Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye has expressed his happiness at life at St James' Park.
St James' Park midfielder enjoying life in the north east
Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye has expressed his happiness at life at St James' Park.
The 25-year-old French ace joined The Magpies from Ligue 1 champions Lille during the close season.
The France international has made a big impact in the North East as Newcastle have taken the Premier League by storm.
Cabaye insists manager Alan Pardew's philosophy and style of play have suited him down to the ground.
"Being here is a dream," Cabaye told the
Guardian. "I don't want it to end, I'm happy.
"The manager is actually quite like the one I had at Lille [Rudi Garcia], they are quite similar.
"Like Garcia, what Alan Pardew wants is for us to keep the ball.
"He talked to me about changing Newcastle's style and we work a lot on possession. He's doing a great job."
Memories
Cabaye remembers watching Newcastle when they were challenging for the Premier League title in the mid-90s when the likes of David Ginola were lighting up St James' Park.
The midfielder, who spoke with two of the club's ex-players Antoine Sibierski and Franck Dumas before deciding his future, was a huge fan of the Magpies' attacking free-flowing football.
"I remember watching David Ginola playing here on television in France when I was a kid," he continued.
"The team was doing extremely well and I adored their attacking football. It's a wonderful memory and something to try and emulate.
"I haven't spoken to Ginola but I talked to Antoine Sibierski and Franck Dumas before joining and they told me to sign immediately.
"It's true results in recent years haven't been great but, hopefully, we are now starting to make our achievements correspond with the size of this club.
"There are big tests to come - but our aim is to finish the season as strongly as we've started it. We want to take Newcastle back into Europe as soon as possible."
Priority
Team-mate Danny Simpson has been a key member of Pardew's defence and he has revealed that keeping things tight at the back was one of the manager's priority.
"I can barely believe it myself," explained Simpson. "The fans are always telling me we are used to scoring loads, but conceding loads. This isn't the Newcastle way.
"The manager came in and said his priority was to create a solid defence and not leak goals. We have players who will always score, but hours of watching videos of our games has definitely paid off.
"I watch my opponents closely now on video. I take time to see what the winger who I am marking can do. You are always learning. I watch all our games. It highlights where you've gone right and wrong. Things like that have definitely helped and improved us."
