Former Newcastle United defender Sebastien Bassong has said that no one expected the way Eddie Howe has gotten his old club playing this season ahead of their Premier League return next week.
The Cameroonian international made 34 appearances for the Magpies over just one season in 2008/09 but was named the club's Player of the Season that year before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer for just £8 million.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Bassong highlighted how the World Cup might not have affected the Magpies as much as some might think, having only sent five players to the tournament.