Tiote - The Key To Toon Future?

01 March 2011 18:54
Alan Pardew is hoping the retention of star midfielder Cheick Tiote will form the basis of a bright new future for the team, and Cheick talks about his love for the Geordies. Alan Pardew: "Negotiations are very, very difficult at this level of football, and I think the signing of Cheick underpins the message Mike wants to give, that we can build a young team here which can go forward and take the club forward. "Cheick is a big part of that and after the disappointment of Andy leaving, it's a very good statement. "Mike wanted to make a statement after Andy leaving that the future can be bright here, and signing Cheick is a big step forward because he's had a fabulous first season. "Hopefully now we can build on his signing with others. "That's something we have got to resolve between now and the end of the season to make sure we keep our best players, and hopefully we can manage to do that. "Negotiations are never easy and never straightforward, but we are trying to keep what we have here, the really strong parts of the team, together." Cheick Tiote: “I have never experienced anything like the Newcastle fans. The noise is incredible. “The fans just keep going and going, supporting us. It gives us such inspiration. It was what kept us going after our first goal against Arsenal. We couldn’t have completed the comeback without our supporters. “I could have gone to Fulham, West Ham or West Bromwich when I left Holland, but I knew I had made the right choice. Nothing could top this. “I like the city, it is not too big, and the people are so warm. I have been made to feel very much at home. “What I want to do is repay everyone by helping Newcastle to win a trophy at long last.”  

Source: FOOTYMAD