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Diamé in focus in Saturday's programme
Written by Tom Easterby
His recent upturn in form has seen Mo Diamé become a key component in the Newcastle United side – and there is an exclusive interview with the Senegalese midfielder inside Saturday’s issue of UNITED.
Diamé adorns the front cover of the Magpies’ official matchday programme for the visit of Southampton (3pm kick-off), and inside this weekend’s issue the 30-year-old – who was named January’s FUN88 Player of the Month – speaks at length about his return to prominence.
In the in-depth interview, he covers plenty of ground – just as he did in his outstanding display against Manchester United in Newcastle’s last home game. The former Hull City man opens up about the impact the death of his father had on him, while the source of his motivation and self-belief were also discussed - and Diamé said he believes there is still more to come after that showing against the Red Devils last month.
“Even when it was harder, I always knew that I could give a lot more to this team. I know the player I am,” he told UNITED. “I was the first one who knew that I wasn’t delivering – I wasn’t playing my best football, and I was the first one to know that. (I was) the first one not happy as well. But I always knew I could get back to my football. I just needed to work, and things will get back.
“They are hard moments when you’re not playing your best football. I’m 30 now but I still feel that I have no problems physically. I know I can give more, and little things, like a ball I’m losing – I could end up not losing these balls. I could get to the opponents’ area to score more goals or give better assists – there are a lot of things I can improve. I know that.
“It’s important to always have targets in your life. That’s what can make you improve and make sure you give more and push yourself. If I am saying now that ‘I’m the best, I’m doing these things well’, I will stop there and the only way I can go is down. So I really think I can give more, and I will do everything to do that.”
Also in Saturday’s issue, tour guide Richard Forster is the latest staff member in focus in our United Backstage feature. Richard, a die-hard Newcastle supporter since the 1950s, explains how he fell on his feet to work for the club he adores, and lifts the lid on one or two tricks of the trade.
Popular Dane Bjørn Kristensen - who spent four years on Tyneside after representing his country at Euro 1988 - chats to us in an entertaining four-page interview, having been back at St. James' Park for last month's memorable win over Manchester United.
And there is plenty more nostalgia in our comprehensive 12-page history section, while promising midfielder Mo Sangare tells us a little bit more about himself in this week's High Hopes.
To read all of this – and much more – pick up a copy of UNITED from around St. James’ Park or in the club store on Saturday, priced at just £3.
"It’s important to always have targets in your life. That’s what can make you improve and make sure you give more and push yourself. If I am saying now that ‘I’m the best, I’m doing these things well’, I will stop there and the only way I can go is down. So I really think I can give more, and I will do everything to do that."