As we all know, Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear is currently recovering from his triple heart bypass operation, and is not expected to return to work until early April, at the earliest.
Oba Martins – watch out – he just scored
But Oba Martins has come out today with some good words in The Sun, in which he says the players are always talking about Joe, and they admire Joe’s passion for Newcastle United.
Martins says that the p[layers at St James’ Park are all fully focused on having the side move away from the bottom of the table and that will certainly help Joe and his recovery.
Oba told The Sun today:
“The lads talk about Joe all the time and everyone is looking forward to his return,”
“We need to go all out, fight and grind out some good results for him. I am sure there is nothing he wants so badly than a perfect gift on his return from hospital.”
“He’s a good man and someone who is passionate about the club, so he deserves our best wishes.” “The lads have been fantastic and battling really hard while the rest of us recover from injury.”
“But I think having me, Mark Viduka and Alan Smith back is a big plus for the club as we fight to fix a season that has not gone quite as planned.”
Assistant manager Chris Hughton is currently looking after the -team at Newcastle and Oba is more than happy with how Chris is doing things in Joe’s absence.
Oba added:
“Chris has been doing a wonderful job. He knows what he wants and explains it to everyone on the pitch,”
Good and positive words from Oba, and the club is trying to extend his contract on Tyneside.
It would be good if we can tie up Oba for another few years on Tyneside, especially when Michael Owen is likely to take the exit door this summer.
Comments welcome.
10 comments so far
cooldj
Feb 26, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Comment #11st 🙂
beyethegreat
Feb 26, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Comment #2http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2009/02/26/kevin-keegan-lined-up-for-asprilla-testimonial-72703-23016433/2/
sounds a good match
Fresh
Feb 26, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Comment #3is it just me or does anyone else wish KK would come back and manage us again – we were starting to look like such an impressive outfit when he was at the helm. we seemed to always be improving.
Waldo P. Barnstormer
Feb 26, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Comment #4Fresh I dont think its just you but your number is dwindleing. When he first left I wanted he to come straight back but as the dust settled I realised I never wanted to see him at St James again.
club insider
Feb 26, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Comment #5On subject !!
I would love us to win with style and not grind out results but at this moment in time I will take anything. 🙂
Lets hope Oba finds the back of the net on Sunday !
club insider
Feb 26, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Comment #6Wlado P.
Agree mate KK had his time and it was great while it lasted. lets just leave it there
cyprus
Feb 26, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Comment #7KK was the greatest but life goes on. Does JK have it? No idea, yet. But we need to keep a manager for a few years. Oba mentions Smith’s return as a positive… I dread it, much like Shola. Smith last scored in 1991 (or thereabouts) and he can’t hang on to a ball… like Butt, who is a fighter too, and who has improved, admittedly, although he ain’t exactly world class.
SuperShearer
Feb 26, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Comment #8Great words today from some of the lads. It’s great to see Oba, Ryan Taylor and Butt all saying that they are willing to fight for the team. It seems like we are finally getting a unit of players together. For so long we were made up of mercenaries that were here for the pay cheaque and nothing else. A team that plays together should win together and it seems like there is a real team spirit forming at the club. Hopefully it will see us fight off relegation.
TORONTOON
Feb 26, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Comment #9play smith in midfield, and keep him there. i don’t expect him to score, but he won’t be bullied in midfield. dukes and martins upfront; how have they done together in the past? i can’t really remember when dukes and martins play together.
Whumpie
Feb 26, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Comment #10Torontoon – I totally agree; those two should be a good combination of speed and guile. I don’t remember them linking up all that well, but they’re still pretty good individually when you need to get goals out of nothing.
With Smith in behind we can expect the odd push forward from the middle too, and he’s a great battler to track back and defend when needed.
Butt needs to start, but his legs may give in like they did on Sunday; I only hope by then we’re safe and can afford to put on a youngun like Lua Lua.
Wingers – I’d go with Jonas and Ryan Taylor. We need set pieces and throws, but I also think Enrique and Jonas will cause problems down the left like against the mackems.
Back 4? Same. Did good.
2-1 the Toon.