Guest Loven11 Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Cheick Tioté is softly spoken and understated under his baseball cap, his words barely causing an echo in the plain, old-school changing room in which we are sitting, at the back of Newcastle United's indoor training centre. Maybe it is the enduring sense of good fortune he feels about his current success – "over the last two years I couldn't have imagined playing against teams like Chelsea and Liverpool," he admits – but the drama surrounding the season's events at St James' Park appears to simply wash over the 24-year-old midfielder. Today sees Tioté make a welcome return from suspension for the visit of Arsenal but he will fulfil his perpetual role of supporting actor, as all eyes train on a Newcastle side playing their first home game since losing the talismanic Andy Carroll. Making a fuss is not the Ivorian's way, but he rates recent performances in his – and Carroll's – absence as cause for optimism. "We have a good squad here at Newcastle and the team spirit is very good too," he says. "We've been without several players recently, especially through injury, but football is a squad game and the players who come in are very capable. You only have to look at the three goals Leon Best scored against West Ham to see that." Nevertheless, Tioté acknowledges being "extremely frustrated" by his ban. "I felt my form was pretty good so to miss out on three important games for the club, when you are fit to play, was terrible. Missing the derby at Sunderland was probably the worst as it was a massive game for the club – the derby [in October] was crazy, I've never been involved in anything like it." Alan Pardew, who describes Tioté as "outstanding", will be delighted to see his midfield pillar return. The manager's faith has helped all concerned move on from the surprising and unedifying departure in December of Chris Hughton, who brought Tioté to Tyneside in August. "When Chris was sacked, it affected everyone," he admits. "But our way of showing we were with him was to show that we still had the desire to play for the club, and to work for the new manager. It's a pity but that's football and that's life, so the most important thing is to stay on the good path that he [Hughton] sent us on." That philosophy has worked particularly well for Tioté on a personal level. He has been a huge hit so far in his debut Premier League season. Brought in as a much-needed defensive sitter, he has surprised observers with his cultured use of the ball beyond the centre circle. "My role is to protect the defence," he says, "and then bring the ball out to the more offensive midfielders in front of me, Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan." Tioté says the experience of the Liverpudlian duo guides the team, and has provided the stability to help him evolve tactically. "I've learned a lot. Before, I was a bit everywhere, but now I know my role in the team, there's nothing to stop me from receiving the ball from the goalkeeper, then going left, right, wherever," he enthuses. Whereas a defensive midfielder having such a natural feel for the ball may be a surprise in England, Tioté puts it down to his humble first footballing steps back in the Ivory Coast, with FC Bibo. "I started in a small neighbourhood in Abidjan," he recalls. "We didn't have much money and we didn't have any football boots at the beginning. With bare feet I actually had better contact with the ball, and it helped me to develop. When I got my first pair at 15, it changed everything, and it took a fair while to adapt." Adapt he did, and after moving to Europe with Anderlecht in 2005, a move to FC Twente followed in 2008, where he spent two years working under Steve McClaren. "He's a good manager," he says. "The first year was great as I played 27 matches." In Twente's title season, Tioté spent a lot of the campaign's closing half on the bench, but he is sanguine about it, and takes no pleasure from McClaren's current struggles at Wolfsburg. "The second [season] was more difficult – the manager had choices to make, but I understand what all managers have to go through – but I was there for the team and there to work, and maybe that experience helped me to succeed here." He cites the former England manager as a major influence behind his decision to swap the Netherlands for north-east England. Perhaps there was a certain inevitability to the move, with Tioté stylistically made for the Premier League? "I think so. McClaren said that to me, and Sven Goran Eriksson talked to me about that too at the World Cup. That pushed me a little closer to coming here. [Didier] Drogba, Kolo Touré as well, they told me it was the right moment to come here, after the World Cup." The impact of the likes of Tioté and Kolo's younger brother Yaya at Manchester City, joining Chelsea's Drogba, means Ivorian stock in the Premier League is currently high. There is clear mutual admiration between the two newest members of that group. "I haven't spoken much [with Yaya], but we've sent one another messages to encourage each other, because it's his debut season in the Premier League too and it's hard." Tioté will come face-to-face with another experienced import from Abidjan, Emmanuel Eboué, today. The midfielder names November's 1-0 win in London as one of his season highlights, and is confident Newcastle can repeat the feat. "Arsenal are