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Tiote Salutes Super Skipper
Written by Newcastle Utd
Returning captain Fabricio Coloccini made a huge difference to Newcastle at West Ham, according to Cheick Tiote
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Ivorian enforcer Cheick Tiote felt Fabricio Coloccini's return after a 12-game absence was key to Newcastle gaining what could prove to be a huge point at West Ham.
The Magpies skipper showed what United have been missing in recent weeks with a typically classy display at the heart of defence against Andy Carroll and Co as the Magpies drew 0-0 at Upton Park.
His leadership qualities and organisational skills were also evident in the capital and Tiote was delighted to see the Argentine back.
"I think it helped us because we know Coloccini's a good player with a lot of experience," the former FC Twente midfielder told nufc.co.uk after emerging from the visitors' dressing room.
"He played well today and I'm happy to see him back because we're going to need him for the next two games.
"I think we deserved more than the one point because when you see the game, I felt we wanted it more than West Ham.
"We missed some chances and we didn't score the goal we needed but we need to take the positives and think about the next game on Sunday.
Newcastle have a crunch match at already-relegated Queens Park Rangers next up and Tiote admitted: "We need to win.
"Before the game today, we knew we had to win or take one point, but we could not lose. We have one point and that's important.
"Today everyone was together and we played as a team. We were more compact and that's important.
"On Saturday we've got to do the same and hopefully we can take the three points."
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