Alan Smith: "It would have been easy for him to up sticks and go back to Spain after last season.
"Full credit to him, we're seeing the best of him now.
"Any good team that has won anything, Chelsea or Manchester United, the foundation has been built on clean sheets and 1-0 victories.
"Over the last 10 years Newcastle have not been renowned for being solid defensively, but the keeper and the two centre-halves have been outstanding this season."