The first thing noticed is the amount Ba has seen the ball since Cisse’s arrival. He now has nearly 50% more touches of the ball per game compared to before Papiss Cisse signed as well as making 57% more passes per game at a better success rate.
Ba has only made 2 assists all season in the Premier League, 1 each either side of Cisse’s signing, but his goal scoring obviously is the biggest issue – scoring in 79% of games on average compared to 13% now.
Having said that though, it isn’t because he isn’t being presented with the chances. Demba Ba actually has slightly more shots per game since Papiss Cisse came into the team (0.09). He also, probably because of the slight change in positional roles, produces more crosses per game than he did pre Cisse.
Finally, a look at how Ba has changed in terms of his provision for others shows that, although his personal goals tally may have declined, he now creates more chances for others per game on average than he did prior to his fellow countryman’s signing.
Based on the numbers, Demba Ba’s performance since the ACON and since Papiss Cisse’s signing for Newcastle is of no worry whatsoever! Yes, his goal record has deteriorated, but he is not the only forward for that to happen to this season. Since Christmas, Robin van Persie has scored just 9 f his 26 Premier League goals and Sergio Aguero has managed just 4 of his 17 in that same time.
Ba may look to be playing a role different that he did earlier in the season, but that isn’t down to Papiss Cisse. The introduction to the forward line up of Hatem Ben Arfa, where his defensive duties are restricted, have seen Ba start in a wider left position. But actually, because of the way HBA plays the game, Ba still plies his trade mainly through the middle. He just doesn’t seem to be getting the ‘rub of the green’ at present.
Someone as professional as Ba won’t be too disillusioned by his lack of goals since January. He clearly is still getting the chances and he is seeing his teammate do very, very well in his new league. What will be most important to Demba Ba, will be Newcastle’s development over this season and their plans for the future.
All of the stats from this article have been taken from the Opta Stats Centre at EPLIndex.com – Subscribe Now (Includes author privileges!) See Demo’s and videos about the Stats Centre & read about new additions to the stats centre.
