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Gouffran's Not Just Winging It
Written by Newcastle Utd
Yoan Gouffran is showing his striking instincts by netting again, even though he is currently playing as a winger
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
He may be playing out wide at the moment, but Yoan Gouffran insists he's never lost his striker's instinct.
And that fact is reflected in the Frenchman netting his fifth goal of an eye-catching campaign as Newcastle United saw off West Bromwich Albion 2-1 on Saturday night.
A January arrival from Bordeaux, Gouffran has spent much of his career to date being deployed in the final third.
However, he has excelled in a winger's role since turning up on Tyneside and provided a poacher's finish to head home from a couple of yards against the Baggies at St. James' Park.
Gouffran's tireless work ethic down the flank, providing cover for left-back Davide Santon as well as getting forward to support Loic Remy and Shola Ameobi at every opportunity, has not gone unnoticed on the terraces.
But the modest 27-year-old claims he is just playing his part for the team.
"Even though I'm playing on the left of midfield, I'm keeping my instincts of a striker," he explained.
"Every time I can get forward and try to score, I can, and that's what the manager is asking me to do.
"It was good to score again. Every time I score I'm happy, so today it is no different. I'm so happy to be able to help the team win."
Gouffran's first half goal was cancelled out by a Chris Brunt strike early in the second half, but Moussa Sissoko came up with a brilliant long-range effort to earn the Magpies all three points yet again.
It wasn't the prettiest of games, it wasn't the most polished of performances, but for Gouffran and Co, it is the final scoreline which is all-important.
"It was a beautiful victory - a wonderful win - and it's done us so much good to get four consecutive wins," he said.
"We stayed together, we were very solid, we scored the goals when we had to and we got the result.
"It's the result that counts. You can't always play brilliantly but as long as you win the games, that's all that matters."
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