Shola Ameobi didn’t waste much time in making a couple of vital contributions to the Newcastle cause, after he was brought on for the injured Andy Carrol, just after half time on Monday night.
Shola Ameobi - looked very good Monday night
Shola scored a great individual goal after 71 minutes, and then set up left-back Jose Enrique just before the end of the game, for a goal that will long be remembered by Newcastle fans.
Newcastle manager Chris Hughton talked today about having Ameobi back for the final seven games of what has been a terrific season for Newcastle supporters:
“It’s been a shame for both Shola and ourselves that he’s not been able to play a bigger part this season,”
“You’ve seen that whenever he has played he’s scored goals and he’s actually got as many goals as starts now.”
“On Monday night you again saw what a good finisher he is, and that’s what Shola is – a very good finisher.”
“He has a chance now to come back in and finish the season as he started. He’ll have lots of energy and will no doubt be desperate to play.”
“It’s also nice to have Shola back around the place because he’s a good character and is a popular lad among the players and staff.”
Shola looked good on Monday night, and although he said he just hit the ball and hoped when he took that shot in the 71 st minute, it was a terrific strike from the former England U21 International.
That’s his 9th goal in 9 starts for Newcastle, and that’s not bad at all, and we wonder just how many goals the Nigerian-born striker would have scored if he hadn’t had all his injury problems this season.
Shola still has time to make an impact before the end of the season, just like he did at the beginning last August, when he helped to get the Newcastle club off to a great start in the league, which was so important, because it gave the players and supporters some belief at the time it was most needed.
We’d just love to see Shola hit a good few goals in the next month or so, because he will definitely be given lots of playing time by Hughton.
But we often wonder what Newcastle will do with all the strikers currently on board, because we seem to have quantity without enough quality.
Newcastle have Ameobi, Carroll, Lovenkrands, Best and young Nile Ranger, and maybe the two who are struggling the most will be Ameobi and Best.
In particular Leon Best is the only January signing who has not made a huge impact since being signed from Coventry in late January.
It seems that Best may be 4th in the peckling order, but the lad needs to be given time to settle on Tyneside, and let’s fact it, some players need more time than others.
And young 18 year-old Nile Ranger is still a tremendous prospect, and will need to get some games next season to keep improving, so we are wondering who Newcastle may want to move out in the summer, if anybody.
We would think the order behind top two strikers Lovenkrands and Carroll for the striker positions are Shola, Leon and Nile Ranger.
Who do you think, as far as strikers go?
Who should be moved out and who could be brought in this summer?
Comments very welcome.
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51 responses so far ↓
1 ksmit // Mar 31, 2010 at 3:59 PM
We also can’t forget that Xisco will be coming back at the end of the season… How’s he been doing? Will we be able to move him out for any amount of money?
2 AngelOfDeath // Mar 31, 2010 at 3:59 PM
off topic.
He is back.
http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20100331/vuckic-back-but-juniors-beaten-by-forest_2240137_2011289
3 boater // Mar 31, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Ed. Shola remains our best and most complete striker.
Ask yourselves a very simple question – could any of our other strikers have scored that goal on monday?? nahhh,, loven likes dropping off shoulders of the opposition, carroll likes to get on the end of things, but shola whilst not being as good at either of those 2 things – remains our least unilateral forward, and the only one that can make a chance for himself.
In the prem, you will have less opportunities to build passages of play in the opposition half, it is vital therefore to have someone who can take the ball on from deeper and create a chance for themselves..
ok – rant over for another day. Anyway ED!!!
We need 2 more players upfront 1) an experienced finisher with mobility and bit of pace,, someone like Bent/ C Cole. 2) a younger player who could take on the step up Like Charlie Adam or Whittingham.
1) Carroll 2) shola 3) loven + 2 more,
Best sold on (looks like he’s not gonna convince before the end of the season now).
Ranger loaned out until X-mas. He;s not ready for this division so no point in him taking a place on the bench next season.
