Cisse the great!
Naturally this included numerous prospects, misfits and over-hyped, overpaid players from Anglo-French clubs because of the ever increasing French speaking members of our squad.
Then came the news on the 17th day of the transfer window that Newcastle had made a swoop for a little known striker who played in the Bundesliga for Freiburg. Papiss Demba Cisse was transferred to Newcastle after much speculation about him being in a transfer tug of war which spanned Tyne & Wear. Did the Mackems pay for his flight?? He’s scored 13 in 12, I don’t care if my public sector pension paid for it!!
As well all know he wasn’t able to play for a few weeks after signing because of his participation in the African Cup of Nations for Senegal, and actually jetted out to join up with his international team mates immediately after signing. This could’ve, and probably should have, made it massively difficult for him to settle in a new country never mind a new team. The one thing Newcastle had in their favour was that Demba Ba was also going to the ACoN with Papiss and would probably educate him before he was thrown to the Lions….of Little Benton.
So just how good is he? Lets face it for £10m he’s probably the best and most natural finisher many of us have seen at St James’ Park since Alan Shearer but even then he was a totally different type of finisher. Shearer’s greatest asset was knowing when to arrive to meet the ball and the finishing followed. Cisse’s style of finishing is instinctive, on impulse, he sees the ball, gets it under control and just hits it. During his first few games I wasn’t sure, like many others, whether he would make it in this country. Granted he was full of running but he didn’t seem to have enough strength and power. However he has developed a quick understanding of the English game, and the effort he puts in is so refreshing. His running and hassling of opposition defenders reminds me of Oba Martins but our unlike our Nigerian friend he gives 100% for 100% of the game.
The change came for Cisse when Alan Pardew changed our formation. It was the right time to change it when we had struggled to beat QPR, Villa and Blackburn, drew with Wolves and the Mackems, and suffered defeats at Fulham, Spurs, Brighton, and not to forget heartbreak at Arsenal.
Cisse got off to a good start against Villa but we were struggling to find form and Ba looked out of sorts. Pard’s looked to a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3, if you like, and Cisse found his position, straight through the middle. Ba’s influence should not be discounted even though he couldn’t buy a goal. He was/is Cisse’s big brother and translator in chief, and in return Cisse took the heat off him and the team by bagging goal after goal. Pards played the same formation away at West Brom, as he had when Norwich visited SJP a week before and it worked again with Cisse, Ba and HBA starring again. Then we all know what happened against Liverpool, Swansea, Bolton, Stoke and, ahem, Wigan. Forget the result at the DW, Cisse was fcuking class in the second half and should be proud of himself for keeping going. Pard’s took that defeat on the chin and rectified it with a change in formation at Chelsea. Two wonder strikes later Cisse’s name has been on everyone’s lips since, and rightly so.
All in all you really cant underestimate how good a goal it was at Chelsea but it’s certainly not all he has to offer. In the 13 goals, there has been such a big difference in most of the goals he has scored;
Aston Villa – The snap shot, half volley with the outside of his right foot on the edge of the box.
Wolves – Acrobatically and instinctively turns the ball in from about 8 yards after a Tiote shot.
Norwich – First time half volley from 18 yards after beating the defender to a ball fizzed at him.
West Brom – Easy side foot finish close in from a HBA cross.
West Brom – Side foot from further out this time after good work from HBA and Ba.
Liverpool – A diving header at the back post after peeling off a defender & meeting a floated HBA cross.
Liverpool – Wrong footed keeper with a drag back and lashed the ball home.
Swansea – Through on the keeper after a first time good ball from Cabaye and slots comfortably home.
Swansea – Technically his best? Maybe…after receiving a through ball he maintains forward momentum but flicks out his right leg to meet the ball, the striker somehow managed to conjure up an incredulous chip in front of the away fans.
Bolton – Easy side foot finish close in from a Shola cross.
Stoke – Cisse meets a through ball after running across the back of the defenders and roll it past the keeper.
Chelsea – Santon’s ball inside to Cisse, who controls and flicks ball up, and volleys past Cech.
