Midfielder Cheick Tiote has backed Newcastle
United to finish in the Premier League's top five
this season.
The St James' Park club made a strong start to
the 2013-14 campaign before falling away after
the turn of the year, ending up in 10th.
However, manager Alan Pardew has added the
likes of Remy Cabella, Emmanuel Riviere and Siem
de Jong to his squad in the close-season, and
Tiote is hopeful the trio can help Newcastle make
a more sustained challenge for European football
this time around.
"I know some of the new boys from when I've
watched the French league like Remy Cabella, Manu
Riviere and also Siem de Jong from Ajax," he is
quoted as saying by the Northern Echo.
"I've played against him before so I know what he
is capable of.
"They are good signings for the club and hopefully
they are going to do well for us this season.
"I think there could be more players, but at the
moment I think the squad looks better than last
season that's for sure.
"We have had the opportunity to bring in some new
players and we could bring in more, but I definitely
think we are stronger."
Newcastle last made the top five in the 2011-12
season and Tiote is confident of repeating that
feat.
"We will try to win every game and finish near the
top," he added.
"You never know with the Premier League. You
can't say we will finish third, fourth, fifth or
sixth, because it's really tough, but I think for us
it's important to be ready for the start of the
season and try to win every game like we did two
years ago when we finished fifth.
"The more games we win the better chance we will
have of finishing in the top five rather than the
top 10.
"I think it’s possible this squad can repeat the
fifth place from two years ago, because we've
got the players and have brought in some real
quality. We just have to work hard, because it's
not easy to finish there in the Premier League."
Newcastle kick off their Premier League campaign
against champions Manchester City next weekend.
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