As we move into the second international break of the season, Alan Pardew’s Newcastle are sitting pretty in fourth place in the Premier League. One of only four sides remaining unbeaten, the Geordie favourites have surprised the doubters with a series of battling performances that sees them rubbing shoulders with the top-flight’s elite, with fifteen points after seven games.
The summer departures of key men Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan had many predicting a struggle for the club- with a twelfth-placed finish last time round, only seven points above the relegation places, Pardew looked to have a battle on his hands, with little money invested in his first-team squad since last May. The Newcastle boss has bought wisely, however, and with a Gallic flavour added to the ranks, WhoScored analyse just how Newcastle are exceeding all expectations:
Team Stats
Newcastle’s success has been based on a solid team ethic that has seen them concede just 4 goals so far this season- the best defence in the division. They’ve made 21 tackles per game; the same number as Liverpool and Sunderland and second only to QPR (22), but have also supplemented this with an average 16 interceptions- more than these three teams.
Their ability in the challenge makes up for a lack of real attacking edge so far- Pardew’s side have scored just 9 goals so far this season, averaging 14 shots per game, with 4 on target. They tend not to dominate games, either; an average 49% possession over their seven fixtures only adds to their impressive start of four wins and three draws, then.
Taylor Commanding
Steven Taylor has been instrumental in the heart of the back-four for Pardew’s side. A series of defiant displays at centre half has seen him block 1.9 shots per game- more than the other three defenders combined. Taylor’s reading of the game also means he’s averaged 11.6 clearances per game; fellow centre half Fabricio Coloccini has made 7.9 in comparison. In the air, Taylor has also excelled, winning 58% of aerial challenges with Coloccini on 50%. He’s also shown a great temperament in the challenge, making just 0.3 fouls per game.
As mentioned, Taylor’s reading of the game means he’s not needed to make many tackles (0.7) or interceptions (1.4); Coloccini takes on the mantle in the centre, making 2.4 and 2.7 in comparison.
Cabaye Key
Pardew’s acquisition of Yohan Cabaye from French champions Lille this summer has proved to be a shrewd piece of business. A ridiculously low price of £4.3m for the central midfielder’s services is an absolute steal and a look at his stats alongside Cheik Tiote in in the engine room show just how crucial a player he is for Newcastle.
Newcastle’s style of play means the pair sees more of the ball than any other players; Tiote makes 55 passes per game, with Cabaye on 42.1. The latter’s set-piece duties and creativity means he’s top for key passes (2.3) and –despite yet finding the net- also presents a considerable goal threat, with 1.9 shots per game.
A look at Newcastle’s shape in their last game at Wolves shows how much Cabaye (4) gets forward- as Tiote (24) sits deep and provides him a platform to attack, the Frenchman gets into attacking areas and lends a hand to front two Demba Ba (19) and Leon Best (20).
Both Cabaye and Tiote also lead the way for tackles, with their ball-winning ability in the crucial central area indicative of Newcastle’s steel. Cabaye tops the charts for Pardew’s side with 4.3 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game, with Tiote making 3.3 and 2.7 respectively. Cabaye’s all-round game makes him Newcastle’s top-rated player in the WhoScored rankings with a rating of 7.43 per game highlighting his importance to his new club.
Gutierrez Strong All-Round
A goal in last weekend’s win at Wolves highlighted Jonas Gutierrez’s ability when driving forward and attacking the opposition; he has averaged 2.4 shots and 1.4 successful dribbles per game, the most of any Newcastle player for either category. What’s more impressive here is that 31% of Newcastle’s attacks come down Gutierrez’s left side of the pitch, compared to 38% on the right.
While known more for his silky skills and ability to beat a man with ease, the Argentine’s work-rate is eye-catching; 2.3 tackles and 1.9 interceptions is again indicative of the team ethic instilled by Pardew. This more than makes up for a distinct lack of creativity from the flanks, though- neither Gutierrez or Gabriel Obertan on the right have produced a single assist between them as of yet.
Indeed, a look at the man of the match awards won by the side show the team is the star- Newcastle have picked up six awards in their seven games so far, but no player has picked up the award more than once.
Best Be Good
Pardew’s 4-4-2, combined with the work-rate of the team, means the team are ever-reliant on their front two to produce the goals. Seven of the nine goals scored so far have come from strike duo Leon Best and Demba Ba, with 3 and 4 respectively. Both have averaged 2.3 shots per game- compare this to Shola Ameobi, with 1 shot per game and no goals, and Peter Lovenkrands (0.3 and 0)- if Newcastle are to succeed this season, it’s clear their forwards ability to find the net is integral; only two other players, Gutierrez and Ryan Taylor, have scored this season, with Taylor’s effort from a free-kick.
Best’s exceptional ability in the air has been key to his side; he’s won 61% of aerial duels compared to Ba’s 41%. Dropping slightly deeper and providing plenty knock-ons, he has also made 1.8 key passes to Ba’s 0.5 and is demonstrating a more superior all-round game of the two so far, despite Ba grabbing a goal more so far. With WhoScored ratings of 7.17 and 7.08, they are second and third for the club respectively.