an amazing team," he says, "but on the day we fully deserved our win at the Emirates. The plan is to work hard, close them down, stick to your game plan, all 11 do their job to the best of your ability, take your chances. And maybe ride your luck a little." Certainly Tioté is keen to seize every moment, with the current situation back home in the Ivory Coast putting Newcastle's difficult week into perspective. Western sanctions are starting to take hold against president Laurent Gbagbo as he hangs on to power despite losing elections in December, but daily life is only getting harder in the meantime. "Everyone knows what's going on there at the moment," he says, "and it's not an easy situation. It's difficult to live with. We need to turn around what's happening at the moment as quickly as possible because we have our families there, our brothers, who need stability to be able to get on with their lives. What's happening stops everything. There's no work, there's nothing to eat, and it's difficult for everyone. We're obliged to show the best image of our country to give our support to our people and our country. That's what we're trying to do at the moment and we hope things get better." In the short term, his plan is to give some light relief to the fans who have taken him to their hearts. "It's a fabulous club. They live nothing but football here. They're mad for football," Tioté says. He is just the character to help Newcastle get back to normal. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/cheick-tiot-the-players-who-come-in-are-capable-ndash-well-cope-2204953.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 How many games (sorry bookings) before his next ban? dos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan_Taylor Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I like how the official site says he's 'back in contention' Well you never know we still have Guth.....No, no thats just silly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/175311/Alan-Pardew-I-fear-flog-at-Newcastle/ Pardew is keeping his fingers crossed Tiote’s first season at St James’s Park won’t be his last. “I am hoping there are no bids, otherwise we will have a problem,” said the Toon chief. ... "We like to think, certainly I have that ambition, that in two or three years time, if we can sustain our status and keep getting the TV money invested wisely, that we can hold off that next bid which might be for Cheik in 18 months time or so. “We have to get ourselves in a position to do that because at the moment we’re not and we have to accept that.” Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Absolutely no need to be making those comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlito Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Talk about encouraging bids man for fucks sake. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/175311/Alan-Pardew-I-fear-flog-at-Newcastle/ Pardew is keeping his fingers crossed Tiote’s first season at St James’s Park won’t be his last. “I am hoping there are no bids, otherwise we will have a problem,” said the Toon chief. ... "We like to think, certainly I have that ambition, that in two or three years time, if we can sustain our status and keep getting the TV money invested wisely, that we can hold off that next bid which might be for Cheik in 18 months time or so. “We have to get ourselves in a position to do that because at the moment we’re not and we have to accept that.” hopefully it's a message to ashley...if not it's a stupid thing to say. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Thump 1892 Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/175311/Alan-Pardew-I-fear-flog-at-Newcastle/ Pardew is keeping his fingers crossed Tiote’s first season at St James’s Park won’t be his last. “I am hoping there are no bids, otherwise we will have a problem,” said the Toon chief. ... "We like to think, certainly I have that ambition, that in two or three years time, if we can sustain our status and keep getting the TV money invested wisely, that we can hold off that next bid which might be for Cheik in 18 months time or so. “We have to get ourselves in a position to do that because at the moment we’re not and we have to accept that.” Well if that isn't building confidence in the fans, I don't know what is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I wonder if there's anything to be read into him seemingly correcting himself from 'we' to 'I'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I wonder if there's anything to be read into him seemingly correcting himself from 'we' to 'I'. Think there is a hell of a lot of stuff you could read into those comments tbh. - bid something decent and you'll get him - we're up the shitter financially - all our players are for sale - 'if' we stay stay up...seem pretty defeatist - etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorJ_01 Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Jesus, might as well have said 'I don't want to sell but if we were offered £10m then I just don't know what we would do.' What a tool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridman Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Jesus, might as well have said 'I don't want to sell but if we were offered £10m then I just don't know what we would do. *wink* *nods*' What a tool. + Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElDiablo Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Smacks of "If he goes it's not my fault" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridman Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Exactly what the fans wanted to hear after selling Carroll, eh? