Newcastle United midfielder Jonas Gutierrez has admitted that the club's key players have found it more difficult in their second season of English football.

Strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse were instrumental in guiding the Magpies to Europa League qualification last season, but Gutierrez has revealed that he has noticed a difference in how clubs are attempting to deal with Newcastle's key men.

Gutierrez told BBC Newcastle: "Teams know us more than they did last year. They know the way we play.

"For players that come in it's always difficult in the second season."

Newcastle are currently in 10th place in the Premier League table.