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Demba: 'I've Raised The Ba'
Written by Newcastle Utd
Four-goal Demba Ba believes he's in better form this season than he was last term, when he ended up as United's top scorer
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Last season, Demba Ba scored 16 goals in the Barclays Premier League and the Senegalese star sent out a stark warning to top flight defences by revealing: 'I'm in better form this term.'
The frontman took his tally for the current campaign to four goals in five league appearances with his winner against Norwich on Sunday - a far cry from the same stage last year when he had yet to break his duck for the club.
It took until his sixth start last term for his goal rush to begin with a hat-trick against Blackburn so it was little wonder that the 27-year-old played with a big smile on his face against the Canaries.
"Yes, I'm happy," he told nufc.co.uk. "I feel good, I've had some good games and I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing.
"I think I'm in better form than last season so I'll just continue to do what I do.
"Yohan (Cabaye) last Monday, the ball he gave me, and Hatem (Ben Arfa) on Sunday - when you have balls like this it's easier to score some goals."
While Ba's own start has been impressive, Newcastle's form has also been good in the opening five games with two wins, two draws and just one defeat to leave them just one point worse off than this time last season.
"It hasn't been too bad," Ba said. "We're on the road to what we did last season and we just want to keep doing what we do best and get as many wins as possible, especially at home.
"Sunday was important because our start was not too good but not too bad. Our start was average and we needed a win to make a good step forward.
"And we have that win. It was not easy but we have it and we're very happy that we have three points. That's always the main thing in this sport."
The win could have been more comfortable had Papiss Cisse not blazed a penalty over the bar just before half-time to leave the number nine still searching for his first goal of the campaign after his superb form last term.
But Ba has backed his compatriot and colleague to open his account sooner rather than later.
"I think so and I hope so," he said.
"Only God knows but he just has to keep on fighting and keep on doing what he has to do. Everything else is in the hands of God."
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