Newcastle United: 8 Lessons from Newcastle's Controversial Draw with Sunderland

Now that the dust has settled on what for many Newcastle fans would have been the most important fixture of the year, with both teams forced to settle for a single point and a colorful aftermath, it is time to sit down and assess the fallout with a clearer head.

On the strength of the 90 minutes, the result was probably fair, with Sunderland arguably enjoying greater benefits from their game plan in the first half, and the home side most certainly in the ascendancy for the majority of the second.

Regardless of how you feel about the issues of "class" and provocation that have subsequently been cited, the game against Sunderland offered a lot of food for thought, and some issues that must be addressed if Newcastle are to cement their top-six position and really challenge for Europe.

So, without further ado, here are 8 takeaways from Sunday's fiery derby day draw.

The Long Ball Does Not Suit Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse

In the twin Senegalese strikers, Newcastle have a formidable and enviable strikeforce.

However, the frustrating tendency to play long balls from deep towards them in the vain hope that either will hold the ball up for the other to run on to proved predictably fruitless in the first half.

Cisse is one of the most mobile strikers to have pulled on the black and white shirt for some time, hungrily running along the back line in a manner reminiscent of Andy Cole's halcyon days at St. James Park, but he is not necessarily a ball winner.

Beside him, Demba Ba may have imposing size and strength in his armory, but he too is better with the ball played to his feet, or into the box from advanced wide positions.

They aren't Alan Shearer or Andy Carroll, happy to win the ball at the edge of the box to set up a second phase of attack.

And neither can rival Shola Ameobi in the ability to hold the ball up.

So to play with a game plan that requires that type of player is absolute folly.

With someone as accomplished with the ball at their feet as Yohan Cabaye, and wingers like Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa and even Gabriel Obertan in the squad, Newcastle have the ability to play to Cisse and Ba's strengths, and the ones they were bought for.

And the sooner Alan Pardew works on a tactical setup that prioritises one phase attacks with the ball played out wide and then into the box, or with an advanced midfielder releasing through balls to the strikers rather than long-balls, the sooner the two will gel and score as many goals as both are capable of.

Hatem Ben Arfa Must Play

The French marvel has the potential to be one of the most frustrating players any Newcastle fan has ever seen.

But like compatriots Laurent Robert and David Ginola, Ben Arfa also has the kind of ability that makes supporters gasp—and defenders crumble.

Just ask Kieran Richardson, who enjoyed a torrid time for the 40 or so minutes he directly faced the Frenchman. He was resoundingly bested in the one-on-one stakes to the extent that he was hauled off before the end of the game.

What Ben Arfa offers when he is on form is invaluable.

Unlike most modern wingers, he is capable of beating defenders for fun and he can see passes that just don't register with other players.

He also changes the way the team is set up, pulling the core of the team further up the pitch so that Cabaye and Tiote aren't shackled to the edge of their own box, and one or both can come into play as attacking forces.

He is the perfect choice to stop the team playing worthless long balls, and the prospect of seeing him given a sustained chance to play with both Demba Ba and Cisse is hugely exciting. 

And if he isn't playing well, Gabriel Obertan offers a pacey alternative from the bench that a defender plainly does not want to see coming off the bench between the 60th and 70th minute golden-substitution window. 

Sunderland Cannot Contain Shola Ameobi

The term "cult hero" is thrown about too easily.

Any player who appeared quirky, had an iconic look or whose attitude inspired equal amounts hatred and love would be bestowed with the title, but few can claim to be so specifically cult as Shola Ameobi.

Somewhat cruelly fated to be a figure of comedy and frustration among Newcastle fans, who see his languid style and occasionally lax attitude as largely infuriating—and his continued attachment to the club rather baffling—Shola has a string to his bow that will see his name go down in history well beyond his association with the club.

Because Shola scores against Sunderland.

After Sunday's exploits, the big Geordie has seven goals in 12 games against the Old Enemy, and his appearance on the field is enough to inspire dejection and defeatism in even the most ardently optimistic Mackem.

For some reason, the Sunderland games bring Shola out of his shell, local passion overriding comparatively limited talent with explosive effect.

