5 Possible Systems Pardew Might Use To Accommodate Newcastle's New Signings

3. A Dynamic 4-3-3 To Unleash Cabella

If there's been one moment during Pardew's time at Newcastle when he's really stumbled upon tactical paydirt, it was in the opening months of 2012 when he decided to stop rotating his best attackers and played them all in a 4-3-3. Back then it was Demba Ba and Ben Arfa either side of Pappis Cisse, but if he's to get the best out of new signing Remy Cabella, a similar system might yield positive results.

Cabella has grown from a bit-part player in Montpellier's title-winning squad of a few seasons ago into the one shining light in a team on the decline. His appearances for the French national team have produced stunning goals, and his highlights video on Youtube actually carries a warning message about causing disorientation*. Giving him the freedom to unpick defences is critical, but as has been proven time and again, those pockets of space in and around the box that seems to exist in other leagues, are seldom there in the English game. Defenders are on you too quickly, and Cabella will need to be managed carefully if he's not to be bullied out of the game.

A wider role, where he'd be free to bamboozle a full back out wide and then meander into the centre where covering defenders will be cautious of committing themselves toward him, offers both width and incisiveness.

With a creative focus on the flank, stability and functionality are key in the centre and this is arguably the system most suited to Jack Colback, who offers more physicality and energy than Vurnon Anita, and can diligently pop up across the field filling in gaps and covering for overlapping fullbacks. You'd also imagine that any ambition by Pardew on one side of the pitch would be matched by caution on the other, so if Cabella is the focus expect to see Gouffran or Sissoko conservatively deployed elsewhere.

*Okay, that's a lie, but it should.