10 Newcastle Players Who Turned Around A Bad Start

8. Mathieu Debuchy

Mathieu Debuchy may not be the most popular figure on Tyneside at the moment, especially after his recent boisterous comments declaring that Arsenal is 'another world' to the club, but there is no denying that he established himself as a key component for Alan Pardew's starting XI. However, as many will remember, the French international did have to endure a difficult start to life at St. James' Park, thrust into a side devoid of any confidence or self-belief. Debuchy initially struggled for form following his £5.5 million transfer from Lille, leading many Geordies to question just where the player who had excelled for France at Euro 2012 was hiding. Seemingly unable to keep up with the fast pace of the Premier League, he dived in to rash challenges, leading to a dismissal in the shameful 6-0 reverse at the hands of Liverpool. However, while he would go on to pick up another red card the following season, Debuchy's performances improved ten-fold, keeping a cooler head when confronted with pacey attackers. It is just a shame that Arsenal have pinched the French international just as he was beginning to find his stride at Newcastle, but isn't that the reality of modern day football?