There can be no doubt that Sunderland fear him.

Tim Krul Continues to Prove Himself as One of the Best Keepers in the League

It was only the briefest of moments in a game largely defined by inaction for the Dutch stopper, but Tim Krul's save from Nicklas Bendtner's excellent turn and shot in the first half was one of the crowning achievements in a season of highs for the young man between the sticks.

The save in itself was brilliant, a quick-fire long-reaching response to the Danish striker's effort, but the immediate context of it was what made it great.

Because other than picking the ball out of the net from the Sunderland penalty and helping/hindering the melee that burst forth after James McClean's over-zealous tackle on Danny Simpson, Krul had very little to do all game.

Focus is what makes good goalkeepers great, and can mean all the difference between confidence and poise, and a catastrophic drop in form that makes fools of even the most expensive of keepers.

David de Gea is a case in point.

The Newcastle Squad Requires Serious Strengthening

With absolutely no disrespect intended, Peter Lovenkrands is not the right calibre of player for a top-six Premiership team to be bringing on in the final 10 minutes of a game against their fiercest rivals.

The Dane played his part in the Championship season, and was valuable as a bit-part player last term.

However, the fact that he was the most reasonable option to bring on at that stage of the game says a lot about the lack of depth in the current squad.

Next season will be different, with the return of Steven Taylor and Sylvain Marveaux, not to mention the likely emergence of younger players like Shane Ferguson, Paul Dummett and the hugely exciting Remie Streete.

But potential European qualification changes the field of play again.

If Newcastle are to compete at a similar level as this season—or move on to the next level and take on four competitions—the squad requires at least four or five further additions to the current playing staff.

That's assuming most are retained by the end of the summer transfer window.

Ryan Taylor Is More Than Worth His New Contract

At the start of the season, Ryan Taylor could have been forgiven for expecting his chances to be limited this year.

However, some strong performances in his unfavoured left-back position—as well as some spectacular and important goals—have raised the Liverpudlian's stock no end.

What is often overlooked is Taylor's prowess as a passing player.

He might not produce spectacular long balls every time—or killer final balls—but only Leighton Baines has clocked up more successful passes from a defensive position this season.

For a team founded on the principle of ball retention, that is a massive stat.

In the second half, when Taylor was moved to left-back at the expense of Davide Santon (who did very little wrong it must be said), he was particularly instrumental in changing the fortunes of Jonas Gutierrez, through whom a good deal of the team's best play then came. 

Davide Santon Should Play Right-Back

The Italian who was brought into the club as a left-back is no slouch in that position, and I am firmly of the belief that a stronger foot shouldn't always discount a player from any position.

However, for the good of the team, Davide Santon should be moved immediately to right-back, at the expense of Danny Simpson.

The venomous criticism that Simpson garners among some Newcastle fan groups isn't always justified, but the former Manchester United man isn't a good enough defender to justify his place in the team if the club want to move forward.

Santon is a far more accomplished footballer, a stronger defender and definitely a finer attacking threat.

His presence behind Ben Arfa on the right would make for greater balance and a lot more confidence down that side.

On Sunday, while Santon didn't put too many feet wrong before his half-time substitution, his relationship with Jonas Gutierrez wasn't as successful as Newcastle fans might have expected.

The prospect of him linking up with Ben Arfa, who would undoubtedly bring his attacking skills out more than Gutierrez's style did, is one that shouldn't be ignored.

The North East Derby Remains the Best in England

All cliches aside, and despite assertions from certain cynical areas of the press and other supporters, the derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland remains the most consistently engaging and intriguing one in the country.

Few other games in the Premiership inspire the kind of atmosphere that threatened to tear the roof of St. James' Park on Sunday, and the column inches that continue to be devoted to the game five days later proves that the intrigue exists outside of the region.

Though the game also inspires venom and can reveal the uglier side of the sport, it is on occasions like this that we see the spirit of football still thriving.

Few of the ties end without spectacle—for better or worse—and for 90 minutes at least it is possible to put aside all cynicism and believe that the 22 highly-paid professionals on the pitch really care about the fans.