Team Focus: Hit for Six - Newcastle Back in the Mire

It's fair to say Newcastle fans would have been delighted to see Luis Suarez suspended for their game against Liverpool this weekend, but in his absence the Reds put in one of the best attacking displays all season. They were helped to do so in no small part by some abysmal defending from the home side, and in conceding six goals they're right back in the relegation mire. No side have conceded more Premier League goals than Newcastle (66), and goal difference is now a real issue.

Although the drubbing at the hands of Brendan Rodgers' side was a real blow, a 3-0 loss to bitter rivals Sunderland will still be in the minds of the players and supporters alike, and morale appears to be low in a camp inundated with French speaking players. Alan Pardew's job is no longer safe, having been named manager of the year after a terrific 2011/12 campaign, and Mike Ashley's decision to hand him an 8-year contract never looked logical. All in all there's reason for concern at St. James' Park.

Injuries to keeper Tim Krul, captain Fabricio Coloccini and mainstay left-back Davide Santon have rocked the side at the back, while Mathieu Debuchy will miss the next game through suspension. Though the aforementioned Argentine centre-back may be rushed back into action, the fitness of stand-in skipper Yohan Cabaye is a real concern, with Alan Pardew admitting that the player is not at 100%, either physically or mentally.

Much was made of Newcastle's influx of signings from across the channel, and while the majority looked impressive on paper, making an immediate impact, there is no question that such a swing in personnel can, and seemingly has disrupted the dynamic in the changing room. Liverpool's fourth, and Daniel Sturridge's second, goal of the game at the weekend was telling, with only local lad Steven Taylor looking to prevent the forward from scoring an easy tap in on Saturday. A look at the table below shows that the form of a number of the side's January recruits has dipped significantly of late.

It was at that point in the game, on the hour mark, that home fans started darting for the exits and it's hard to blame them having expected their side to show the spirit and fight required to put a devastating result against Sunderland aside.

With Moussa Sissoko starting the game on the right side the midfield lacked balance, with Gutierrez a more obvious wide man on the opposite flank, and it allowed Liverpool's young Brazilian Coutinho to steal the show on the Reds' left. Such tactical blunders have to lay with the manager, and though Newcastle saw plenty of the ball - only Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham have managed a higher percentage of possession against Liverpool this season (53%) - they lacked the drive from central areas that Sissoko has offered since his arrival from Toulouse.

The 23 year old completed just one dribble on Saturday, having averaged 2.5 per game in his previous 11 league appearances for the club, and he was dispossessed 5 times, which was more than any other player. Meanwhile, in a slightly more advanced role, Cabaye was dispossessed 3 times, failing to muster a single shot at goal, with Liverpool's Lucas Leiva dominating the midfield with 11 tackles.

While much of the squad have struggled with the rigours of playing twice a week due to Newcastle's progress in the Europa League, Cabaye seems to have been particularly affected. The midfielder’s average WhoScored rating has dipped to 6.99 in the 7 league games he’s played since February, having been up at 7.27 up until the beginning of March, and he’s clearly tiring.

The impending return of Coloccini from a back injury will be welcomed by the fans, but prior to this weekend's hammering the side had actually conceded fewer goals per game (1.67) without the Argentinian compared to games he'd started (1.84), so any comeback is unlikely to be the end of their problems.

The Toon Army travel to West Ham next, with no team outside the top 6 having taken all three points away from Upton Park, before what could be a do or die match against already relegated QPR. While that fixture may well be Newcastle's saving grace there is a lot of work that needs to be done over the summer to instil a feeling of unity about the club, but for now the side are likely to need three more points to ensure their Premier League status.

One thing’s for sure, they’ll be desperate to be safe ahead of a final day duel with Arsenal, in a game that could be crucial for both sides.