Newcastle Beat QPR 2 Years Ago To Stay Up - But How Do They Rate Vs The Current Team?

3. THEN: Yoan Gouffran - NOW: Ayoze Perez

Can you remember when Yoan Gouffran used to actually score goals? It was a long time ago, and it will be lodged right at the back of your memory, but in the crucial run-in when Newcastle avoided relegation in 2012-13 Gouffran popped up with three important strikes - including the winner at Loftus Road (even if that was gifted to him by an abject QPR defence). Gouffran is likely to be on the bench on Saturday for this crucial relegation clash, but hopefully he will not be called upon because he simply does not have the (mild) goal threat he held two years ago.

Ayoze Perez though netted his second goal in as many home matches against West Bromwich Albion last week - and let's hope he continues his scoring form in west London. A far more skilful player than Gouffran - even in the Frenchman's "prime" - but Perez has not hit the back of the net quite as regularly as Newcastle have needed him to. Verdict: A point for each - 1-1. Perez is undoubtedly the better player, and the gap will become even greater as the Spaniard develops - but Gouffran did score a couple of important goals to prevent Newcastle being relegated in 2012-13. Let's hope Perez adds to strike last week.