There is news in the Daily Telegraph this morning that Newcastle may be willing to sell Oba Martins, if the right offer comes in. But Big Sam moved quickly today to say that story is just not true.
Oba Martins – his somersault a joy to watch – especially because he’s just scored 😀
There is more talk this morning that Big Sam would be willing to let Emre leave the club, and now the Daily Telegraph is even saying that’s the same for Oba Martins if Sam could get the right offer for the player.
Big Sam talked to the Evening Chronicle today about Martins and the interest from other clubs:
“We have had no contact with Villa or City about Obafemi Martins, but I can tell them, and anybody else for that matter, he is not for sale.“
“In any case, I don’t know how anybody can be expecting to sign Martins when he is away in the African Cup of Nations until the start of next month.â€
We’re not completely sure that Sam is a great admirer of the Nigerian striker, but we can hardly rely on Michael Owen to be fit to play regularly in that position. Martins is a developing player and still has lots to learn. And while he hasn’t been playing particularly well recently either, we think he can still do a good job for Newcastle, and he’s going to be worth a lot more in the future, once he has developed more as a player.
It’s being reported that Sven Eriksson is interested in taking Oba to Manchester City, at the right price.
Martins is currently away on African Nations Cup duty and will most likely be away for at least a month and he has reportedly become a little frustrated at having to play wide out on the right in Sam’s 4-3-3 formation. That formation never seems to work, as far as we can tell. We really hope Sam would start playing to our strengths, which right now is our wingers, N’Zogbia, Duff and Milner. We need to play 4-4-2 to get the best out of these lads.
As well as Manchester City and Aston Villa, Portsmouth have also expressed an interest in the former Inter Milan forward. Just for the record, there is no longer any £13M release clause in Oba’s contract, we can assure you of that, whatever the gossip papers say.
A source close to Martins said:
“There is a lot of interest on Oba and he is not sure where he stands at Newcastle.”
But this situation has had the damper put on it this morning by Big Sam, we’re very happy to say that. We haven’t yet seen the best of Oba, but when he does catch fire, he’s such an exciting player to watch and can be a match-winner for us. Oh, and he’s also a great lad and loves playing for Newcastle and living in the City. That can’t be bad – another intelligent player at the club. 😀
That’s what we think about this. What do you think?
Comments very welcome.
47 comments so far
iain
Jan 9, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Comment #1oh right like ill believe that one sam.
if sam carry ons playing oba the way he is he wont have to think about selling oba as he will put a transfer request in.
and if those clubs havnt contacted us then ist his agent making noises, meaning he alread wants a move.
tbh is sam doesnt rate him, oba isnt happy, oba away fro a month imo its in the clubs interests to sell him as soon as possible for this supposd 13m fee.
if hes played his last game already so be it. but i cant face another 6 months of sam/oba bullshitting each about wanting to play for nufc.
keeganpleasecomeback
Jan 9, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Comment #2maybe you should stop playing him on the wing then you fat stupid mackem!!!!!!!
James
Jan 9, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Comment #3He has great pace, a good left foot, and a good right foot, and jumps really well. But he has no football brain whatsoever. His positional play is a joke during games. As for the amount of chances he misses it has cost us dear this season.
I lost count of the chances he missed against Arsenal in the Carling Cup – and we were punished for it.
Again missed stacks of chances against Blackburn – and we were punished for it.
You don’t get many chances in the Premiership, and when you do you have to take them. We simply cannot afford to have Martins as the main number 9. As a fourth striker to run at defenders in the last 20 minutes by all means. But I would hope Shearer’s number 9 shirt would go to a striker who is clinical in front of goal – Huntaleer for example.
Tom_Toon
Jan 9, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Comment #4Huntelaar isnt ever going to come, and he porbably wont hack it in a tougher league, hence why he hasnt gone sooner.
Pete
Jan 9, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Comment #5Why on earth would Huntelaar move to Newcastle?:) There are most likely numerous top european clubs interested in his services, and to be fair we’re not a top side at the moment. Uncertain future, no european competition, no chance of winning anything, manager who’s lost the plot etc etc etc
Any top player in his right mind wouldn’t make that move at this moment in time.
James
Jan 9, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Comment #6Guys I mention Huntaleer as an example of the type of finisher we should be looking for. I know full well it would be very hard to get him to come. But my main point is Martins is not the right man. Are we at least in agreement on that?
Tom_Toon
Jan 9, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Comment #7No, sam is the one that isnt the right man, martins could be the right man, with the right man in charge.