Chelsea – One of the best goals I have ever witnessed. Shola knocks the ball down, and Cisse hits across the ball first time and the ball whips over Cech. What a goal!!
Can he get better? Of course he can, but he could also do is ACL having some Cheese and Onion Disco crisps for his dinner next week!! I fully expect him to get better, why shouldn’t he, but we might have a struggle in holding on to him as other teams will be interested. All our hierarchy have to say to interested parties is, if you want him, pay us 35 or 40 mill.
When the deal for Carroll was mooted I thought no way, don’t let this happen but now I have so much faith in our scouting network that I think we could lose most players in the team but have someone lined up to take their place. Anyway lets hope that wont happen eh!!!
Onwards, Upwards.
You can follow me on Twitter @billquaymag
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93 Responses
I have no doubts that Cisse will come good. we just need to be patient
Was his goal against Villa not with his left foot? But great article, hopefully he adds to it in the next up coming games. When he signed I thought it would be class if he got 5, he now has 13, just brilliant!
Good read Bill, but on the ending we could get rid of anyone and replace them ?
We can’t keep doing that at sometime it won’t work and apart from that we need stability.
Even Cabaye has said in an interview that we need to keep our best players and add to them.
I just can’t understand fans that would be happy enough to let our best players go, because they think that Carr can keep replacing them.
yep left foot….
Goal poacher supreme – always on the spot for those tap ins.
BD, I don’t think any of us fans are happy when our good players are sold. The only consoling fact that might ease the pain (I wouldn’t call it making fans happy) is that we seem to have a real eye for talent and our success rate on incoming players is exceptional.
Bang on Dave! Absolute folly for people who think there’s a never ending conveyor belt of Cisse’s, Cabaye’s and Tiote’s etc… We’re starting to get a reputation for scouting and buying good players. Soon enough other clubs will say if NCL are in for them they must be good so we’ll have them.
Build, build, build!!
Do you think cisse and Ben arfa will stay. has your chairman got it in him to turn down a good offer?
Aussie lately there has been a hell of a lot of fans that state that its no big deal if we have to get rid, because Carr will find us another gem.
But thats not always the case because sooner or later it will go wrong.
I don’t want to get rid of any of our top players, I want us to keep our top players and add to them with more top players, as imo thats how you build and get better.
Stupot
The club have sold and built a better team at the same time (whilst strengthening the financial position)
Our transfer talks are highly confidential – let others follow our press rumours at their peril – 98% of them are rubbish.
I’ve faith in the club to sell those who they know they can replace with better. But I don’t think we can get better than Cisse at the moment.
So the club have built built built and even though you don’t like what they do you have to admit its been bloody successful.
Stuart…. who is saying that it is cool for us to sell our better players ?? I see a lot of posters expecting players to leave as it has been our policy the past couple of seasons.. but are they content and happy, I think not.. they maybe just seeing the best out of a bad situation..
@Stardust – can’t get better than Cisse “at the moment”?!
I’d be surprised if we could ever get better than Cisse! The man’s a machine!
I couldn’t agree with you more Dave..
I am not buying the fan
Robbie…That’s only happened with one player under Ashley, Andy Carroll, Bids of £20m, £25m and £30m were all turned down before the £35m was accepted. Every player at every club has a price but Ashley will make sure who ever buys off him will pay well over the odds
Agree with Dave and Stuart, bang on.
Sorry meant to say… I am not buying the happy fan talk tho… I don’t want to lose any of our top players, but I expect that a player or two may leave..
Aussie – yes I am happy and content – they have the perfect model for enduring success.
I much prefer this than Chelseas and Man Citys was of winning things.
Stuart-Maybe we should tell the world we’re going to re-sign Smith, maybe some other prem club will get landed with him then
Cisse goals have been amazing, I thought his one against Villa summed up what we could expect from him-instinctive finishing in the box but perhaps not too composed overall or skillful outside the box. Well fook me was I wrong, may have missed a couple of easier opportunites, but all strikers do, then on the weekend he scored an amazing first goal and then…probably the best single shot goal I’ve ever seen. Amazing.
