4. Demba Ba
One of the steals of the century. French born Senegalese player Demba Ba has made his mark in English football by showcasing a portfolio of skills to leave the Geordies jubilant, critics speechless and their rivals flabbergasted. Having failed a medical at Stoke prior to his signature to West Ham, Demba Ba was seen as no more than just another unheard of player coming to England, who would probably survive a season or two then be shipped off to a second tier Greek outfit. How wrong they were. Ba made an immediate impact at Upton Park, scoring seven times in just twelve appearances, and that form was enough for Pardew to gamble and sign Demba on a three year deal. The rewards of the gamble paid off almost immediately, as he managed to his a goal ratio up to a standard of a goal every other game. Sixteen in his first thirty-four for the black and whites saw Demba Ba quickly become a fans' favorite. That form doesn't look to be slowing, as he's already helped himself to eleven goals this season. Whether he remains at Tyneside in the immediate future is yet to be confirmed with suitors reportedly weighing up the option to trigger his buy-out clause.