4 Lasse // Mar 31, 2010 at 4:06 PM
We need one experienced striker in. Best and Xisco shipped out asap. If young Ranger is causing problems, replace him with another young prospect à la that Swindon- player
5 iain // Mar 31, 2010 at 4:09 PM
problem with shola that as good as he CAN be at other times he is utterly frustrating and injury prone, he got injured after scoring his goal against forrest and was useless until he set up enriques goal, question is for me can you afford to carry a player like him in the pl when he doesnt play well ??
xisco will surely go on loan to spain again or be used as part of a deal to sign someone from spain.
first choice strike force is still lovenkrants and carroll so i reckon long term we need to loan ranger out and get him some experience and make sure his head doesnt get too big thinking hes made it at nufc already. would keep best and shola as back up simply becuase shola is so injury prone lovenkrants is older and even if we bought a forward we would need a younger squad player in a season or two so pointless wasting money selling best to replace him with another squad player.
we need a quality young pacy cf who will run in behind like loven, bloody hard to find one for a good price especially english or with pl experience these days.
just wonder if there would be any chance of getting bojan on loan from barca next season seeing as he seems to have fallen down the pecking order a bit there at the moment…
6 Aza9 // Mar 31, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Keep: Lovens, Carroll, Ameobi
Sell: Best, Xisco
Loan: Ranger
Buy: One young striker, 1 more experienced striker (Kevin Doyle/Kris Boyd)
7 Aza9 // Mar 31, 2010 at 4:17 PM
Good to hear Vuckic was back for the youth team tonight!
8 DJG // Mar 31, 2010 at 4:29 PM
Hope Vuckic can get up to speed for Villa at home. Im definately going to that.
Best and Xisco need to be shipped out. Xisco possibly as a makeweight for a spanish playmaker to add to our spanish speaking contingent. Butt will retire.
I think although Billy Davis overshot the mark a wee bit Ashley will need to spend to stop us becoming a yoyo club.
£3-4M on James Perch. Should be easy if Forest lose in the playoff lottery.
£5-8M on a decent playmaker.
£10-15M on a quality forward to complement what we have. Not a has-been or a nearly there, im talking top 6 class forward.
9 boater // Mar 31, 2010 at 4:30 PM
Iain – true, shola is hardly the answer to our prayers in the long-term. Injuries have taken their toll more and more.
On the plus side, he is experienced and CAN score goals at the next level. There are so many unknown quantities if we do go up, it’s good to know we have one more experienced head.
I also have a sneaky feeling that he is becoming an intelligent and better technically player with age, better finisher than Heskey or C Cole I’d say. I think he deserves to be in there for next season.
Don’t forget Beckford on a free is a strong possibility for the summer. Also – Adam, Fryatt, whittingham, dorrans – are all players could do a job for us from CCC I’m sure.
10 DJG // Mar 31, 2010 at 4:37 PM
iain // Mar 31, 2010 at 4:09 PM
‘just wonder if there would be any chance of getting bojan on loan from barca next season’
Would be great if we got him! I doubt it but we should try. Pedro also.
11 skutball1892 // Mar 31, 2010 at 4:38 PM
I think Beckford on a free wouldn’t be bad, however, I think he’d request a ridiculous wage for playing in the premier league and to be honest he isn’t THAT good, especially at the top level. We definitely need some experience up front, I agree with C. Cole, and if we don’t find anyone….BRING BACK SHEARER
12 ksmit // Mar 31, 2010 at 4:43 PM
Top 6 for less than 15 mil? No chance!
13 Black and White Toon // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:05 PM
I think the simple answer is that Ranger needs to go on loan to a Championship club.
He’s nowhere near a complete player yet and while he did a stand-up job at the start of the season he needs first team football before he is ready for the Prem.
Keep Carroll, Lovenkrands and Shola. Bring in one more, if the price is right.
As for Best, i’m left scratching my head…
14 Toonmania // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:13 PM
whats this guy like anyone seen him play???
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_6067085,00.html
15 thud and blunder // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:22 PM
@ Toonmania
Albin is QUALITY!! if we can get him on a bosman free then that a fantastic signing. Fingers crossed on that. Remember he has a few mates already playing in Newcastle ie Jonas, Colo and Enrique.
Hes even class on Football Manager 2010. haha
16 thud and blunder // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:25 PM
No chance of getting Bojan on loan. Hes in their first team plans…..
Id loan Ranger for a season, maybe to Norwich or someone. Id like to think we would sell Best but I cant see it saying weve just bought him.