Don’t want him replaced, and I don’t want any of our players replaced. I agree with Dave and Stuart-there isn’t a conveyor belt of players, I’m not saying we’ve been lucky with players (in fact the general ignorance of players like Cabaye and Cisse in this country astounds me) but it cant really last. I’d only really consent to sales of players when we have a replacement already at the club who’s proven their ability, not someone that we can buy cheaper and take a chance on.
Dave – possibly only CR7? Or Messi? Puts megabucks on Cisses head.
If Carrol was 35 (rising to 40 lol) and Torres was 50m what’s Cisse?
Would I accept a 60mn offer for him – yep.
Aussie ok if you want to be awkward, they’re not happy about it but they’re not overly fussed and will go along with it because they think Carr can keep pulling rabbits out of the hat.
As I said I don’t want to see that happen and I want to have a team that my Son and ither young fans can have favourite players and not just for 1 season.
Every fan is happy and content at the moment Stardy.. On and off field things are grand but I draw the line on fans being happy say if Tiote leaves for big money.. Everyone will be disapointed but there seems to be a plan b to every sale.. sure it might take 6 months to come off but.
.. oh and how nice is it that Cisse has ended all the “where is the 35m” talk.. happy days..
I wasn’t trying to be awkward Dave, I want exactly the same things as you mate..
I absolutely hate this talk but I suppose it depends what offer is on the table for any club not just us, The £35m for Carroll was too much to knock back just like the £80m manure recieved for Ronaldo was.
I dont actually think we just caved in and sold as soon as we got an offer, There have been circumstances in most of the departures since ashley bought the club: Transfer requests, Refusing to sign new contracts, Refusing to play because the manager cant pronounce your name, Instructing their agent to get a move months before hiding behind a piss poor performance and calling it the last straw (snidy cunt)
Lets hope Ashleys enjoying having the club in europe for the first time in his tenure and tries to push the club on like to be fair he did in january because theres no way we would have signed Cisse if we were midtable…
“If” we were to grab 4th place, how long wil that week be from our last game until the CL final?..torture
Blip – sorry fella – 19 was meant @ you.
Aussie – if we sold Ciise. Or Tiote for 25 (our most replaceable big name player imo) I wouldn’t be happy but I’d understand and would make the same decision myself.
At some point we have to pay the directors loan to Ashley. He may pay it back over time or eventually when he sells the club – I can’t see him writing it off as profiteers would just take it out again when he relinquishes the club.
I love the idea of being debt free, sustainable and successful.
7 days Rich
Nice try smart arse, it’s actually 6
Stardy you summed up my point of view mate.. I think a lot of fans are in that head space at the moment..
Rich, I love it when you talk dirty to me
Richie
If we finish fourth I will celebrate Barca scoring as much as any NUFC goal in history.
Stardy….I’d rather celebrate Bayern scoring
Barca?? I think you mean Bayern Stardust
Aussie…I imagine you would
Who’s “Bayern Stardust”?
Ha ha, I thought you were bigger than 6″ tho Rich
Fuk, I have met my match in the smart arse stakes, haven’t I
I always think people belittle Ashley’s decision making since we got relegated.
Even though the lies and deceit from both sides p!ssed us off during the Carroll saga, we all knew it was the right deal. As talented as I thought he was, I knew a great deal of it was because the tripod worked so well together, split up they don’t look anywhere near as good.
I don’t think we will just sell players for the sake of it. I don’t think we need to know anyway, we need, what two first teamers maybe? After that it’s just squad players we’ll be after. So we don’t actually need to sell as our team is almost there, there’s not much more reinvesting we could do.
As Troy would say:
Hook line and Aussie (even though I was fishing for a Richiefish)
Stardy there’s no chance I would sell Tiote for 25 mill.
I understand the concept of accepting overinflated bids, but i don’t understand putting all our faith in the scouting network when the offer isn’t enough to warrant the risk. Tiote is only 25, he’s a top athlete and prem proven over two years now, he’s worth a huge amount, and Ashley will know that.
