Three Players That Need to Be Dropped from Newcastle United's First Team

Newcastle United have had an eventful start to their Premier League season.

The Magpies' haul of 10 points from seven games is not to be sniffed at but morale-killing defeats to Manchester City and Everton have left something of a cloud over some of Newcastle's better periods.

Arguably their biggest problem has been team selection, with manager Alan Pardew seemingly unable to settle on his strongest side. Many formations and personnel have been tried and binned off as Newcastle look for some consistency as the season settles down.

In the following slides, I take a look at some of the players that have been well below par for the Magpies this season and propose replacements that may find themselves thrust into the first team in the coming weeks.

3. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa

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Yanga-Mbiwa has struggled to establish himself in the Premier League.

We start with hardly the most surprising inclusion in this list.

Yanga-Mbiwa has been poor all season for Newcastle, struggling to establish a solid partnership with Fabricio Coloccini in central defence despite being given the chance in almost every game.

His performance against Everton—in which Newcastle were 3-0 down at half-time—rightfully seen him taken off at the break and replaced in the next game against Cardiff City by Mike Williamson.

Yanga-Mbiwa was an outstanding talent in France, where he captained Montpellier to a league title but has failed to adapt to the English game sufficiently. His lack of aerial ability has been exposed on numerous times and his poor anticipation has cost his side valuable goals.

Williamson seems to have now replaced Yanga-Mbiwa as Coloccini's defensive partner, and on current form it could be a while before the Frenchman gets back into the team.

2. Papiss Cisse

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Cisse is without a goal all season.

Next up on the list is misfiring striker Papiss Cisse.

The Senegal forward has failed to score a Premier League goal this season and has been outshined by new signing Loic Remy.

Remy has scored five goals in five appearances since joining on loan from QPR and has replaced Cisse as Newcastle's main goal threat.

Cisse continues to get into good positions and make some good runs, but struggles to stay onside and lacks composure when looking to break his duck.

The longer the former Freiburg striker goes without a goal, the more the media will heap pressure on him, making it harder for him to open his account.

In the meantime, Alan Pardew must go with his strongest striker in the centre-forward role and that is currently Loic Remy. Yoan Gouffran is also playing well, so Cisse must come up with something to remind his manager of what he can do.

1. Cheick Tiote

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Tiote hasn't reproduced his best form lately.

Topping this list is Newcastle's midfield hard man, Cheick Tiote.

The Ivorian burst onto the scene when he signed for Newcastle from FC Twente and endeared himself to fans with his tough-tackling, no-nonsense style of play.

However, last season he was way below par and this season he has been similarly frustrating. 

Tiote faces a fight for his place in midfield, particularly with Vurnon Anita, who has been excellent in the opening seven games of the season. 

Alan Pardew has still remained fairly loyal to his anchor man though, despite his lack of form and countless fouls. Tiote's passing has also been poor, an area where Anita has excelled.

The Newcastle manager will be hoping Tiote returns to top form soon enough, or he will be another big name warming the subs bench.