Keep Shola, Carroll and Lovenkrands and buy a small pacey striker. Personally id go for Robbie Keane…..but we couldnt afford his wages
17 Geordie-Gerrard7 // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:28 PM
albin is amaising mate, he looks like he likes the idea of us. would be over the moon with him
18 Geordie-Gerrard7 // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:33 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K25OV96gT4c
albin.
and were being linked to doyle .http://www.clubcall.com/newcastle-united/race-strike-ace-1045287.html
19 Geordiedoonsooth // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:38 PM
Get rid of Carroll he’s a thug get rid of Best he’s not good enough Keep Ameobi good backup, & give Ranger a good run in the team
20 Geordie-Gerrard7 // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:39 PM
geordiedoonsooth- shut up you mug, get rid of carroll??
21 TORONTOON // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:50 PM
geeesh we’ve never gave Xisco a chance and he’s still very young (23) .
and if westham goes down what about giving scott parker another chance. he’s playing out of his skin at the moment.
22 grahamnufc // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:54 PM
I’d like to see Parker come back but if west ham don’t get relegated maybe we could bring back Darren Ambrose
23 BeeGuy // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:54 PM
From where I sit:
Carroll has awesome potential and looks to be learning the part. He got in one good cross a few weeks ago & now will lay them right in there as if he loves it. And who of us could fault his volley in the rain Monday that Camp made a brilliant save on?I don’t think anyone else on NUFC has that gymnastic capability.
Keep Lovenkrands. He has the smarts & plays the entire time he is on the pitch.
Try to loan Ranger to the MLS for the summer, and if he does not blossom, loan him to a UK side he will play for every week and that has good attendance. Ranger seems to rise to the occasion, and cheering fans pump him up. He looks like he can cover the entire field and the ball sticks to him.
Give Best the summer to find himself.
See how Shola holds up through the end of the season. His injuries are an expensive luxury for a team looking to be lean and mean.
Don’t forget the academy lads.
24 The Entertainers // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:55 PM
Even with all these strikers we still lack a poacher !
I believe all deserve to stay, Best aside!
25 NUFCELITE // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:56 PM
Forwards for next season will be shola,loverboy,carrol,ranger sat down, told to buck up his ideas and send him out on loan for the season, see how he dos.Keep best i think, dont think he is showing on the pitch what mr hughton is seeing in training,so a bit more time to settle i think.The striker i would love to see come in would be agbonlahor from villa,pace to burn,23 years old,plus i think you will get a very large sell on fee, if you wanted to sell him 3 or 4 years down the line.As for xisco, sell if some mug will buy him, find a mug to buy him il drive him there myself.
26 Geordie-Gerrard7 // Mar 31, 2010 at 6:02 PM
looking forward to this arsenal barca game
27 toongloom // Mar 31, 2010 at 6:12 PM
Id let go off: Smith, ameobi, Xisco, best and ranger.
Keep carroll, lovenkrands and buy 2 decent forwards and another young upcoming star. We need a prolific goal porcher, i reckon james beattie is worth a shout. Mite be slightly old but at 2-3m a bargain because u know he will score goals. Other options doyle, robby keane, carlton cole (if hammers go down)
sky are reporting tht we have agreed a fee for Juan Albin of Getafe.
28 fips // Mar 31, 2010 at 6:20 PM
that sky sports link about Juan Angel Albin that Toonmania posted, any one think hes the creative midfielder? he seems to make more than he scores as he has only score 3 all season :/ hmm and he is nippy which pace is what we need. just a thought.
29 Geordie-Gerrard7 // Mar 31, 2010 at 6:28 PM
albin..hes like an arshavin kind of player.
anyone going to be flicking over to the cska game from the arsenal game, take a look at krasic and necid for cska, both amaising.
just like to say im gutted about young gosling of everton, qaulity player, played with him myself, he is very good and hope he recovers fully
30 fips // Mar 31, 2010 at 6:35 PM
yeah i shall be flicking over between games, want to see how nonda plays for cska as he seems to be a canny player. necid is amazing like.
