Santon hopeful of Debuchy impact at Newcastle

Jan 13, 2013 1:45:00 PM

The full-back believes the Magpies' new signing can be a "great player" at St James' Park, and praised an improved defensive display in their 0-0 draw against Norwich on Saturday

Newcastle United defender Davide Santon says he expects new signing Mathieu Debuchy to be a hit at St James' Park after the France international made his debut in the 0-0 draw against Norwich at Carrow Road on Saturday.

Debuchy joined the Magpies from Lille for a reported €6.6 million having been linked with a move to Tyneside for several months.

Santon hopes that the experience of the 27-year-old, who has played 12 times for his country, can help arrest Newcastle's slide towards the bottom three of the Premier League after they ended a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions.

"It is always difficult in your first game but once he has trained more with us [more] and is speaking the language [better] it will be easier," Santon told the club's official website.

"But I think he is a very good player who can help us. He did well today, looked confident and experienced and I think he can be a great player for Newcastle."

Santon praised Newcastle's improved defensive display after Alan Pardew's side kept out a team who have lost only three times all season at home.

The Magpies came into the game with seven defeats in their last 10 Premier League outings and Santon believes the stalemate is a step in the right direction despite their fall to 16th place in the table.

"It was a very good point, especially because today we were solid on the pitch," he commented. "We had a great defence, right up until the final whistle.

"In training all week we have been working on defending, defending, defending, and today we looked much more solid because of it.

"Unfortunately we just couldn't score and it was difficult with only one or two chances, but the clean sheet and a point away from home was very important for us.

"We knew before the game that it was not going to be easy to come to Norwich and get anything. Big teams have lost here, so we can be proud of our performance."

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