Papiss Cisse has made a phenomenal start to his career at Newcastle.
Papiss Cisse – after scoring (again) on Sunday
There’s not many strikers can start their careers in the English Premier League with five goals in six appearances.
But that’s exactly what Papiss has done and he is a credit to the famous Newcastle number 9 shirt.
His strike partner is going through a barren spell at the moment, but Demba Ba’s play on Sunday for Newcastle was first class, and it looks like Alan Pardew in making the lad into an even better striker.
His link up play is now excellent, and we’re not all worried he hasn’t scored in the last four games, since Papiss is sticking them in the net, and Ba is helping his mate do just that.
Maybe Ba will get a hat-trick against Liverpool – and I’m only half joking there – because the 26 year-old already has two hat tricks this season, against Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City.
Papiss Cisse seems happy enough on Tyneside, and it seems one of his football ambitions is to play in the European Champions League:
“We wanted the three points. The whole team played well and gave the attackers the chances to score a lot of goals.”
“For me, that is five goals now and I hope to score even more.” “I always pray to God to give me the strength to be good on the pitch and do what I have to do.”
“My dream is to play in the Champions League,” “Right now we are on the right path to do that. We have to continue like this, keep picking up victories.
“We have got Liverpool at home at the weekend. It won’t be an easy match but we are going to do everything we can to win it.”
Although Cisse and Ba are both Senegal Internationals, they haven’t played together too much, and in that opening half on Sunday, when Newcastle played in a 4-3-3 formation, the three up front – Ben Arfa, Demba Ba and Papiss were simply awesome together.
Something’s working very well in training for the lads to play like they did in that first half on Sunday.
And Newcastle were solid enough in the second half too, apart from the daft mistake that let Shane Long score for West Brom after 52 minutes.
Next up is Liverpool, and their defense isn’t exactly water-tight – so we are hoping Newcastle can take their good form into that game on Sunday afternoon.
The game is again being televised live around the world, and we are hoping we can take all 3 points out of that game.
That would be three wins on the trot, and we’ll all be flying high.
Comments welcome.
38 comments so far
shearerno9
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Comment #1If we can beat liverpool that is 6th spot nailed on barring a complete disaster and it also might even allow us kisck on and take that 5th place spot…. I dont expect 5th or even think we can get it as chelsea will be solid enough but if theres a chance im happy enough to have it 🙂
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:21 AM
Comment #2To try and show everyone that I’m not all completely in love with Pardew….I don’t think Pardew has done too much to make Ba into what he is today. He had a good goal scoring record at West Ham and it continued here (Bar his poor start due to Ramadan).
There…I took some credit away from Pardew. I’m now going to go and cry in the corner for a while, huddled in a ball
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:22 AM
Comment #3Shearer. I’d love to take 3 points off Liverpool, such a big game for us. Don’t think it should be seen as a disaster if we don’t though. If we do win, the Chelsea game will certainly have an added bit of spice to it
WWJBD
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Comment #4Certainly hit the ground running the lad laughable that the papers were touting him as a flop and that the fans had turned on him. He loves to score and runs himself into the ground which is exactly what St James loves
Easy to forget that the lad is very limited in communication with team mates next season he could have a stupid number of goals unless the quality of defending across the league improves dramatically
martoon
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Comment #5CODARM – Ba has always been a goal scorer but I think Ed is trying to say Pardew has improved his link up play etc. I can’t remember Ba at West Ham so I’m not sure if that is true or not.
MUTINYbyLEMONS
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Comment #6@CODARM
Pardew deserves credit for buying Ba tho and BA is Pardew’s signing as our cheif scout Carr said
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:37 AM
Comment #7Lol…Sorry I’m such a negger. I’ll try and improve my ways 🙂
Not sure if his link up play has improved that much, as saw very little of him prior to him joining us. I know his goal record at west ham was pretty good. No denying getting him on a free was some great business, if not the best business of the season!
MUTINYbyLEMONS
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Comment #8What’s the best we can realistically hope to achieve against Liverpool? I was hoping for a win but now that Colo is out I am doubtful. Although it’s not actually him I m worried about, its Williamson. Colo will be replaced by pacey Perch. And if Liverpool play Suarez and Bellamy, we will need pace and I am afraid Williamson will not be able to cope with them. However if Carroll plays then he will do OK.