Bill F
Jan 9, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Comment #8I agree with James analysis. We might not be able to get Huntelaar but there are loads of strikers out there that could score from the chances he has had. Blimey I reckon that thing that Stoke bought on would score more.
Time to give Carroll a run in the team?
Tom_Toon
Jan 9, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Comment #9Any pro could score a goal or so a game in the dutch league, its that poor.
thelongshanks
Jan 9, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Comment #10I think martins has the potential to be worldclass ,he has pace,skill,he uses both feet,power and some shot on him.he is still 22 and is nowhere near his potential.He needs to work on his touch,passing and overall awareness but with experience that will come.huntelaar would be great but out of our league.if we were to get another striker i like to see ashton come in.
Nomis_jade
Jan 9, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Comment #11I reckon we should keep oba. I is short of a bit of confidence at the mo, but he will come good. Although i reckon he would be at his best with a few more through balls and balls to feet on the edge of the area. One reason he isnt doing as well is that he are using long ball. Im not surprised city want him. The way they are playing football at the mo (more creative and passing with elano in the middle) oba would be perfect for them. We must not let him go!
steve
Jan 9, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Comment #12Carroll couldn’t even score for Preston against championship clubs and people saying he should be given a chance ahead of Martins simply don’t know what they are talking about. Carroll is a fair prospect but thats it, Martins is still our top goalscorer so if he’s so bad what does that make Viduka and Owen!
The obvious problem as stated by the majority of posters on this blog is that our midfield is one of the weakest in the prem and Butt, Geremi, Barton and Smith offer nothing as a creative outlet, we can hardly keep expecting Owen, Martins etc to come back into midfield take the ball off Butt and co then go on a mazy run and score.
I doubt any world class striker will be able to score consistently with balls just lumped up and no support from midfield.
Kuyt was top scorer in Dutch league and he’s pretty much useless as a goalscorer in prem despite playing in an attacking creative team
Until Sam sorts this out we’re basically f*ck3d
Graeme
Jan 9, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Comment #13Martins just needs a target man to play off, just like Owen does. Neither is a CF, dont pretend to be either. Both too short for the long ball game, rather they rely on pace to get them to the through ball.
Unfortunately, with BSA playing him out on the wing, he hasnt a chance. Bring in Crouch, if you must have a target and let him play in Owens and Martins from the front.
ELFER
Jan 9, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Comment #14one word: rubbish! nothing more to say. OBA perfectly fixes into our strategy to build up a younger team, he’s also our top goalscorer…I can not even understand you speaking about this seriously??? OBA will NEVER leave us. that’s all folks.
James
Jan 9, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Comment #15I agree that right wing is a waste for him, but when he is asked to play there he constantly comes inside and refuses to get back into position. Then someone has to go across to cover him, and consequently they are out of position.
john
Jan 9, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Comment #16steve, andy caroll scored 1 goal for preston and he hardly ever played for them
scott9
Jan 9, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Comment #17your on about strikers who can put the ball in the back of the net dave kitson is an exellent finisher give him a chance and the majority of the time he puts it in the back of the net
john
Jan 9, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Comment #18martins misses to many chances to be a prolific goalscorer. 13 mil for martins would be great business. defoe has scored 8 goals already and only started 7 games compared to martins 16 starts 7 goals
James
Jan 9, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Comment #19Let’s look at Martins situation with that of Smith. Smith does not claim to be a midfielder and wants to play as a striker. But when (fooloishly) asked to play in midfield by Sam he stays in position instead of wandering up front and forcing someone to cover him.
When Martins is asked to play in a position he doesn’t want to, he refuses to get back into position. That’s why Sam always takes him off for Owen.
Yes in an ideal world all the players would be in positions they want to be in. But when it isn’t the case they must stay in those positions for the sake of the team. Martins never does.
valle
Jan 9, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Comment #20Too bad, we should have sold him… Ed on what do u base that he is intelligent?, as far as i see it he is all but in matches, he cant read games and dosnt have any football intelligence whatsoever
Leo
Jan 9, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Comment #21hes just trying to boost the price…
Tom_Toon
Jan 9, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Comment #22Rather ge rid of the FAT FK than Oba.
Dont even compare Smith to Oba, smith stays in position and doesnt move, anyone who comes within a radius of the length of his legs he will dive in at them, when playing Smith in midfield we may aswell just have 10 players on the pitch.
Rich
Jan 9, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Comment #23John Obi Mikel was playing for Chelski last night, Jan 8th. Hes Nigerian, why wasnt Oba allowed to play for us last sunday on the 6th??
