GEORDIE SURE ... Coloccini is certain Toon are top-four class
Published:
14th
July 2012
FABRICIO COLOCCINI last night insisted Newcastle are no one-season wonders and will be challenging for the Champions League again.
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The Magpies were tipped for relegation last term but confounded the critics by
finishing fifth in the Premier League thanks mainly to sensational strike
duo Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse.
Despite that fantastic effort Alan Pardew’s men are already being written off again — but not by Argentinian defender Coloccini.
The Toon skipper, hoping to end a major trophy drought which stretches back to 1969, said: “I’m not interested what the critics think — we are no one-season wonders.
“I accept the Premier League is becoming far more competitive and challenging at the top end of the table is becoming increasingly difficult.
“But we are confident that more success lies ahead. Newcastle are one of the biggest clubs in England and therefore we should be challenging for major honours.
“We don’t feel under any more pressure because of what we achieved last season. If anything, we are relishing the season ahead. Our success has brought with it greater confidence and more determination to do better.
“Last season we more than demonstrated we are a side that can challenge the bigger teams. Up to the last day of the season we were challenging for Champions League football.
“It wasn’t achieved by chance, either. Over the season we showed great consistency and our goal this season is to better that success.
“I don’t expect things to change. The likes of Manchester City, Man United, Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and ourselves will be fighting for the four available Champions League places.
“I’d expect the club to strengthen the squad as well so, with some new players coming in and the current confidence that exists throughout the club, why shouldn’t we be optimistic?”
Coloccini is a massive fan of Toon boss Alan Pardew.
The centre-half added: “He is a fantastic coach and a major influence and driving force behind the success.
“From the first day of last season’s campaign he installed trust and confidence in the players. He felt we were more than capable of challenging the top teams and, when people were expecting us to fall away, we just kept getting stronger and stronger.
“There was no coincidence or luck that we finished so high up in the table — the players thought we would. The only disappointment was that we didn’t finish higher.
“There is a competitive belief and desire to do well. Next season will be no different.”
Coloccini also thinks that Cisse — who scored 13 sensational goals in just 13 starts after his £9million January move from Freiburg — will take his rich form into the next campaign.
The club captain said: “If he continues to play the same way then there is no reason why he shouldn’t be able to outscore everyone. He scares the life out of rival defenders. He is sharp and so unpredictable.
“And, let’s be honest, to challenge you must be scoring goals and we have two strikers who are a match for any in the Premier League.
“Above all else it’s going to come down to hard work and dedication.
“We have had a taste of success and so have the supporters. Both of us want that to continue.
“I can remember the doom and gloom around the place when we got relegated.
“Nobody even thought we would be challenging to come back to the Premier League immediately, they all thought we would struggle again.
“But those bad times have made us far more resilient and far more determined. Nobody wants to suffer like that again and I don’t think they ever will.
“That is not to say we are complacent and believe in our own success.
“We know we will have to work hard and compete at every level and take on every challenge.
“But you only get out what you put in. The players have never been complacent or taken anything for granted.”
Despite that fantastic effort Alan Pardew’s men are already being written off again — but not by Argentinian defender Coloccini.
The Toon skipper, hoping to end a major trophy drought which stretches back to 1969, said: “I’m not interested what the critics think — we are no one-season wonders.
“I accept the Premier League is becoming far more competitive and challenging at the top end of the table is becoming increasingly difficult.
“But we are confident that more success lies ahead. Newcastle are one of the biggest clubs in England and therefore we should be challenging for major honours.
“We don’t feel under any more pressure because of what we achieved last season. If anything, we are relishing the season ahead. Our success has brought with it greater confidence and more determination to do better.
“Last season we more than demonstrated we are a side that can challenge the bigger teams. Up to the last day of the season we were challenging for Champions League football.
“It wasn’t achieved by chance, either. Over the season we showed great consistency and our goal this season is to better that success.
“I don’t expect things to change. The likes of Manchester City, Man United, Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and ourselves will be fighting for the four available Champions League places.
“I’d expect the club to strengthen the squad as well so, with some new players coming in and the current confidence that exists throughout the club, why shouldn’t we be optimistic?”
Coloccini is a massive fan of Toon boss Alan Pardew.
The centre-half added: “He is a fantastic coach and a major influence and driving force behind the success.
“From the first day of last season’s campaign he installed trust and confidence in the players. He felt we were more than capable of challenging the top teams and, when people were expecting us to fall away, we just kept getting stronger and stronger.
“There was no coincidence or luck that we finished so high up in the table — the players thought we would. The only disappointment was that we didn’t finish higher.
“There is a competitive belief and desire to do well. Next season will be no different.”
Coloccini also thinks that Cisse — who scored 13 sensational goals in just 13 starts after his £9million January move from Freiburg — will take his rich form into the next campaign.
The club captain said: “If he continues to play the same way then there is no reason why he shouldn’t be able to outscore everyone. He scares the life out of rival defenders. He is sharp and so unpredictable.
“And, let’s be honest, to challenge you must be scoring goals and we have two strikers who are a match for any in the Premier League.
“Above all else it’s going to come down to hard work and dedication.
“We have had a taste of success and so have the supporters. Both of us want that to continue.
“I can remember the doom and gloom around the place when we got relegated.
“Nobody even thought we would be challenging to come back to the Premier League immediately, they all thought we would struggle again.
“But those bad times have made us far more resilient and far more determined. Nobody wants to suffer like that again and I don’t think they ever will.
“That is not to say we are complacent and believe in our own success.
“We know we will have to work hard and compete at every level and take on every challenge.
“But you only get out what you put in. The players have never been complacent or taken anything for granted.”
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