Yoan Gouffran at Newcastle: Picture Gallery

Yoan Gouffran has said that he wants to be a first team player at Newcastle United once again.

While this comment has sparked many chuckles across Tyneside and beyond, it is worth remembering that he was once a regular player under former manager Alan Pardew.

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In fact, he had an inspired nine games in which he scored five goals – leading to cheers from the stands and Twitter accounts being set up in his honour.

However, since then Gouffran has fallen down the pecking order and his performances have suffered. He was reinstored to the starting line up for the Manchester City match, which we lost 6-1.

It is since that loss that the Frenchman has come out and said that he has the quality to force his way back into the side. While we admire the self belief and the hard work, it seems slightly beyond his powers to break back into the side when everyone is fit.

Even the much maligned Cheick Tiote has more chance of cementing his place in the starting line up than Gouffran – so in honour of that we’ll take you through a trip down memory lane to commemorate when the 29-year-old was held in high esteem.

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