• Premier League

Pardew backs struggling Cisse

ESPN staff
September 25, 2012
Papiss Cisse blazed his penality against Norwich over the bar © Getty Images
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Alan Pardew has said that misfiring striker Papiss Cisse will receive all the help he needs as he aims to end his barren spell in front of goal.

Cisse, 27, scored 13 goals in his first 14 games for Magpies, but has struggled to recapture that form this campaign, after failing to find the net in his first five games.

Speaking to the Journal, Pardew said: "I have not picked the side yet because I'm just taking in loads of information from Sunday's game. I will see all the stats and then make a decision on Tuesday.

"We will help Papiss [in his efforts to get a goal]. That is what we are about. Myself and my team have got the best out of most of my players here, particularly Papiss last season."

He went on to add: "That was easy for us. He was scoring goals and you could almost let him run free. Now he needs help and that's where we hopefully come into line."

With the Senegalese also missing from the penalty spot during Newcastle's 1-0 win over Norwich on Sunday, his manager admits the contrast in fortunes between Cisse and his compatriot Demba Ba is a unique situation, but one he has dealt with before.

"He is still getting into positions and for sure, you worry more if he wasn't," Pardew explained.

"For him, he had three good chances and in training, they are flying in like they always have but in the game situations, sometimes you just need a bit of luck and that is where he is at. I haven't come across a situation like this (with my two strikers) too often certainly not as stark as this.

"I remember Bobby Zamora used to go on goal runs when Marlon Harewood was playing for me, then he used to go quiet. It's kind of one gets the glory and the other feels poor about it, I guess. That might be one side of it but if they both hit on the same day, we'll be laughing. Hopefully soon."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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