Alan Pardew is hoping the versatility of his Newcastle players will help maintain their form into the final part of the season and finish on a high.
Manager impressed by how side adapt to different positions
Alan Pardew is hoping the versatility of his Newcastle players will help maintain their form into the final part of the season and finish on a high.
The Magpies boss has been forced to play players out of position in recent weeks, with winger Jonas Gutierrez lining up at left-back in the 1-0 Premier League win over Norwich.
That game also saw Yohan Cabaye play in four different positions whilst full-back James Perch was asked to play in midfield, a role he had not filled on a regular basis since his stint under Colin Calderwood at Nottingham Forest.
Perch was asked to fill in at left-back on Sunday, during Newcastle's 3-1 win at West Brom, but he finished the game at centre-back after Fabricio Coloccini departed with a hamstring injury.
That kind of flexibility within a relatively small squad has delighted Pardew as he aims to guide the side to European football next season.
"You have to remember that when you have had success, teams are going to come and nullify you and start working on ways to beat you, and you have got to keep asking different questions.
"Yohan Cabaye and Jonas had different roles last week, and they could have different roles again.
Application
"But their application and attitude to them has been first-class, and that's why Jonas at left-back got man of the match against Norwich, because he attacked the job that was at hand.
"If my players do that and take that as a lesson, then we are going to be okay."
Return
Cheick Tiote could be fit to return from a hamstring injury when Newcastle host Liverpool on Sunday, having missed the wins over Norwich and West Brom.
He could have a problem winning his place back, however, as Danny Guthrie has impressed whilst deputising.
Pardew added: "We have won without Cheick for the last two weekends, and we won without him when he was away at the African Nations Cup.
"Actually, since he has come back, we haven't had great results with Cheick.
"I am not saying that as a negative because he is a massive player for us, but we can cope without him."