Dannyo
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:42 AM
Comment #9I think we should be content with a draw against liverpool due to our current state of the back 4.
A win would take us to dizzying hights.
I’m kinda still waiting for us to spontanuasly combust.
AMEOBI
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Comment #10Spot on with Cisse, I’d love champions league but hope we dont get it simply because our squad isnt big enough, you need one hell of a big team to compete with the big ones, even europe we will stuggle, like Ashley said 5year plan, if you think of it, hes been a massive success, 2 seasons then compete with top 6 that would be amazing!
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Comment #11Mutiny…Who would of thought when we sold Carroll, we’d actually want to come up against him?
What can we realistically expect? Anything. If we play like we did in that first half, we’re almost guaranteed goals. Our back line is worrying and I’ll be shocked if we keep a clean sheet. For me, the most unlikely score would be 0-0
AMEOBI
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:48 AM
Comment #12MUTINYbyLEMONS,
I think its going to be a classic “you score one, we’ll score two”
MUTINYbyLEMONS
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Comment #13You are right, we need our front trio to be on fire again and get goals. Might be an old school “score one more than them” game for us but hopefully our back four will manage. Having Tiote back in midfeild will do no harm to the defence either
Alan_Pard_Who
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Comment #14If Carroll plays we will win, if Bellamy plays we may loose!
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Comment #15tbh…I think we’ll struggle with either CL or Europe next year. We are just too thin as a squad. We’ve done well in the league this year, but had early exit in both cups. It’s great we’re in with a shout at Europe, but I just can’t see it being our priority next year. There going to want another qualification season, so PL must be the priority each year, as is with most top 4-6 PL teams. Doing well one year and not competing the next is not progress really
MUTINYbyLEMONS
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Comment #16oops sorry AMEOBI, i didn’t read your post lol before i posted
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Comment #17If both teams turn up it’s due to be a great encounter. Would be great if both teams keep their current form…on that basis, we’ll destroy them. I truly expect them to turn up and want a win though. 2 losses on the trot from relegation threatened teams is a right kick up the backside
WWJBD
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Comment #18I doubt Carroll will start frame of mind and atmosphere work against him.
Bell-end and racist are more likely as the tore us apart last time but Suarez takes 10 shots to score and Bell is moody. Gerrard is the biggest threat for me
jesperfuglsang
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Comment #19WWJBD long time no see 🙂
What’s you been up to?
Liverpool seems to be in a slum at the moment so it’s up to us to make the best of it 🙂 our defense is just a worry of mine. Bellemy was all over us the last time around.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Comment #20Jesper…Liverpool is a slum 🙂
AMEOBI
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:54 AM
Comment #21CODARM,
“Doing well one year and not competing the next is not progress really” Erm keep that reply till next season? Yeah cant say we wont do well in a years time, christ..
Mutiny,
You got it right in your post 😉
jesperfuglsang
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Comment #22Ibiza, point taken 😛 lol
WWJBD
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Comment #23Jesper
Working hard of late tbh haven’t had the time to come on plus seemed to be a lot of crap being spouted that I couldn’t be on with but seems to of settled again haha cheers for asking mate how’s tricks with u?
FloridaToon
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Comment #24A draw would be a good result and keep our 8 pt cushion on them. But a loss wouldn’t be the end of the world.
Right now we need to root for the top clubs(in the standings) to make the FA final. If we finish behind L-pool it doesn’t effect us making Europe.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Comment #25Ameobi…. I didn’t mean to say we wont do well, if that is what I said. More a point of caution. How many teams have gotten in to Europe one season and not been able to balance both that and their domestic objectives? All I was trying to say whether CL or Europe we have a small squad and in my opinion the PL should still be our main objective. So great that we qualify, just I don’t think we should be expecting to take either tournament by storm. Slow and steady progress is what we’re doing. One great season, doesn’t make up for the past few. We’re still re-building…but it certainly is starting to look fantastic
jesperfuglsang
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Comment #26WWJBD
Same here plus family life has been a priority of late 😉 well it is always of cause hehe.
