Newcastle United made some terrific signings last summer, but did they all come off?
Here’s our verdict…
Demba Ba
In the first half of the season, Demba Ba was a phenomenon. In an excellent piece of transfer business he was picked up on a free, and carried on the form he showed in early 2011 with West Ham. Only departure to the African Nations Cup slowed his progress, and it is possible he was also unsettled by transfer talk. More to do with it, was the re-adjustment required with the club accommodating Papiss Cisse into the starting line up, and if both the Sengalese stay, Newcastle’s future is bright. Despite his end of season form, his price tag, or lack of it, and early season showing are enough to earn top marks. Grade: A
Yohan Cabaye
Yohan Cabaye is up there for the signing of the season, a consistent performer throughout the campaign. He will feature for France at Euro 2012 along with teammate Hatem Ben Arfa, and Newcastle will be keen the pair return healthy and in one piece. The midfielder cost just £5 million from Lille, and is another major success for Newcastle’s scouting department. He has struck up an impressive partnership with Cheik Tiote and his highlight was a stunning free-kick scored in the 3-0 victory over Manchester United. Grade: A
Gabriel Obertan
Obertan was a ‘cast-off’ from Manchester United, never cutting the mustard at Old Trafford, and as yet he is still to convince at Newcastle. He has enjoyed more pitch time, with less pressure, and has shown flashes of what he can do, but is yet to show he deserves a first team place. Next season is a big one for him, he needs to kick on with confidence and prove his potential. Grade: C
Sylvain Marveaux
Right winger Marveaux was another Frenchman signed by Newcastle last summer, but he has been the invisible man at St James Park. He has only had one league start this season, missing it with a groin injury, although returned to play 45 minutes on the final day against Everton. Fans will want him to rest up and get fit for next season. Grade: D
Davide Santon
Left-back Davide Santon was signed from Inter Milan and struggled to make it into the first team at first. After biding him time, he was given his chance and didn’t let the club down. There were concerns about his ability to adapt to English football and his injury record but he proved the doubters wrong on both counts. A challenge remains next season to see off Ryan Taylor’s competition for the left-back spot, but his experience of European football should be invaluable to the team. Grade: B
Papiss Cisse
What. A. Buy. Papiss Cisse’s impact at Newcastle has been superb, scoring 13 goals in 13 starts. If Demba Ba does leave, Newcastle will rest assured that with Cisse they will not be left short. As a player he is unpredictable, lively, and he has been full of confidence, and not afraid to shoot from absolutely anywhere. The only negative, if we were being picky, was that the dream partnership with Ba has not lit up yet, and fans will hope that next season they will reach new heights. Grade: A
Do you agree with our assessments?
image: © mikebrown59
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