Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye has been delighted at the way his first season on Tyneside has unfolded and believes that the Magpies' togetherness is responsible for their surprise fifth-placed finish.
Cabaye, 26, has been one of the catalysts behind Newcastle's best Premier League campaign in eight years since moving to the club from Lille last summer.
Along with the likes of Chiek Tiote, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse, Cabaye helped propel Alan Pardew's side to the brink of the Champions League before they narrowly missed out on the final day of the season.
However, the Frenchman is convinced that Newcastle's success has been based on a team ethic, rather than the ability of individuals.
"Finishing fifth was beyond the expectations of the club and fans,'' Cabaye told the Newcastle Chronicle. "What makes us strong is that at no time a player has felt bigger than the team. We all worked for our team-mates.
"For my part, I managed to adapt myself quickly. We had a long unbeaten run at the start of the season, which helped me gain confidence.
"There are many French and African players here, as at Arsenal, so there isn't a language barrier, which makes things easier. We get along well with everyone - there really is a good atmosphere in this group. We do not exclude anyone.''
