Under-fire Newcastle manager Alan Pardew finally found an ally in one of his former midfielders Yohan Cabaye.
Cabaye, 28, made 79 league appearances for the Tyneside club from 2011-14, defecting to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in January and Newcastle s fortunes spiralled downwards after his departure.
The France international threw his support behind his old boss Pardew, who is in much need of a friend with his job on the line.
The manager is in trouble now but he shouldn t get all the complaints because it s not only about him, so I am sad for him and want to wish him all the best, Cabaye told The Guardian.
When I was there and the second season wasn t good, the fact was that we were the players on the pitch.
Cabaye said he was a fan of Pardew as he is a coach of his players, who are not playing for him this season with Newcastle languishing in 19th spot in the league with three points from six games.
I like him because he gave me confidence to play, and to play as I did for two-and-a-half years, the Frenchman added.
As manager he is really close to the players and talks a lot with them. He puts them in a good position to play well and we give him back our trust.
Cabaye said he has lost no respect for Pardew, despite the swathe of critics calling for his sacking.
I didn t have the opportunity to speak with him or even to call him, but I know that if he texted me, called me or wanted to meet me in Paris, I would do it with pleasure, he said.
I just want to give him back whatever he gave me. He s a good manager and is going to stay that way in my mind.