Stardust…. Aussie = bigger mouth = bigger bite
Ha ha as soon as I hit publish I thought this fuker is on the wind up.. fair play you got me
If players went for ridiculous money there’s not much we can do. Only hope that they go to Spain or something, rather than feckin Manure or Chelsea
Oh my two for th a Richiefish and Aussie fish on one hook – good job I’m hungry (Friday is fish and chips day after all – today I will have fish and fish though)
put me in a seperate keep net though, Aussie’s a porv
Your the one talking mouth, bite and knob size Rich
one track mind mate and its in the gutter.. 
@Solano – Need to remember though that transfer fees, in general, are going to drop from here on due to the Financial Fair Play rules. I think £25m would represent good business for Tiote, and I suspect (for better or for worse) that we’ll listen to offers north of £15m.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think anyone WANTS to see players leave, but most have come to accept that we will entertain offers above our valuations of our players. And if we HAVE to sell to buy, I agree that Tiote is the most replaceable.
What motivates players, Money, Success & Crowds. IMO
We don’t need to sell anybody for financial reasons as we are now financially stable. So any move will be because the offer is too good to let go AND the player wants to move. Given our progress over the last 3 years it is clear that success is as likely here as at any other club outside the Manchester Clubs in the UK and a handful across Europe. Our crowds are again top drawer. So the only reason to leave is Cash. Currently the top 50 players are all on £5m per year salaries (£8m+) for the top 10. We could afford that for one player, but not for a full squad.
So given that we have a squad budget of about £60m how should we divi that up.
Does anyone know how much we actually paid for Cisse? Ive read £9mil £10mil but I also remember Carr saying £8.5 mil. Either way its a bargin for this season alone.
I think in regards to player sales if the club get an offer over the value the club have on the player it will be accpeted. Its like 99% of all clubs. I also think some players who have come to us and will come to us will see us as a stepping stone to ‘ bigger and better ‘ things. And I think that is fine ( up to a point ) , we have to realise that is where we are as a club. And I think that club know this and I think the club use that as a selling point for a player joining us.
My theory is that the club will sell a player for big money in the summer and use that to bring in 3-5 players. Going on the success of who we have brought in since last summer the new signings will be just as good and all that jazz. The following summer out of those 5 players maybe 2 leave for bigger money and another 3-5 players as same or higher quality come in. And slowly but surely we build a squad where players wont want to leave becasue they are achieving what they want to here.
Clearly that theory has some flaw’s such as maybe a couple of signings wont work out , we have a bad season and more than 1-2 players will want to leave etc etc.
Colonies…
that hurt ma
*That hurt mate
Johno-I get the impression that the actual fee itself was 8.5mil, but with agent fees and bonuses, as well as a possible sign on fee it could easily stretch to 9-10mil.
Morning folks.
I think Cisse still struggles due to the language barrier at the moment and in that sense can improve. In terms of his goal scoring, I’m not sure there is much to improve on but focus on consistency for next season. Becoming a 20+ goals a season every season.
I expect Cisse and Ba to start the season slowly though as they will still be involved in Ramadan.
I really don’t understand all this talk of selling the lad like, or trying to work out a price for him based of other players fees. It’s madness!!!
My understanding is that he couldn’t play for another club til Jan anyway?!
Regardless, we should be enjoying the fact he’s a toon player and thinking of players we are going to SIGN not SELL.
All of our players, at one stage or another, have came out and said that they love playing for NUFC and are happy to day in the North East. So the players aren’t pushing for a move.
I understand that if a ludicrous offer comes in, but I don’t this we should worry about that until it happens. We don’t have a history of selling our better players – we’ve done it once!
“premandup
May 4, 2012 at 11:24
What motivates players, Money, Success & Crowds. IMO”
Cabaye came here as above all he wanted to play football not just sit on a bench or in the reserves at City etc. Its precisely that character type that will drive us to success – they want to play more than they want to earn megabucks as above a certain level – money becomes irrelevant to them.
