Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote has insisted he will continue to play with controlled aggression.
Newcastle midfielder will stick to aggression
Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote has insisted he will continue to play with controlled aggression as he looks to make his mark on the Premier League.
The Ivory Coast international has impressed since joining the Magpies from FC Twente with a series of dynamic performances in the centre of the pitch.
The 24-year-old's tough tackling has been important for Newcastle and he has no intention of altering his combative approach.
Tiote feels he would be 'killing himself' if he attempted a more cautious style, although he admits he will have to cut out needless yellow cards.
"I don't want to change - it's my football," he told the Newcastle Chronicle.
"I have to be careful about silly bookings, but I don't want to change. If I change, then I am killing myself.
Confidence
"This is my style and if I do have to change, I might as well go back to Holland!"
Tiote was again a key player in Newcastle's 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday and he was delighted with the point following the previous heavy defeat to Bolton.
He said: "For me, it's a good result, because Chelsea are a big club. They were playing to win the game, and the draw is a good result for us.
"Bolton was a bad result - 5-1 isn't good for your confidence, for the team, and for the manager.
"The team worked hard, and to draw 1-1 against Chelsea is a good result."