Newcastle v Norwich preview: Success just matter of time says Cisse
Published 08:43 17/03/12 By Simon Bird
Papiss Cisse is urging the Toon Army to be patient as he adjusts to the Premier League.
Newcastle's £9million new No.9 has scored twice since arriving in the January transfer window, but was substituted with 20 minutes to go in the derby against Sunderland and then dropped for the trip to Arsenal.
Cisse is still learning both English and how boss Alan Pardew wants to fit him into the team.
The Senegal international is in line for a recall against Norwich on Sunday, because Pardew is looking to blood him in matches that Newcastle can dominate, rather than in all-out scraps like last Monday's heartbreaking loss at the Emirates.
Cisse said: “I wanted to show more than I did against Sunderland. The manager explained before the match [against Arsenal] he wanted to play with just one striker. I respect his choice.
“I already feel I understand the English game, the style of play. It’s hard joining mid-season, but interesting. You have time to get to know your team-mates for next season.
“I’m hoping I will play better when I am more settled. But I already feel happy here.”
On Cisse, Pardew said: “It’s difficult, because he can’t speak English. I can’t explain in great detail what I want - you’re doing it through interpreters and the message can get lost.
“The problem we’ve got at the moment is we’re not creating enough chances for him. We’re not getting him in a position to score, so there’s no point in him being on the pitch if we’re not able to dominate.
“He does have four other languages, so that won’t be a problem eventually.
"He got such a flying start smashing it into the top corner for a goal against Villa. But if he needs a rest I will take him out.”
Norwich will journey north looking to avoid an unwanted record.
If Newcastle score, it would mean 29 successive top-flight away games without a clean sheet for the Canaries – a new Premier League record.
Boss Paul Lambert shrugged: “It’s not really a concern. As long as we pick up points away from home, I don’t mind.
"We always go out looking to win and when you do that, you are going to concede – it’s the nature of the game.”
Norwich share the record with Coventry, who went 28 Premier League games without a clean sheet between February 2000 and May 2001.
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