HABIB BEYE is confident Newcastle United can turn their season into a success, despite their turbulent campaign so far on and off the field.
The Senegal international is back from an Achilles injury that has blighted his season so far and it has been obvious that United have missed their experienced right-back.
The former Marseille captain is ready to make up for lost time and help to rescue Newcastle from the choppy waters of relegation by playing his first game under Joe Kinnear against Manchester City on Monday night at St James’s Park.
And in a major fitness boost for Kinnear, Beye could be joined against moneybags City by flying Argentina winger Jonas Gutierrez and Nigerian hot-shot Oba Martins, who are both making good progress in training.
After spending two months sidelined with a painful heel injury, Beye is ready to come out with all guns blazing against Mark Hughes’ side.
He told the Chronicle: “We can still have a respectable season. We won’t go down. We have too much quality
“There are still 31 games left to play and a lot of points and pride at stake.
“I remember this time last year we made a good start and we were doing well, but after that it turned bad so it shows how it can change.
“We made a good start against Manchester United and Bolton.
“But it becomes harder because of what has happened.
“If you win two or three games in a row, the season changes very quickly and we have three games out of four coming up at home. What can we do? We can try to win a lot of games and see where it takes us. And then we still have the FA Cup.”
Beye was arguably United’s best performer last term and was in sparkling form towards the end of the season when Kevin Keegan’s side finished in style.
But since then the club have plummeted amid off-the-field issues which, for Beye, has been compounded by his own personal injury nightmare after picking up a knock in pre-season.
The African ace said: “It’s been a hard time for us all.
“I don’t like to watch in the stands. It’s hard because you want to play every game and you want to help the team. But we have to get behind the new manager.”
Beye now admits he is ready to give it full throttle against Man City.
He added: “I feel good now and I don’t feel the Achilles problem at all.
“I can now run properly and work with the rest of the team as usual.
“It will be good against Manchester City.
“It is also good for the manager to have players fit again for him to pick from.
“Now I need to play some games to complete my comeback.
“This is the first time I have been able to run properly since the summer.
“It has been hard for me before that to play, that’s why I stopped after Arsenal because it was too painful.
Owen hits back at bitter and nasty criticism Jul 5 2009
MICHAEL OWEN has hit back at the “bitter” and “nasty” criticism he received at Newcastle claiming it made him feel like a “criminal”. more
Freddy Shepherd plays the waiting game Jul 5 2009
FREDDY SHEPHERD is playing a waiting game as Newcastle hit trouble in their efforts to tempt other would-be buyers by slashing their wage bill. more
Xisco is court in the middle Jul 5 2009
NEWCASTLE flop Xisco has been caught up in a courtroom row relating to his move to Tyneside last year. more
Don’t risk losing Shearer, urges Lee Jul 4 2009
ROB LEE has warned that Alan Shearer will not sit on the shelf forever when it comes to waiting for the managerial post at Newcastle United. more
We owe our fans big time – Nolan Jul 4 2009
KEVIN NOLAN has insisted Newcastle United players are under no illusions about the debt they owe their fans more
Offers are made for Coloccini and Martins Jul 4 2009
NEWCASTLE United are on the verge of accepting bids for Fabricio Coloccini and Obafemi Martins as the sale of the club edges another step closer to completion. more
Malaysians in £80m bid for Newcastle United Jul 3 2009
A MYSTERY Malaysian consortium is understood to have stolen a march in the race to become new owners of crisis club Newcastle United. more
Birmingham eyeing loan move for Joey Barton Jul 3 2009
JOEY BARTON is wanted on loan by Premier League new boys Birmingham City. The Chronicle understands City boss Alex McLeish is looking to add some top-flight experience to his squad for the new season and this could bring an end to Barton’s controversial stint on Tyneside. more
Article
