GABRIEL Obertan is thankful for the faith and patience Alan Pardew has shown in him this season – and he believes Hatem Ben Arfa will blossom from the same treatment in 2012.

The Gallic pair have endured an up and down couple of months, Obertan criticised in certain quarters for a lack of consistency while his mercurial Newcastle United compatriot Ben Arfa has failed to nail down a starting role since returning from injury.

Against Bolton both made big contributions – Ben Arfa snaffling the first goal while a reborn Obertan tortured the Trotters down their right-hand side.

The former Manchester United winger was the supplier for Demba Ba’s 14th goal of the season, a strike that killed off Bolton’s challenge.

Obertan has pledged to work “hard” to keep improving, while backing the brilliant Ben Arfa to come good next year and fulfil his potential.

Branding the France international a misunderstood talent, he insists he is capable of fitting into a Newcastle system that demands hard work and effort from every man in black and white.

“Hatem is a great player and a great talent,” Obertan said.

“I can understand why he can sometimes be frustrating because he looks as though he is not giving everything he has. Knowing him like I do though, that is not the case.

“He is a hard worker, it is just that the way he is and the way he plays sometimes makes it look as though he is not trying as hard as some other players.

“As a squad, we all know what a great talent he is. If he keeps working hard and giving his all in training, he is going to be a really big hit for this team.

“Some people criticise him for what he cannot do, but we know he is a player who is capable of unlocking situations and that is a great skill to have.

“In a game like the one at Bolton, it was always going to take something special to break them down. It was hard to find a gap, but Hatem did it. He found the net and that was great.”