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Thump 1892 Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I wonder if there's anything to be read into him seemingly correcting himself from 'we' to 'I'. Nah, he's said it before he wants to win trophies, I think it's more of a (bad) attempt at rallying the team. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Smacks of "When he goes it's not my fault" more likely Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlito Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Wouldn't be surprised one bit if Mike Ashley is thinking he can get over 20m now that he's sold Carroll for so much and wants to invite a bidding war in the summer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Wouldn't be surprised one bit if Mike Ashley is thinking he can get over 20m now that he's sold Carroll for so much and wants to invite a bidding war in the summer. it happens with every player, if enough is offered for him it will be accepted......think ronaldo at man utd or even torres. don't see why we should be exempt. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teasy Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 What questions was Pardew asked?, always get missed out of these kind of quotes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlito Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Wouldn't be surprised one bit if Mike Ashley is thinking he can get over 20m now that he's sold Carroll for so much and wants to invite a bidding war in the summer. it happens with every player, if enough is offered for him it will be accepted......think ronaldo at man utd or even torres. don't see why we should be exempt. It's more along the lines of temptation to accept a big fee though, as opposed to having to accept a big fee, or any fee at all for that matter. Yes it happens in football but it's always up to the selling club if they want to sell or not. If a player signs a contract then he should be honouring it until told otherwise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teasy Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Wouldn't be surprised one bit if Mike Ashley is thinking he can get over 20m now that he's sold Carroll for so much and wants to invite a bidding war in the summer. it happens with every player, if enough is offered for him it will be accepted......think ronaldo at man utd or even torres. don't see why we should be exempt. It's more along the lines of temptation to accept a big fee though, as opposed to having to accept a big fee, or any fee at all for that matter. Yes it happens in football but it's always up to the selling club if they want to sell or not. If a player signs a contract then he should be honouring it until told otherwise. They should honour it, but they very rarely do, which is why its not really as simple as you're making out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
timeEd32 Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I think out of every player we have he is the absolute last one I would sell. Transformed our midfield, provides protection in front of our defense, helps retain possession, yada yada - we all know what he does. I shudder to think where we'd be without him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpal78 Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I don't know the context of those quotes or the questions asked, but without the benefit of that, that was a stupid stupid quote to make, making me dislike Pardew even more. Just shut up man! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punk77 Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 The bids for Tiote will come regardless of Pardew's mouth. But he acutally got a point: We need to stabilize economically, so we're able to fend of interests from key players. The sale of Carroll puts us half way there. It's no secret that MA has repeatedly told us that because of our debt we must buy players and sell them later with profits to be able to turn the ship around. The same strategy was used by Spurs with success. Combined with the salary cap, it was the huge profits on Carrick and Berbatov that enabled them to purchase players like Bale. The loss of Carrick hurt them in the short run, but look a them now. And we must acquire this mentality too. Another important aspect is the fact that we now have the scouting and academy structure in place, which increase the probability of finding a new Tiote or Carroll. This structure was strikingly absent during the days of Fat Fred, resulting in our incapability to replace key players without paying big money. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OoOGazOoO Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Im not surprised that most of the footballing world regard us as a laughing stock. Why on earth would you make those quotes about a player, it just seems to be inviting bids. It just gets worse for Newcastle fans, sometimes i just cannot understand what the thought process is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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