After the euphoria of a Top Six finish last season, the first half of the 2012-13 has been something of a low for Newcastle United.
More was expected especially considering the fact that the club kept hold of their key players during the summer.
Of course a lengthy injury list particularly in the creative midfield berths has contributed to Newcastle’s current plight. Six defeats in their last seven have left the team mired in 15th, two points above the drop zone.
Alan Pardew’s tactics have not helped. He has often relied on a rigid 4-4-2 with Senegalese pair Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse partnered up front.
Similar players
They may hail from the same nation but time has proven that they cannot play together in a front two together.
For a start they are similar players in that their game is based on pace and power.
Ba has done well this season scoring 11 league goals - including one in yesterday's loss against Man City - but Cisse has struggled, particularly when it comes to decision-making.
Cisse has been flagged offside 16 times in comparison to his strike partner’s seven.
But evidence from last year should have warned Pardew that the talented Senegalese duo does not work well together.
Last season Ba started the season at centre-forward and finished top-scorer with 16 goals.
But the last of those goals came when in February 2012.
Coincidentally, Cisse arrived at St James Park from SC Freiburg in a €9.8 million a month earlier and plundered 13 goals in 13 league games between then and the end of the season.
Ba found himself shunted onto the left-wing to accommodate his compatriot up front which had a negative effect on his own strike rate.
But this season Pardew attempt to play both strikers up front together has had the opposite effect. Ba has thrived in a forward role, while Cisse has struggled to share the burden.
The logical conclusion would appear to be dropping Cisse and adding an extra body in midfield - or at least alternating the pair.
But that decision might be taken out of Pardew’s hands. Contract talks with Ba appear to have failed as he edges towards the exit door.
It will be a huge blow for Newcastle, although it might give Cisse a boost.
