5. The Magpies Must Improve Upon Their Dismal Set Piece Scoring Record
Newcastle have scored 32 goals in 28 Premier League matches so far this season - hardly prolific in itself - and just six of those have come from set pieces. Interestingly, despite their struggles from corners throughout the whole of Alan Pardew's reign, the Magpies have netted four times from them this campaign - but they have scored just once from a free-kick and once from the penalty spot. Perhaps the penalty stat is unfair - you can only score from a spot-kick if you get given them, which Riviere incorrectly didn't at the weekend, but then again you need to be in the position to be fouled in the box regularly - but overall Newcastle sit joint third-bottom for set-piece goals this season. Only Southampton (five) and Swansea City (three) have scored less. If Cisse isn't around to net from open play, the likes of Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini and Daryl Janmaat need to be scoring some headers - particularly due to the improved crossing accuracy from Sammy Ameobi and Ryan Taylor in the last few matches. Plus Taylor pitching in with a couple of his trademark "Over The Walls" would be most welcome too...