NEWKIE aye mate carr himself said the fee they payed cash was 8mill first they wanted 15mil then dropped it to 12mil hes worth many times more now imo
Hi Chaps and Chapettes,
Thanks for all of the comments. Always nice to get them no matter if they are good, bad and indifferent. Thanks for setting me straight about Cisse’s Villa goal, I must’ve blinked and missed it!
As for the comments about accepting selling players. I don’t think it’s about accepting, it’s about understanding. I’m 26 and I grew up in the Keegan era which was full of us buying players and not worrying about the future. Now we have to understand that football finances are going to play a major part in defining whether clubs live or die. So what this means is that when stupid offers come in for players, as they have in the past, I will understand if the club is willing to accept an offer and feels they can replace this player who costs less. Our scouting network cannot be undervalued, it is priceless and has saved us huge amounts of cash.
Bottom line is I don’t want us to be a selling club but if someone bids 30million for Tiote or Cisse or HBA…of course I don’t want them to leave. However, for that money if it means our club won’t go to the wall OR means we can plough money in to the academy then I trust those at the club to make the best decision for the club.
@BillQuayMag
(incidentally my name is Andy, Bill Quay is just where I live…Google it)
Bill…I’ve googled Andy Quay and can’t find owt
In our first season we developed two continental class players (Tiote and Coloccini), arguably Jonas as well
This season a further FIVE have developed for us (HBA, Krul, Ba, Cabaye, Cisse)
We have 7 players that would get into most teams in the league, hopefully we have two players already within our ranks that could possibly join them in Santon and Saylor.
Right back is such a difficult position, I don’t think there is an abundance of amazing right backs in the world, especially not the premier league. Long term it’s probably best to shift Santon over. Such a shame Jose got tempted by Merseyside, Jose and Santon as full backs would’ve been the dream, though the two of them would give so many heart attacks a game with their casual defending..!
RichieToon….you are a wally
Stardy well done lad you have taken to fishing like a duck to water
Aussie must be real hungry cause he bit like a salt water croc. 
Jezz you guys, lay off the Aussie bashing.. I’m not made of stone, I have feelings you know
Rich has turned his into a gang bang.. 
not surprising really 
AMF some fks picking on you mate set of kunts,always fishing,but dont forget they will get holes in there nets,”arse-holes”
just wait your time will come, remember the one who laugh last 
Thanks Ice
I wouldn’t say they are kunts mate because kunts are useful 
all good love the banter…
Ice he near had an arse hole in his net, cause Richie was sniffing round the bait when Aussie zoomed past him to grab it
he has even been known to walk round spain with a brolly 
Billyquaymag tell us something we don’t know
Right scran over may get back to do a bit.
Nice article, Billy Keys.
Cisse has been a phenomenal signing. 8, 9, 10m whatever it was it’s fantastic business. I don’t think we’ll get much interest for him this close season though. Fair enough he’s scored 13 in 12, but he has only played 12 games (hopefully 14 by the time the season finishes). I think any big boys lining up a bid will want to see a bit more of him first before splashing megabucks, I know I would.
As far as selling him goes though, yeah of course an offer of 40m+ would have to be considered, but I’m in the same boat as a few fans on here, whereas I don’t think Carr will always get it right. Statistically he’s got to bring in a ‘Guivarch’ at some point, and even if he gets it right every time teams still need time to gel. We’re up and running now and I really don’t want to see anyone leave, however impractical that may be.
I’d still like to see another striker added to the squad though, with both our Senagalese goalsmiths devoting a worthy chunk of their playing time to their country, both Internationally and through ACoN – it’s hardly a quick jaunt on the ferry.
For the time being though, I want to see us knock Citeh off their high horse and pop their ballooned egos, with a big fat juicy 3 points on Sunday!
The only 1 we developed was Krul
Love how everyone thinks Tiote is replaceable, with who exactly?
Evil – 300 bricks and a bit of Mortar – probably only cost a few grand too!
Perch & Guthrie did OK Evil.
