3. Cabaye Is Crucial
Most members of the press are putting Newcastles recent turn around in form down to the new signings, and as crucial as the arrivals of Debuchy, Gouffran, Sissoko etc. have been, one huge change that has fallen under the radar is the return of Yohan Cabaye from injury. His return almost exactly coincided with the recent upturn in form, the away victory against Aston Villa just his second start after the return. The game against Stoke on Sunday just continued to highlight how huge Cabaye is to Newcastles cause. Cabaye has played fantastically well of late, contributing 4 goals in his last 6 appearances but this only begins to scratch the surface of how important he is. Cabaye dictates games from the centre of the back, playing the passes and keeping the ball and allowing the likes of Sissoko and Gouffran to push on. Sunday he did this to huge effect, he sat back and spread the ball about allowing other players to attack. With Stoke being very difficult to break down, Cabaye was more crucial than ever, his patient passing game allowing the space to open up for the other players. As well as this he once more showed his fantastic ability to hit a ball, this time from a set piece, for a goal which fell beautifully in to the net. If Sunday made one thing apparent it is how important Cabaye is to Newcastle United, his performances in midfield are the focal point to the rest of their play. Newcastle could have one hell of a job keeping hold of him in the Summer.