Good news today as our popular Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins has rejoined the squad for the Mallorca Summer Cup following the death of his mother.
Oba Martins - has now rejoined Newcastle squad in Spain
That’s really good news, and we are waiting for his first appearance back at St. James’ Park.
At that time the Geordie faithful will no doubt let Oba know how much we love him and how sorry we are about the sudden death of his mother, Alhaja, who was only 62.
That’s the really good news for Newcastle fans today as it looks like most of our players, other then Mark Viduka, will now be fit for the start of the season.
Newcastle captain Owen is recovering from a slight calf trouble, and of course Joey Barton is now back on Tyneside, trying to get himself fit for the new season.
We expect the club have put him on a special fitness program, to ensure he is fit within a couple of weeks or so.
Senegal defender Faye has been given extra time off after a summer of international duty with Senegal.
Kevin is also confident that young 19 year-old 6′3″ striker Andy Carroll, who is currently in plaster, after a freak holiday accident, will also be fit.
However, if he’s still in plaster, he’ll have to do strengthening exercises on his ankle, and that usually takes some time.
Keegan added:
“Andy is touch and go because, again, he has missed a lot, but everybody else has a chance.â€
Dare we say that things are starting to pick up for our existing squad at the club now?
All we need now is to bring in Argentine Fabricio Coloccini and Swiss midfield star Gokhan Inler - let’s say before Saturday, and you can bet that things will again be buzzing on Tyneside.
Wishing and Hoping.
Comments very welcome.
44 responses so far ↓
1 Isaac Hunt // Jul 31, 2008 at 13:33
Good news
2 Scotty nine // Jul 31, 2008 at 13:35
At Least we’ll have one striker at this tournament well done Oba.
3 ObaFan2 // Jul 31, 2008 at 13:36
Oba the Geordie, go on my son
4 broon ale // Jul 31, 2008 at 13:38
oba already knows how much we love him, we sing his song more than any one else’s. he is one of my neigbours and he always has time for people who stop and talk to him.
he is a legend and still very young. people forget that.
i know he will get a tremedous reception!!
5 DC Magpie // Jul 31, 2008 at 13:39
Oba! I hope he starts more games this year than last, 20 goals this season!
…and the top he is wearing in this pic might be the best shirt eva!
6 Ericles // Jul 31, 2008 at 13:40
Glad Oba is back. Once again the transfer situation is quiet. Do people really think anything will happen whilst the team is in Mallorca? The truth is the so-called recruitment team have failed miserably and meanly on the transfer front. A bad mistake to rely on the activities of a bunch of suits when KK should have been bank-rolled with a reasonable sum to rebuild the team. What have we got? Smith still here, Viduka back on the treatment table, and God knows what else to happen. Back KK with money not just empty words I say.
7 9 Shearer // Jul 31, 2008 at 13:45
Jst 2 new signings. I agree with Ed. Faye has over rested. He should come back to training Lazy lad. I go for Collocini and Warnock. I know Barton will do a good job at AM.
…………………….Given………………………….
Beye……Collocini………Faye……Warnock
Milner…..Butt………Barton……..Gutierezz
…………….Owen(c)……..Martins……………
Team to break into the big four.
8 WesToon // Jul 31, 2008 at 13:46
Welcome Back Oba..Get in there my son
9 Tom // Jul 31, 2008 at 13:48
Thats fantastic commitment to the club on Oba’s behalf, he really is dedicated to United. Hopefully playing football will help distract him from the tragedy that happened : )
10 Nobby's Dad // Jul 31, 2008 at 13:49
Ericles….Smith still here. Lets face it I’m 100% sure the club would sell if they reeceived a reasonably offer but which club is going to cough up £4 - 5 million and reported wages of £50 a week for a striker who doesn’t score? Enter Sunderland AFC??
11 WesToon // Jul 31, 2008 at 13:55
Break into the top four???
HAHAHAHAH
9 Shearer - im an optimist…but you DEFF are bonkers mate…(just kidding) Honestly we dont have a snowballs chance in hell of breaking that Monopoly(This season atleast)
12 MattyDread // Jul 31, 2008 at 13:57
9 Shearer - I don’t agree. We need a striker too.
13 HalftimeBovril // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:03
What happened to that young swiss striker we were linked to, or has he moved to Fenerbache?