Evil Knievel, personally think it’s vital we hold onto Tiote, Cabaye, and Cisse. Obviously I don’t want anyone else to leave either, but I think they’d probably the hardest to replace.
@Rod – Ben Arfa, I would argue, would be one of the hardest to replace. Players like him are not often available in our price range.
As for replacements for Tiote, what about Diame from Wigan on a free? There’s some Dutch gent that Carr has been scouting too, apparently.
Flattering remarks by Mancini…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17956236
…or a swipe at Ferguson, depending on how you look at it.
BillyQuay(strange surname)
Good article by the way 
Dave…I can safely say I’ve never used a brolly….as for the wally part, well I can’t really disagree
Blip, fk me sorry, I actually FORGOT about Barfa
…of course he’d be in my list too.
Yeah, on Tiote I’m sure there are players out there of similar ilk, but I think him and Cabaye have an almost telepathic partnership and compliment each other greatly. I think it’s more about breaking up the bond of 3 (ahem) 4 key players for me.
…plus I like Tiote’s head.
Richie, I thought Billy Quay might have been some nickname for Willington Quay at first.
Good call Blip, Diame certainly has protected the Wigan defensive unit this season
also remember how good Nzog was for them.. some times a slightly above average player stands out in an average team.
Alright Aussie, just a thought =P.
I’m sure whoever we do move for in the summer, we’ll have done adequate research on. I obviously agree that not *every* incoming will be a Carr special, but currently I think ‘In Carr we trust’ is a fair viewpoint.
Very true Aussie……”slightly above average player stands out in an average team”….that must mean our fab 4 are outstanding then, given the fact NUFC are shit hot
Zog was good for us too, when we were quite average.
…haha, another pearler to add to our chum Enrique’s words of wisdom.
“”After four years at Newcastle, I want to reach a higher level of ambition. I don’t think that is possible here.” Barcelona or Arsenal being his preferred destinations.
Rodz
Since Diame has been in the limelight this season then why isn’t he linked with the ‘top clubs’ then? Probably cos he is no Tiote! If he was as good as Tiote plus being on a free…do you not think they would prefer him? It’s cos he isn’t on the same level, or any where near actually.
Stardust – He is like a brick wall with legs attached!
Stability breeds success.
Rod, I don’t know if you saw it but Glen Johnson was on Soccer am and he was answering the series of questions they ask players.
His answers were interesting…
Worst dress sense -Enrique
Most time in front of the mirror – Enrique
Least intelligent – Enrique
So that quote noted there sounds about right… Has Enrique been called up for Spain yet (another ambitin that wouldn’t be realised at Newcastle)
Premandup – Exactly they did OK. Perch has been a great improvement but upto the level on Tiote when asked to play DM? No where near!
As for Guthrie, he isn’t a DM and is awful at it. He is a backup for Cabaye in my eyes, not Tiote.
Aussie… Just as well you’re not a Liverpool player, Enrique would have got off scot-free
Rich, good thing I left the question “who the longest in the shower” off that list then
Aussie@85, Peter Lovenkrands of all people apparently gets that hallowed accolade for us
…I’m not one for racial stereotyping, but I wasn’t expecting that one. As for intelligence, I never really had Enrique down as an academic type. It’s weird how people who look thick, quite often are.
…ah, that quote Aussie was actually from N’Zogbia as well mate, not Enrique. They both came out with equally laughable spouts.
Rodz
know what you are sayin about people who look thick.Its the same with Ritchie except he writes thick 
of course I write “thick” I only have crayons
Rich
hahaha
Well I don’t want us to lose Cisse ,we’ve only just got him for gods sake and I would be spitting nails if mike cashed in . Can you imagine him at an English club against us ,awful prospect .
The same goes for Tiote ,Cabaye and Benny and BA and Krul and Colo too .
Andy (of Bill Quay) – my grandparents live next to Pelaw social club so spent quite a few school hols at the Bill Quay farm or on the banks watching the tall ships. My grandad is good mates with the fella that used to have Bill Quay garages and of course I grew up calling him Bill
Nice article anyway buddy