Alan Shearer: "It does concern me the number of French players that are arriving, because that can cause a clique.
"I've seen it happen before, players with the same nationality sticking together, and causing a split in the camp."
'Telegraph Sport': "Newcastle United’s dressing room is in danger of a damaging split over the behaviour of some players who are accused of undermining manager Alan Pardew as he attempts to save the club from relegation.
"The tension is believed to be down to the fact some individuals have been more interested in complaining about tactics and worrying about their own personal agendas rather than helping the club to survive in the Premier League.
"There is concern that the large French contingent on Tyneside do not care as much about the team’s demise and have failed to grasp what is needed to succeed in English football.
"It is yet another problem for an under-fire Pardew to deal with as he fights not just to keep Newcastle in the top flight but also to hold on to his job.
Pardew’s position is due to be reviewed in the summer after a miserable campaign plunged to a new low with a 6-0 home defeat by Liverpool last weekend.
"Newcastle are five points clear of the drop zone with three matches remaining, but Wigan have played a game less.
To have any chance of keeping his job, Pardew must start to put things right against West Ham this weekend and finish the campaign strongly with a united squad behind him, although even that may not be enough to save him beyond the end of the season."