Is the Newcastle manager looking to a future without Demba Ba? It certainly loos that way.
Alan Pardew: “Papiss is a victim of our injury problems. Without Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye, we have lacked quality in the last third and have not created a lot of moments for him to score.
"Hopefully we can create more moments for him and he will start scoring goals soon.
“I can confidently predict Papiss will score more goals in the second half of the season.
“In some respects, playing right has helped his game and his ball retention. He needed to improve on that as a striker.
"I thought, even last year when he was scoring goals, that was a weakness in his game.
“He has improved that. It has taken the pressure off him to score goals that has helped a little bit. He’s still had chances.
“I called him a victim because of a lack of creativity in the team.
“We do lack a bit of creative flair for the strikers and although we are putting in plenty of crosses, and the bulk of goals will come from crosses at any level, you still need that quality moment.
"I can think of three or four quality passes from Cabaye that created goals last season.
“The goal against Swansea, for example.
“That type of pass is something we are turning to Vurnon Anita for.
“He made a great pass against Manchester City to set up Papiss, so it is coming back to the team.
“Papiss just wants to play well.
“He loves Newcastle and the fans love him.
“That showed in his and their reaction.
“I have no problem with that. It’s not a bad thing; it’s a good thing.
“He knows he has the love of the fans on his side, although he’s had a disappointing time. But he is a goalscorer, so what more would you want as a striker (their love).
“Papiss is just the same off the park. He’s not really changed. When you look at him in training, we are a little bit perplexed as to why he’s not scoring goals.
“I thought he had three good chances on Saturday, including one at the back post and another couple of headers.
“He is getting there, getting chances and that’s the main thing.
“I have talked to him. But I’m not going to tell you what I said to him.
“I actually think the boos were a nice moment for him.
“He seemed to walk very slowly when he came off. You can’t ask for more from our fans with the run we’ve been on.
“They have really showed their patience.
“I’m not just saying that to gain favour with them. It’s the truth.”
Source: Newcastle United Mad
Source: FOOTYMAD