14 gorskino10 // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:08
the only good news I’ve heard in weeks.
15 benny // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:10
about time.
16 Davies // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:15
Shame for Oba, but I’m glad he’s back in the fold. I’m sure he’ll get all the support he needs from KK and the rest of the team. He seems like a good lad.
Wish we had more like him. Genuinely talented and completely dedicated.
17 shirts // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:16
Welcome back, Oba.
18 roy morten79 // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:17
we really need a top class striker and an attacking midfielder after we have signed Coloccini ..
19 Chris H // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:19
Welcome back Oba. Great to see you back. Lets hope he starts on Friday. At least it’ll keep either dumb or dumber (smith n shola) out the line-up.
20 Hungry // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:24
Let be serious here. Why would Ashley seriously need to splash massive amounts of coin when no matter who is playing for the toon, the Geordie faithful will still turn up and fill out the 52,000 seat stadium? The fans will still buy their shirts, they will still buy their scarves etc. Ashley is a businessman first and foremost. Provided Newcastle are in the Premier League it doesnt make a hell of a lot of difference to the “Londoner” if we finish 5th or 13th. Its sad for people like us who care, but unfortunately I think thats the way it is. Its all well and good for everyone to say get out the “cheque book”, but honestly, no matter how rich you were, you could always find something better to spend £50 million on. Especially when much of the coin is going to overrated players…. Barton, Smith & Co… Ashley is pulling things into line, and making the club face the real business world… and I dont blame him. Unfortunaltey I wish he wouldnt!!!
21 Frankieboy // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:33
A reflection of his true character and his loyalty and commitment to the club, a novelty these days.
Welcome back Oba.
22 toonarmy08 // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:41
oba is a geordie !!!
23 domtoon // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:44
Man, how much do I wanna be at Oba’s first game back!!! Someone give him a good old OBBAAA-OBBBAAAFEMM!! OBBAAAA-OBBAAAFEM!!! OBBBBAAA-OOOBBAFEM!! OBA-FEMI-MARTINS!!!! for me!!
The guy’s a legend.
24 NUFCFAN // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:45
Top four team, your having a laugh!
One of the worst defenses in the league consistently
No scoring midfielders, still. Spiderman only assist!
-also would rather spiderman on the right and duff on the left
And strikers are still pretty unproven for the toon still
Weak subs, must be so exciting to be a spurs fan at the moment.
Not slagging ashely off but he offered keegan 50 million in jan to save us. Is it really that nobody wants to join us? Is our pull that poor?
Think collincini and inler would be great additions. But its still average players abd none great. Very few would start for top four clubs
Love to see a solid defence for the first time ever.
Is this a fair reaction?
25 domtoon // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:45
Do you think it’d be okay for the fans to sing Alhaja, Alhaja-fem, Alhaja-fem, Alhaja, Alhaja-fem, Alhaja-femi-Martins, in memory of his mother?
Or would that be out of order? I don’t mean it to be at all so please don’t think that.
26 Aaron D // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:51
Oba is a quality player and has never said a bad word about the club, all those rumours about him leaving are only because of that release clause in his contract. He’s never injured(touch wood) and seems commited to the cause and also was born on exactly the same day as me.
I think Barton will have a good season as he knows he is in last chance saloon and has to prove his worth to the whole nation.
Really need Collocini as i dont think Taylor should be first choice. Maybe a striker or attacking mid.
Inler maybe
Whats happened with Gomis everyone wanted him a few months ago and now after a couple of poor games for france noone wants him.
27 HeronMag // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:51
Domtoon - the idea of making some sort of tribute to his mam is nice but i don’t think that’s the way forward
28 broon ale // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:51
NUFCFAN- surely you’re name should be SPURSFAN?
29 micepie // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:51
Great news about Martins! Someone posted a few days ago that he has an inkling we might sign Berbatov as a big surprise, but (aside from that I don’t think we will sign Berbatov) I rate Martins higher.
