Toon Legend: 'Don't Expect Too Much From Cisse'

Last updated : 10 May 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

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Nikos Dabizas: "Everybody talks about Cisse at the minute and obviously, the lad is doing a great job for the club.

"But we have to be patient and see how it goes long-term. Short-term, you are going to be enthusiastic about this, but you have to see how it goes in the long-term.

"But the first signs are unbelievable. He is clinical, he can score goals, he's quick, he's clever, his attitude looks good. It's important to have these kind of players in the team.

"When they first brought him here with the price-tag he was carrying, a few eyebrows were raised and people were saying, 'Will he be worth it? Is £10million too much money these days?'.

"But for the time being, he is doing a very, very good job.

"[Fabricio] Coloccini at the back - although he is not very, very physical, his reading of the game is excellent and whenever it comes to taking good decisions, he is always there.

"You have people who can produce - Cabaye is a creative midfield player who can bring good final passes and good technical football, which is a good sign as well, and you have Cisse and [Demba] Ba up front, which is a very, very good pair.

"It's fantastic. Things weren't good two years ago and even at the beginning of the season, they were not very optimistic.

"But Newcastle United this season have the right balance. They are very organised, they don't concede easy goals and they always score, and that's the right mixture to have good results.

"As we all know, Newcastle United is an attacking team, so maybe this will always be a problem for the managers and players to get results because always the fans want you to attack and want to see attacking football.

"But football these days is all a matter of results.

"Now the team has a chance of a Champions League spot due to good organisation and some good knowledge from the manager and from the players as well.

"The most important thing for me is that they have kept the same players for the last two years.

"They have improved the team with two or three transfers every year, but the spine is the same.

"It's very important not to take out 10 players and bring 10 players in, you have to have a balance in that direction and Newcastle have in the last few years."