So, here we are, halfway through the 2011-12 campaign and sitting pretty in 7th – our best position in the top flight at this stage of the season since 2003/04.
A season that started off like a drug-infused Olympic sprinter has fizzled out of late with just 5 points gained from the last 24 available. Flat and uninspired performances against Norwich, Swansea, West Brom and Liverpool have highlighted weakness in the Newcastle ranks but what has been identified more than anything, is the importance of our bargain-bought Senegalese talisman, Demba Ba.
With 14 Premier League goals to his name, Ba has been a revelation in the black and white shirt this season for NUFC, showing the kind of form and desire that a Newcastle United No. 9 possesses! It is blatant to any football follower, that for Newcastle to do well in games, they have to utilise Ba as best they can – the Liverpool game being a prime example where Ba was left isolated and therefore contributing somewhat of a subdued performance. As good as he has been at creating things out of nothing, he MUST be given the appropriate support and service if he is to continue in his current form.
However, more worrying than the performance of our other attacking players and the service/support Demba has(n’t) been receiving, is the fact that very soon NUFC will lose their prized asset to the African Cup of Nations and with AP recently stating that no forward shall be bought to replace Ba and add to the attacking line, it really does leave one wondering ‘who on Earth is going to fill his shoes?’
Leon Best? 3 goals in 12 PL starts? Ben Arfa? Still finding his feet and not a favourite of Alan Pardew’s at the moment it would seem! What about Haris Vuckic? Hardly set the world alight on Friday at Anfield and not experienced enough to score a significant amount in the Premier League as yet. Ameobi? Lovenkrands? Ranger? Most fans know how those stories go! With the players currently on the Barcodes’ books, it’s most likely that a collection of players are going to have to find form to replace the work Demba Ba has been doing for NUFC, and on observation of his stats, that’s a MAMMOTH task!
NUFC_Stats looked at Demba’s numbers and compared them with the other ‘on-fire’ forwards currently in the best league in the world!
THE TOP 4 STRIKERS – MID SEASON REPORT 2011/12
The numbers paint a pretty black & white picture of Demba Ba – he just scores goals!! While his all round play is not up to scratch with the top forwards in the Premier League, Ba is as good as any when it comes to putting the ball in the net. He has proven, and the numbers show, that when the ball is with Ba, he produces!
Good luck in the African Cup of Nations Demba, but more importantly, good luck to the players that are giving the responsibility of filling his boots at Newcastle!
Follow me on Twitter @NUFC_Stats
Comments are closed.