Ben
Jan 9, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Comment #24i think smiths stick he gets off part time toon fans is down to his manu utd background withouot doubt.Fair enough hes not technically gifted but he gives u 100% every game, sir alex never buys crap players,look at anderson everyone at the start of the season was saying what a crap buy,now look at him given his chance and support by team and FANS alike, to be booed like smith does is a disgrace!
Ben
Jan 9, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Comment #25oba couldnt play for us becaus ethey were away on a training camp in malaga,they are back now and therefore mikel could play last nite as they got back monday
Obafan
Jan 9, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Comment #26Like I said, SA his tactics are the results that the better players are going to move away from Newcastle;
1. Emre; never had a fair chance under fatty anbd if I was him I also would leave the club.
2. Martins; played more on the wing than in the center. Gets lots of negative comments ATM, but how many descent passes did he have this year. Perhaps his technical ability is not that good; when he has the confidence he will always put the balls in to the net.
Which other good player will follow?? Zog, …?
SA you are the guy that should be transfered and replaced!!!
Graham
Jan 9, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Comment #27With a bit of luck, Martins and Nigeria will have a good competition and he’ll come back with some confidence back in him after having it knocked out of him by Allardyce over the past few months.
Play him in his rightfull position for gods sake Allardyce!!!
Lets look at the facts – last season he scored 17 goals in a poor team by playing in his proper position. Unfotunately this year, he’s playing out of position in an even worse team – how the hell do you expect him to have the confidence to put most of his chances away?
thelongshanks
Jan 9, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Comment #28Owen and oba you play balls to his feet
smith when up front you play balls to his feet
and what are sams tactics,LONG BALL!
This is why owen a prolific scorer has not scored goals and martins 17 goals last season is not producing them this season.
So lay off Oba,and about low confidence if owen is fit it means oba on the bench even when he is on form,thats what is wrong with the mans head.
Jon
Jan 9, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Comment #29I know that Oba misses chances.
But how can it be he gets so many chances?
Often it seems Oba is the only one creating chances for our team.
For every 5 chances Oba has Owen has one.
It shows the work rate of those two players.
And Oba is still our leading goal scorer 🙂
I just love Oba 😀
ToonJon
Jan 9, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Comment #30Off the topic but just read that Tamas Kadar was watching form the stands last night.
http://www.newcastle.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=95865
Jon
Jan 9, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Comment #31I hate long balls tactics and therefore I want Big Fat Sam sacked!!!
James
Jan 9, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Comment #32Jon – relax, he’ll be gone in the summer
thelongshanks
Jan 9, 2008 at 4:19 PM
Comment #33It would be nice to have that in writing.He is a good manager but this job is way over his head.At bolton 8th or 9th was a good season.At the toon we expect european football!
James
Jan 9, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Comment #34Dear Fans Of Newcastle
I promise to sack Sam in the summer and get in a manager who likes to attack teams in the style we are accustomed to. You have my word on that.
Chris Mort
steve
Jan 9, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Comment #35@john – defoe would be unlikley to score in the current Newcastle team no matter how many games he starts, comparing Spurs style of football to Newcastles this season makes me want to weep.
Smith is just plain useless, and to say Fergusons never made a bad purchase is a joke. For every Rooney, Ronaldo etc there has been an Eric Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson, Diego Forlan, Veron or Alan Smith the list could go on and on
Ben
Jan 9, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Comment #36wow kleberson…poor-because poor players get into the brazil team……forlan……leading scorer in la ligue constantly…veron……played for italian giants all of his career….the only plausable one is djemba djemba but that was down to bad timing of players coming through around him!
carl
Jan 9, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Comment #37martins will come good, its just a confidence thing, and with the right team he would score 20+ a season.glad sam wants to keep him
steve
Jan 9, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Comment #38@ben – you forgot to mention Veron – the fact is that they were sh!te in the english premier league, which in case you’ve forgotten is where Newcastle play.
If you lot love Fergie so much why dont you get down to old trafford with the rest of the prawn sandwich brigade
Ben
Jan 9, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Comment #39steve mate, i was merely giving thir background,fair enough insome peoples eyes smith isnt very good, but hes our replacement to butt,those two shouldnt play together as they cancel each other out too often….with someone like arsharvin next to smith then we could see see our midfield gel alot better?just opinions!As for the whole they were poor in the premier league,true maybe, but only because of timing, i mean we tried to snap up kleberson from man utd and before they even signed him!forlan,we were touted with an interest in him last year too or maybe year before we got martins!
Tom_Toon
Jan 9, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Comment #40Smith should never play in midfield, Butt and an attacking player all the way.
If sam doesnt like Emre because of his physical attributes (which arent too good for the prem) and bayern want him, doa swap deal, emre for schlaudraff.