On the “we’ll get two more signings in†topic. many wanted a larger squad than last season (and more quality) but if we can get the two more signings in that KK predicts, then looking at it logically:
LEFT –
Emre (rarely fit)
Ramage (useful back-up)
Troisi (not part of 1st team set-up)
Carr (rarely fit and suspect)
Diatta (not part of 1st team set-up)
IN –
Guthrie (should be involved, young/enthusiastic)
Gutierrez (should be part of 1st team most of next season)
Bassong (useful back up, potentially better than Ramage)
?
?
The two new ones should also be important ones so in many ways we’ll have lost just one player (Ramage) whilst gaining 5 so it’s not so bad. We’re clearly choosing evolution over revolution (e.g – Spurs this summer, Man City last year) even if it’s out of necessity, so we’ll see how it works and we have to be patient. It feels more satisfying in many ways though, not chopping and changing so much, keeping most of the squad together and also building up the youth ranks. Even if it appears far less exciting for a lot of us!
If the mood is gloomy in the North East, as someone pointed out that may not be a bad thing. Some fans of second tier Prem sides are going to have massive hopes for next year and the clubs will be under quite a lot of pressure.
30 Aaron D // Jul 31, 2008 at 14:54
also lost Rozehnal
31 Big Ricks Black Nd White Army // Jul 31, 2008 at 15:14
oba is a legend, we love him we sing about him all the time please stay oba, dont go to crappy arsenals and be a geordie legend!!! not like he already is like
32 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 31, 2008 at 15:14
MICEPIE - you also left out another four smith, ameobi, duff, viduka they might as well not be hear! not mentioning Rozehnal!!
33 ACD // Jul 31, 2008 at 15:22
Thought he would be going as i saw him in tiger tiger on monday ! haha
Love him though….absolute legend ! Hope he plays regularly this year.
34 azim // Jul 31, 2008 at 15:31
Inter need 22players and 3 GK..and
I think we only need 20 players and 3 GK..because we are not in the CL ….the 20 players are:
3 GK- Given,Harper, Krul
8 Defenders- Beye, Bassong, Taylor, Enrique,Faye,Edgar,Cacapa, and COLLOCINI
8 Midfielders- Jonas,Milner,NZogbia,Duff,Butt, Guthrie,Barton, INLER OR A GOALSCORING AM and Geremi( 9 in fact)
4 Strikers- Owen,Martins,Viduka, BIG STRIKER…
I personally think Keegan is trying to keep Smith instead of a new BIG STRIKER
He will sell Ameobi for sure
35 Toon! // Jul 31, 2008 at 15:45
great news that oba is back hope he scores some goals for his mum. also faye was at training on tuesday as far as i know
36 Piers // Jul 31, 2008 at 15:54
Good for Oba….i hope he’s not suffering too much.
37 michael // Jul 31, 2008 at 15:57
OBA IS A LEGEND!
MOST RELIABLE PLAYER IN THE SQAUD
HOPE HE SCORE SOME CRACKING GOALS WHEN THE NEW SEASON STARTS.
38 marc // Jul 31, 2008 at 16:20
i think nufc may well pay 9.8 mil to deportivo and try to negotiate fee bout gokhan inler and it we got our two star player
39 Warwick Hunt // Jul 31, 2008 at 16:30
@ Issac Hunt.
Ya allreet wor Kid, good news indeed.
Seen owt of wor Mike the last few days?
40 ehssi // Jul 31, 2008 at 17:14
Oba u are the NUFC STAR of pride.
we would not sign new players as long the players and the coaches is in mallorca
41 Graham // Jul 31, 2008 at 19:10
Oba has shown that, despite his own personal tragedy, how committed he is to NUFC. I wish we had a dozen more like him.
I can’t make it over to Majorca but I hope the fans give him one hell of a reception for his courage to come back so soon.
You’re a gentleman and a star Oba - this coming season could be the making of you.
This may be me getting caught up in this but does anyone see Oba as a future captain of NUFC (5 years time if he’s still here)? If Geremi can make captain then surely Oba can!
42 Graham // Jul 31, 2008 at 19:11
Majorca is only a plane ride away from Deportivo - could be an ideal time to take a short trip to visit their President???
43 robertsa // Jul 31, 2008 at 19:14
hope we can get the lanky lad behind martins on that top pic
44 Danish_Magpie // Jul 31, 2008 at 20:55
oba oba
OBA OBA!
Leave a Comment