31 Geordie-Gerrard7 // Mar 31, 2010 at 6:47 PM
did anyone just see that barca corner, busquets shot?? what an opening two minutes
32 Geordie-Gerrard7 // Mar 31, 2010 at 6:48 PM
nonda is very good, if mike ashley thought about things, if he signed a brilliant asian, it would open up the marketing of the club in asia
33 Geordie-Gerrard7 // Mar 31, 2010 at 6:51 PM
ibra just missed an absoloute sitter, barca are sooo good to watch
34 Geordie-Gerrard7 // Mar 31, 2010 at 6:59 PM
wat a save almunia
35 fips // Mar 31, 2010 at 6:59 PM
jesus how many attempts to barca want!
this is just shot after shot after shot!
36 Geordie-Gerrard7 // Mar 31, 2010 at 7:24 PM
13 shots to 1
37 BeeGuy // Mar 31, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Having Maicon is like having an extra midfielder and extra striker on at the same time. CH should be looking to have the kind of ball control as Inter and Barca. That would chew up most of the PL teams.
38 Mac // Mar 31, 2010 at 8:50 PM
Geordie G u sorted this league out yet? I was playing tonight and i was on fire
39 baro // Mar 31, 2010 at 8:51 PM
I am super glad Haris Vuckic is back!! Hope he can get a couple of games in first team and beat off the villians in the reserves this year.
40 skutball1892 // Mar 31, 2010 at 8:53 PM
Ranger to Leeds? They might need someone to replace Beckford, and he’ll probably get a first team place.
41 iain // Mar 31, 2010 at 8:56 PM
one thing is for sure, even if we only got boyd or beckford on a free overall our striking options would be imrpoved to a degree, some improvement is better than non.
what would worry me most is getting no one and having to rely on best to perform, shola to stay fit and god forbid xisco if we cant shift him on again…
i would just rather we took the risk out staying up and bought a quality forward that would qaurentee us the goals we need.
42 baro // Mar 31, 2010 at 9:01 PM
There is now some news that Newcastle want Kevin Doyle once back in Premier League. Would be a big help for our team. Never quits.
43 GeordieMeerkat // Mar 31, 2010 at 9:09 PM
With all the talk about Doyle, everyone seems to have forgotten about Matt Derbyshire who’s game is almost identical. He’d probably be easier and cheaper to sign from Olympiakos then Doyle from Wolves.
44 Geordie-Gerrard7 // Mar 31, 2010 at 9:13 PM
hope we get doyle but cant see it
45 baro // Mar 31, 2010 at 9:13 PM
Geordie Meerkat
Matt Derbyshire who recently played for Black’burn, he is awesome, has the speed and finishing, definitley would be cheaper than doyle but, i think he still would be high money wouldn’t he? Doing very good for Olympiakos this year.I think he scored the winner vs Panathinaikos 0ne of the biggest derbies.
46 baro // Mar 31, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Geordie-Gerrard7
Well open your eyes then!
47 Laposna // Mar 31, 2010 at 9:40 PM
what about Cacau from stuttgart??
He is only 29 and have played 6 years from stuttgart. Bosman in the summer, he just refused to sign a new contract. Get him to the PL.
48 NUFC5_MUFC0 // Mar 31, 2010 at 11:14 PM
Keep: Carroll, McLoven, Ameobi, Best (give him time to prove himself)
Loan out: Ranger as he needs games.
Nolan and Smith can also play up top so I don’t think we need to panic and buy a striker for the sake of it as we’ll be playing 4-5-1 every away game next season. Carton Cole would be welcome at the right price and we could consider swapping him with Ameobi or Smith. But I would go with what we have got until January then buy then if needed.
49 Bucks mag // Mar 31, 2010 at 11:35 PM
I’d really like to see Boyd here, the SPL is of a lower quality but I rate him. It’s been a while since we’ve had a Scot.
.
Throw in Scott Brown whilst you’re at as well
50 NUFCELITE // Apr 1, 2010 at 3:18 AM
Not really a big fan of doyle, he dont score enough goals for me, whats he got in goals 7 out of 27 matches, works out at about a goal every 4 games no thanks.Ya need a fella can get ya at least 20 a season in the prem.
51 NUFCELITE // Apr 1, 2010 at 3:35 AM
We need some1 like agbonlahor, he would be our 1st line of defence, as other teams would not be able to come to far forward.Pace to burn, can hold the ball up,can cross the ball,gets ya goals, and best of all only 23 years old.Sell in his prime mega bucks.
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