Oba Martins scored again on Monday night, and it was another typical opportunist goal. Having just returned from the international break where he sharpened up his goalscoring with 2 good goals for Nigeria against Mexico, he did it again for Newcastle.
Of course, all we hear during the international breaks is about Michael Owen but Oba seems to have adapted well to the new atmosphere and he seems to love playing for Big Sam. What is it about Sam that makes all the players like him so much?
Oba Martins – seems to love playing for the big man
Whatever it is it’s a key element in Sam’s success in football, because it seems like the players will do just about anything for him – and it’s great to hear from his players talking so highly of the big man. Oba told the Newcastle Journal today:
“It was a very good result for the team, another three points at home and a good goal for me as well, so I’m very happy with things,â€
“I feel settled in English football. Glenn Roeder was right, it wasn’t that easy for me to come to Newcastle and it took me a few months to learn new stuff about the Premier League, English football and living in Newcastle.†“I had to adapt to the style of football and it took me some time, but I’m very happy here. Things are going well.”
“I didn’t really feel as though I had to prove myself to a new manager when Sam Allardyce came, I just knew I had to work hard and he would see what I could do. I’m happy and settled at Newcastle, I never took any notice of the stories saying I’d leave in the summer and, if Sam Allardyce is here for five years, I will be here for five years also.â€
“That is how much I enjoy playing for him. I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere while Sam is here. I’m scoring goals and I’m playing games, that’s all you can ask for as a striker.â€
We’ve independently looked at Martins games and goals record at Newcastle. Last season he appeared in 46 games and scored 17 goals. So far this season he has appeared in 11 games and scored 5 goals so in total we make it that he’s played in 57 games for Newcastle and scored 22 goals. And we have to remember the lad is still just 22 years old – and the best from him is still to come.
“My goal return is 22 goals in 50 games which is almost a goal every other game.†“I don’t set myself targets of say 20 or 30 or even 40 goals in a season, I just try hard to score as many goals as I can.â€
“They say a good mark of a world class striker is a record of a goal every other game and I’m quite close to that at Newcastle. That is something I’m happy about, I just concentrate on trying to keep scoring a goal every other game because that will keep me in the team.â€
Of course when Martins came to Newcastle he was quite happy to take the number 9 shirt vacated by the great Alan Shearer but Oba doesn’t seem to be phased at all by this. Martins continued:
“My record has been like that through most of my career, but there is no way I can compare myself to Alan Shearer. he was a great, great player. When I wear the number nine shirt I’m just trying my best to do as well as he did, but he played something like 500 games. I’d like to try and do that.â€
“People have said two small strikers cannot play together but I think ‘of course we can’. We are both good players and that’s the most important thing. It’s the same with Mark Viduka or Shola Ameobi, I think I can play with all of them.â€
Glenn Roeder to his credit brought in a great little striker for Newcastle and Oba seems to love it here at Newcastle. He’s already on track for say 20 goals this season which would be a good tally to add to his creditable 17 in his first season. But Martins is his own player and it’s really hard to compare him to anybody. He’s forging his own way and seems to be doing so well for Big Sam.
But that’s why Sam is so good – he’s a real coach and gets the very best out of every player under him. Long may it continue.
Comments welcome.
9 comments so far
michael
Oct 24, 2007 at 9:55 AM
Comment #1Roeder was obviously below par when it came to making enough signings especially in defence. But the players he brought in were real value for money – Martins, Sibierski, Duff (although he’s yet to prove it yet). Rossi is the exception that proves the rule.
It’s quite unfortunate for the man that he isn’t in football anymore. He was really outstanding as the academy boss.
Chris
Oct 24, 2007 at 10:04 AM
Comment #2Superb to hear… He is a f&*^king lad!! Can’t imagine how good he will be in a few years. No one like him in the prem…
Brisbane Mag
Oct 24, 2007 at 10:05 AM
Comment #3Martins needs to score the easy chances as well as the difficult chances if he’s to be considered a great goal scorer……
Newcastle have a number of good forwards (Martins, Owen and Viduka) but back up required for Viduka. Ameobi is not the answer and young Carroll needs to learn his trade!
valle
Oct 24, 2007 at 10:09 AM
Comment #4I still dont like that part “That is how much I enjoy playing for him. I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere while Sam is here”… What if Sam gets an offer to manage England, he might wanna take it… Then we’re not good enough?… Are we seen as a stepping stone?
Anyway im not saying i dont like Oba, i really do. He is young and good to have in team since Owen has an injury record. But he is wearing the clubs precius number nine and that is so much more than just the manager.
yemozone
Oct 24, 2007 at 10:26 AM
Comment #5If he plays regularly,he’s goin to score many goals for newcastle.And also i want BSA to be picking the team according to current form .b’cos u cannot drop someone like martins who has found is goal scoring form for another striker,,,it will just make the team unstable.
what i suggest against reading is that he shld start martins & owen upfront,then smith on the bench.I’m sure that the reading defence won’t be able to stand the power,pace and skill of martins with the experience & technical ability of owen.
Howay lads!!!!
indian toon
Oct 24, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Comment #6really glen had an eye for good players.. i think he did some pretty good work even though the defence let him down. hope he gets to manage some good club in the future.. he’s really good as a manager.
leo
Oct 24, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Comment #7we really do have to give credit for finding this gem of a player. i was really impressed last season when i saw martins, and with the press he gets, its even better, and hes improving.
‘magnific’
Alex Brett
Oct 24, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Comment #8Can you blame him, Big Sam is gonna be a legend who wouldnt wanna play for him??
I’m loving being a Toon fan right now we were written off b4 Sam came in! now look at us, new owner new manager new players new Newcastle Utd, really looking forward to the future!! we just need to bring the noise back to St James’
hadrian
Oct 24, 2007 at 3:34 PM
Comment #9roeder took what signings he could get , and thought motivating a team involved blaming defeats on them .
lets not heap praise on a guy who doesnt deserve it , hate to imagine what position we would be in if roeder was still around , what players would have left and who he would have bought , i dont wanna think about it ! .