Something that initially inspired now appears to have morphed into a crippling load for Papiss Cisse, the Newcastle United number 9 shirt. The shirt that adorns his torso on match…

David Airey examines the Papiss Cisse Newcastle United problem – is it the three As – Ability, Assistance and Attitude?

When Andy Carroll left that January with his huge price tag around his neck, my Dad told me not to worry because one day he’d be back, and a better player for it.

Maybe, maybe not, but one thing is for sure, until that shirt is properly filled, Newcastle fans will be starved of the ups that help soothe all these dark and gloomy downs.

‘It was my ambition to come and play in this league and dreamt to play in this league and I have been given a chance. The day they told me you are going to Newcastle…I was like a kid and HAPPY!’

We bring you what could well be Alan Shearer’s first ever televised professional goal…with a full head of hair!

Classic video action courtesy of The Mag’s YouTube channel.

Match day at last, just watch this Papiss Cissé video action, I think we’ve definitely found our latest number nine hero!

Classic video action courtesy of The Mag’s YouTube channel.

Alan Shearer welcomes the new number 9. “The most important thing is that Cissé actually wants to wear it (the number nine shirt), he wants that responsibility and that’s half the battle. There are expectations that come with it, but the biggest is a simple one – that you score goals”.

Premier League bargain of the season, Demba Ba, has been outstanding and Alan Pardew regrets not giving him the number 9 shirt.

There are plenty in our history who I wish they hadn’t given the number 9 shirt to!