The Senegal international's poor start to the season continued in front of the club's own supporters against Norwich.
After failing to score in his first five matches of the season, Cisse fluffed a few decent chances against Norwich City as well as completely missing the target from the penalty spot when his team-mates tried to boost his confidence.
His penalty miss, having been given the spot-kick instead of Hatem Ben Arfa in the hope it could kick-start his season, left his self-belief at a new low and he looked dejected when he was replaced in the second half.
These days we don't see the striker partnerships we used to, because it's normally one striker and someone "playing behind" or "out wide".
And that has been the problem with Demba Ba this season, with him being far from happy with his position on the left.
Alan Pardew: "I have not picked the side yet, but we will help Papiss (in his efforts to get a goal). That is what we are about.
"Myself and my team have got the best out of most of my players here, particularly Papiss last season.
"That was easy for us. He was scoring goals and you could almost let him run free. Now he needs help and that's where we hopefully come into line.
"He is still getting into positions and, for sure, you worry more if he wasn't.
"For him, he had three good chances and in training, they are flying in like they always have but in the game situations, sometimes you just need a bit of luck and that is where he is at.
"I haven't come across a situation like this too often. Certainly not as stark as this.
"I remember Bobby Zamora used to go on goal runs. Marlon Harewood was playing for me at West Ham then and he used to go quiet.
"It's kind of one gets the glory and the other feels poor about it, I guess. That might be one side of it but if they both hit on the same day, we'll be laughing. Hopefully soon."