Newcastle fans must be pleased as punch with their start to the season. Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote look mighty impressive running the midfield, but best of all their forwards are showing up on the score-sheet on a regular basis.
It’s fair to say that Newcastle lacked a real goal threat following the sale of Andy Carroll half way through last season and that this was something that manager Alan Pardew worked hard to remedy over the summer. It seems that he was successful in his mission.
Particularly vital to Newcastle’s good start has been the strike partnership that formed between Demba Ba and Leon Best. Pardew sung the praises of the pair following Newcastle’s 3-1 demolition of Blackburn:
“The two strikers today were terrific and I think that is the best that Best has played for me and he could have had two or three himself. They’re a nice pair and they balance each other off… In a club of this size, and the expectation that we have at this football club on our strikers in particular, it is very difficult for them. So to have two that are not huge names, they’re not Alan Shearer or Les Ferdinand, but my goodness they played as well as anyone has played here as a pair today.”
So far this season, Pardew has been absolutely spot on. Both Best and Ba have played out of their skins and look to be real assets for the club. In fact, only Rooney, Dzeko and Aguero have scored more. What’s most impressive is their work rate. Both players work so hard for their team and over the course of a match can make things happen.
It’s surprising that this pair didn’t put Blackburn to the sword a little more. Newcastle were in complete control of the game and had Best’s finishing been a little more clinical, could have really ran away with it.
If Newcastle are to continue in this rich vein of form for much longer, they’ll need both Best and Ba to remain at the top of their respective games. Shola Ameobi and Peter Lovenkrands just don’t seem to have what it takes to drive the club forward.
Given his quick start, I can’t help but wonder if Ba will be right up their contending for the Golden Boot come the season’s close. One thing is for sure: the importance of both players to the club at this stage is undeniable and Pardew is right to talk up their value.
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