Newcastle striker Demba Ba believes his current side have a lot in common with the Hoffenheim team which shook up the Bundesliga in the 2008-09 season.
The German club were newly promoted but led the league at the halfway point of the season before cementing a seventh place finish, which was still beyond their expectations.
Ba’s personal contribution was 14 goals in 35 games and although Newcastle’s precise circumstances are not identical to those of Hoffenheim, he believes that there are a lot of common factors.
“What I saw in Hoffenheim is the same thing here,” Ba told BBC Newcastle.
“We have a young manager who knows how to manage and the team is similar, good footballers, good with the ball.”
As with his spell at Hoffenheim, Ba has been instrumental in Newcastle’s good fortunes this season, clocking up an impressive 11 goals in 16 games. Those tracking the African Cup of Nations betting will have been very impressed by his efforts.
His goals helped ensure Newcastle were unbeaten until they faced league-leaders Manchester City and a penalty against Manchester United in their next game saw the side grab a valuable point from a tough fixture.
He was back among the goals during the side’s trip to Norwich City, but his fantastic brace was in vein as defensive frailties saw Newcastle ship four goals to go down 4-2.
The Magpies may end up paying the price of Ba’s fine form though, with a call up for the African Cup of Nations looking almost certain for the Senegal striker and he could miss up to eight Premier League games if his national side go all the way.