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Boss: 'Sissoko Could Be A Future Skipper'
Written by Newcastle Utd
Alan Pardew believes Moussa Sissoko's match-winning display as stand-in captain against QPR proves that he could one day wear the armband full-time
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Alan Pardew hailed the performance of stand-in skipper Moussa Sissoko against Queens Park Rangers - and admitted that Frenchman could one day wear Newcastle United's captain's armband on a more regular basis.
With the Magpies' usual leader Fabricio Coloccini injured and vice-captains Cheick Tiote and Siem de Jong also sidelined, Sissoko was chosen by Pardew to lead the team out against The R's on Saturday.
And the 25-year-old responded with a dominant, driving midfield performance and a late goal which proved to be the winner.
That made it six straight victories in all competitions and Pardew told nufcTV: "Long term, I do see Moussa as potential captain of this Club.
"I wondered if giving him (the captaincy) might just knock him off kilt because he's been brilliant. But it didn't - he just put the armband on and played his normal game.
"I didn't think he was any better than he's been, because it's very difficult to be better than he was at West Brom etcetera etcetera. He's been brilliant."
For Sissoko, it was a first league goal of the campaign but at the other end, Newcastle have been racking up the clean sheets and that is proving vital to their recent form.
Emmanuel Adebayor's goal for Tottenham last month was the only one conceded by United in their last six matches and when asked what pleased him most about Saturday's success, Pardew replied: "The discipline of the team; the way it's defending and not giving up space.
"They didn't get any time, QPR. They came here with a great attitude and team that's playing well, so take away the positions of the two teams.
"We really played some terrific stuff. Sammy (Ameobi) had his best game for us on the flank and Ayo (Perez) was a threat all day. You can't take your eye off him - he excites you and excites the crowd and that, for Newcastle, is traditional.
"But the discipline of the back four, the goalkeeper, the midfield and the two strikers to defend is getting us where we want to be because we keep just nicking a goal, and then we might nick a second, and the game's over."
Click here to watch the full nufcTV interview with Alan Pardew