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Pardew's Praise For 'Big Stage' Stars
Written by Newcastle Utd
Alan Pardew was delighted with the performance of his squad players during Thursday's win over Brugge
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Alan Pardew praised his squad players for transferring their training ground exploits onto "the big stage", as Newcastle triumphed 1-0 over Club Brugge in the Europa League.
Gabriel Obertan scored the only goal of the game early in the second half at St. James' Park, and that was enough to hand the Magpies all three points and leave them top of Group D.
Pardew was delighted with the French winger's performance, as Obertan built upon his starring role earlier this month against Bordeaux, and the boss also had plaudits for some others who are knocking on the first-team door.
"That's two good sides we've beaten here, make no mistake about it," Pardew told nufcTV following the final whistle.
"Brugge caused us a lot of trouble tonight but the guys have been doing terrific on the training ground and produced on the big stage - and that's what it's about.
"Ferguson and (Sammy) Ameobi have been great in training but you have got to play and deliver.
"And Obertan again, on a European night, showed his class. At 23, he's got a big future, hopefully.
"We are trying to get the best out of him and he's building slowly. Without him we wouldn't have won these two games against Bordeaux and Brugge.
"I thought our passing was good in the first half, but we lacked a little bit of threat which is about nailing that system down.
"But in the second half, bringing Shola on was always going to unsettle them a little bit, which it did.
"Brugge showed why they are a good side because they came back at us. We had a couple of scares towards the end, and Harps and the defence had to play well."
To watch the full post-match interview with Alan Pardew, click here