Alan Pardew: 'January signings making the difference'

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has said that he has no doubts that the club's change in fortunes this season is down to their January signings.

The Magpies beat Southampton 4-2 at St James' Park on Sunday to continue their recent good form, having endured a poor start to the campaign.

However, the boss, who is adamant that the new boys deserve a lot of credit, believes that the Toon Army can continue to get better and better.

"Six weeks ago we wouldn't have won that game," said Pardew. "Losing Demba Ba, losing Yohan Cabaye, losing Steven Taylor and playing a lot of the season without Fabricio Coloccini and Cheik Tiote, it takes its toll.

"At this level you need your best players on the pitch, and we have that now. We've come on recently and we needed to. We have 30 points, we're three points off 10th, we're in the Europa League and we're looking good in it and suddenly our season is turning.

"There's a different feel to the club now and everybody's contributed. If we didn't have the financial input from [club owner] Mike Ashley we wouldn't be in this position, and we needed it."

Newcastle currently sit 14th in the Premier League.