8 Areas Newcastle United Must Improve Upon To Cope With Papiss Cisse's Suspension

4. Newcastle's Midfielders Must Share The Goal Burden That Weighs Heavily On Cisse's Shoulders

A general point exacerbated by Cisse's absence, but John Carver must expect his midfielders to contribute a greater number of goals. If you count Newcastle's "wingers" as "midfielders", then between the 12 of them who have appeared this season they have returned just 12 goals from 132 cumulative starts. Jack Colback leads the way with three, while Moussa Sissoko, Sammy Ameobi and Yoan Gouffran are the only other midfielders to contribute more than a solitary strike this campaign. The 37.5% of Newcastle's goals contributed from midfield this season needs to be increased to closer to 50% - and possibly higher while Cisse is suspended - for the Magpies to really begin to challenge for a top-half finish in the Premier League this campaign.