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

5. THEN: Jonas Gutierrez - NOW: Moussa Sissoko

Not exactly like for like, but Moussa Sissoko is probably going to be in the Magpies side ahead of Jonas Gutierrez at Loftus Road on Saturday - but it was the other way round back in 2012-13 because the Frenchman was out with an injury. The thing about Gutierrez is that he has always been a trier - industrious to the end, he will always give his all in a black-and-white shirt. End product is often an issue, and it certainly was during the 2012-13 campaign, but the Argentine put in a dogged and determined display against QPR and ensured the Magpies would not lose that match.

Sissoko though can be bustling, athletic and a nightmare for opposition defences when he picks up the ball up from deep and runs at them with purpose. However, such runs have been severely lacking in recent weeks and months - and Sissoko owes this Newcastle team more going forward. Aside from his goal during the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, Sissoko has, for the large part, looked disinterested during the second-half of this season. It appears he is pining for a move away - but his focus must be on keeping Newcastle in the Premier League. Verdict: A point for Sissoko, only just, 0-1. Simply because he can win a game for Newcastle singlehandedly if he really applies himself, although he does it far too irregularly.