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Former Newcastle United winger Laurent Robert has praised the Premier League club's recent investment in French talent, claiming the Gallic flair of players like Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa have been integral to their unbeaten start to the season.
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Alan Pardew's Newcastle United side have been the surprise package of the Premier League so far, embarking on an unbeaten run of 11 league games to take them into their daunting set of fixtures that include games against Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, with a healthy sense of optimism.
Pardew, largely on the recommendation of their chief scout Graham Carr, has plucked a number of hugely talented, if previously obscure or out-of-form individuals from French football since his arrival at Newcastle United in December 2010.
Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux and Gabriel Obertan have all reinvigorated their careers at St James' Park and in doing so have propelled Newcastle United to the lofty heights of third in the Premier League table.
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The four former Ligue 1 stars are also joined by French speaking Demba Ba and Cheik Tiote, from Senegal and Ivory Coast respectively, and one of Newcastle United's former French stars suggests the club are reaping the benefit of their French connection.
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"I saw Yohan Cabaye two weeks ago when he came to play for the national team. I spoke to him and he really likes it at Newcastle.
"He knows the fans like him." Laurent Robert told The BBC.
In addition to Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa is making gradual strides to full form and fitness following the horrific injury he sustained whilst initially on loan at the club last season. Robert believes Ben Arfa's move to Newcastle has been the making of him.
The former Newcastle United star, who made 110 appearances for the club between 2001 and 2005, said: "He's (Ben Arfa) a player who likes to win. Newcastle was the best thing that could have happened.
"He's now confident, has a good relationship with his manager, and it's great for the player."
Robert believes his compatriots are excelling in the north east of England because they have all helped each other settle in. The former winger claims his time at Newcastle was the most enjoyable of his career because like the current French contingent, he had others to help him bed in at St James' Park.
"I played for four years at Newcastle and it was the best time of my career," Robert said.
"When I played, I had Sylvain Distin and Olivier Bernard. We had three French players and the communication was very important."
Whilst Newcastle United's flying start has been hugely commendable and an obvious endorsement of their clearly defined transfer policy, some have suggested the next set of fixtures will provide the club with a heavy dose of realism.
