed following http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-c9006 Hughton’s sacking.
Pardew has brought in the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Demba-Ba-c10812, Papiss Demba Cisse, and signed a number of up-and-coming talent this summer. Despite not being able to make a strong start to their campaign this time around, Tiote insists that they will get there.
However, the club is competing on four fronts this season, and will see their depth tested to the limit. Already the squad has been plagued by injuries to first team regulars. The likes of Fabricio Coloccini, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danny-c10193 Simpson, Tim Krul and Ryan Taylor have been sidelined for most of the opening weeks of this season.
Coloccini did make a return to the team recently, with goalkeeper Tim Krul also expected back soon. Tiote had himself sustained an injury during Newcastle’s Premier League opener against Tottenham. The Ivorian made his comeback in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Capital One Cup, and is now targeting a fourth place finish.
Speaking about Champions League qualification, Tiote said:
“It’s possible, of course. But its early days, and it’s a long season, so we’ll just have to see where that takes us.”
“Every player in the world at the moment wants to play in the Champions League, and we’re all ambitious, so I hope that is where we can go.”
“That would be great for every player, and we can get there. As a player, that’s where you want to be.”
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