Magpies slump baffles Bassong

15 August 2009 13:27
Sebastien Bassong admits he still finds it difficult to accept that Newcastle are a second tier club. The Frenchman recently secured a move away from the fallen Magpies, having been part of the United set-up that slipped out of the Premier League last season. He is now preparing for a new challenge with Tottenham, but admits his thoughts are still with his former employers as they look to bounce back into the big time at the first time of asking. "No, I still cannot believe it," Bassong said. "Last week I went to Newcastle to pick up my stuff and I was in front of St James' Park, I could not imagine this magnificent stadium in the Championship but the reality is that I have to. "I wish them very good luck but it is finished for me." Part of the problem for Newcastle last season was their inability to find stability off the field. The takeover saga involving owner Mike Ashley refused to go away, while the club got through four managers - Kevin Keegan, Chris Hughton, Joe Kinnear and Alan Shearer - over the course of the campaign. Bassong, though, insists the turmoil away from the field cannot be used as an excuse for inept performances on it. "If we knew what was happening wrong we would have done the opposite," he said. "We had a lot of injured players and four managers in the year. It was a mix not one special thing. Even if we had four managers, or the club is a mess, we are playing on the pitch so we have to play good."

Source: SKY_Sports