Newcastle United beat Cardiff City 2-1 on Saturday, with Yoan Gouffran’s goal turning out to be the winner.
Newcastle United midfielder Yoan Gouffran has told the club’s official website that confidence is the reason he is playing so well this season under Rafael Benitez.
The Frenchman looked like a player that was certain to leave St James’ Park when the Magpies were relegated, but Gouffran stayed on Tyneside and has since become a key player in their promotion push.
After a bright start to his career at Newcastle, Gouffran lost his way in recent years and inevitably lost his place in the side, but that has all changed in the Championship.
“This season it is really different, because I am playing with confidence and I hope that can continue,” Gouffran told nufc.co.uk.
“Maybe (the system) has helped me. Sometimes I can get free, and I can play my game, but the tactics are the choice of the manager.”
It has been quite the turnaround for Gouffran at Newcastle. Having been almost exiled last season, the 30-year-old returned to the team against Reading early in the season and has not looked back.
The former Bordeaux man scored what turned out to be the winner against Cardiff City on Saturday, finishing neatly before half time to put the Magpies 2-0 up.
Gouffran’s resurgence and boost in confidence shows just how low the mood was in the Newcastle camp last season, and how the winning mentality that now surrounds the club has lifted players like him to play at such a high level.
The Magpies have not lost this season when Gouffran has played, and everyone associated with the club will be praying that run continues.
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