It has. been crazy in here for a while; my activity has been too a minimum of late. Though I have missed some of the sane people on here – so welcome back mate 😉 lol
AMEOBI
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Comment #27Codarm,
Aye mate exactly look at Stoke and Birmingham.. Yeah we’re a better team haha but like as you say small which yeah we do, am just loving this season!!
Alan_Pard_Who
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Comment #28CODARM are you not a general in optimism valley?
You may be taken out and shot for your slight negativity there!
I know what you mean though, if we do get into europe we need much more strength in terms of quality and numbers but I doubt we can sign anymore than 5 players?!
MUTINYbyLEMONS
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Comment #29Being in Europe will also give us a chance to give our kids some games with the first team. More rotation will mean kids improving and if they get really good as expected, we might really benefit from being in Europe. Also it will bring us more money and players like Tiote, Ba are more likely to stay and we will attract good players. Positives easily outweigh the negatives even if Europe may not be a priority next year.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Comment #30Ameobi…This season has been incredible really. I am one happy toon fan!
Pard_who…I’m one of the founding Mayors 🙂 We don’t shoot people, just attack them with daffodils, of course. Not trying to be negative, honestly. Residents of OV must be objective and honest as well as optimistic. Otherwise we just give credit to those who think we’re delusional. I’m still optimistic, however to think we’ll do well in the league, Europe and possibly cups is a tad too far me thinks 🙂
John
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Comment #31Has to be siad you def take something away from Ba when you play him out left to accomodate cisse, cisse seems to miss alot of chances too you dnt get them in tight games they can be the difference of winning or losing, AP needs to wk with him on the finishing part of his game and he could well turn out to be the bargin of the season.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Comment #32John…work with cisse on his goal scoring? Improvement is always welcome, but come on, 5 goals in 6 games
wynsleap
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Comment #33Watching Cisse is like having Andy Cole again.
Fast, lithe and when he languidly swings his leg – lethal on goal.
I remember Andy destroying Liverpool at SJP with devastating strikes on the edge of the box with crosses coming in. Lets hope Papiss does the same on Sunday.
Think we’ll have to score two at least, however, as I can’t see our Colo-less defence holding out against Gerrard (who always seems to scupper us) and Bellamy (‘the scoring, returning player’ syndrome).
Finally onto Cisse again – I think this guy is going be our next No. 9 legend and will be phenomenal next season once he ‘settles in’ and speaks our language.
Billy1985
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:58 AM
Comment #34cisse is great but i think he can do much better as he doesnt seem to be 100% yet but doing a great job. he reminds me of andy cole when he came here. just happy we are doing great and hopefully beat the scousers at the weekend
check the toastie
Mar 27, 2012 at 1:40 PM
Comment #35Cisse is cass and totally agree with wynsleap the boy has a look of a harder working Andy cole, however without the sh1t attitude, already luv him to bits, class.
God knows how much he is really worth in todays Premier league market place, already doubled his value in 6 games, we ae gud currently at buying players, the best in fact.
cupiddstunt
Mar 27, 2012 at 1:45 PM
Comment #36AMEOBI @ # 10
Such a negative attitude coming from such a positive namesake.
What do you mean you hope we don’t get a CL spot?
A CL spot will draw better players our way and ease the recruitment of better talent thus making the team better.
A CL spot would almost certainly have MA loosen the purse strings and allow more squad strengthening.
A CL spot will almost guarantee that not only would the players leaving this summer get replaced one for one but additions would be made to deepen the squad as a whole.
And you hope we don’t make it??????????
estechco
Mar 27, 2012 at 2:47 PM
Comment #37Billy1985: Was about to say exactly that. Don’t think this lad has got out of 3rd gear yet. When he does, he will be a monster!
geordiejamie89
Mar 27, 2012 at 7:02 PM
Comment #38Our 3-1 away win sunday just gone didn’t do our performance justice. If we spend time during the match playing as well against Liverpool we stand every chance. Lets not forget there’ll be 50,000 or so willing the team on. I think with the team we have, we’ve got a good chance. I’d like to see Newcastle make the most of it, but I think Liverpool will play like it’s the most important game of the season. 11 point clear of Liverpool possible this weekend and above Chelsea, it’s mental!