Newcastle's top-scorer Demba Ba is adamant the Magpies will continue in their pursuit of a European place in the Premier League.
Magpies striker insists side will push for Champions League spot
Newcastle's top-scorer Demba Ba is adamant the Magpies will continue in their pursuit of a European place in the Premier League.
Newcastle travelled south to face Tottenham on Saturday where they found themselves on the wrong end of a humiliating 5-0 defeat.
However, with Chelsea losing to Everton and Liverpool failing to overcome Manchester United, the Magpies remain only one point off a UEFA Champions League place.
Senegal international Ba is rallying his team-mates to stay positive and not allow the setback to have any effect on the season's outcome.
Successful
"I didn't think the season would be as successful as it has been," he told the
Northern Echo. "You always work to be one of the best and that is what I am doing here, it is what I will continue to do.
"Other teams are working to be the best too and maybe they have a bit more quality than us but we're doing very well. This season is ours, we just need to enjoy it."
Ba has now been joined at St James' Park by compatriot Papiss Cisse, who displayed his talent on his debut against Aston Villa when he netted his first goal in the top-flight.
Newcastle are out of action this weekend with no FA Cup fixture to play, meaning that Cisse will have more time to adapt and settle into British conditions, something Ba feels may take some doing.
Strong
"It's not too bad at the moment, and as long as it doesn't go below zero and there's no snow, he should be OK," he joked.
"Seriously though, Papiss has come in and he's been made to feel welcome straight away. I'm sure he's going to be OK here, he'll be fine. We have a strong dressing room and he'll be part of that."
The Magpies should be boosted ahead of their next Premier League clash with Wolves in two weeks' time as Cheik Tiote's return will mean they have a full complement of African players to choose from.
Ba and Cisse were able to return from the Africa Cup of Nations early when Senegal exited the tournament in the group stage, while Tiote was involved in a dramatic final which saw Zambia triumph over his Ivory Coast side on penalties.
