Gabriel Obertan has signed on at Newcastle, and that’s hardly surprising, but Ober could also turn out to be an excellent signing for the Toon.
Gabriel Obertan – welcome aboard!!
Gabriel Obertan is clear that he has signed for one of England’s most famous clubs, if not particularly the most successful clubs of late.
It seems that Obertan knew all about the history Newcastle United before even Newcastle came after him, and let’s face it, it’s a great history – even if I am absolutely and hopelessly biased on that!
😀
Graham Carr, the Chief Scout said yesterday that he gets players to read up on the history of the Newcastle United club, and they are invariably impressed with what they read, and it makes it easier to attract them to the Toon.
6′ 1″ tall Gabriel, as expected, has signed a new five year contract at Newcastle, and the 22 year-old has this to say to the official Newcastle site:
“I’m just really happy to be here because this is still a big club for me.” “It wasn’t really a difficult decision to come here.”
“I spent two good years in Manchester but it was a bit difficult with the competition and I really needed a club where I could play more games.”“I know it won’t be easy to play each game here, because there’s a good group, but I want a fresh start in my football.”
“I’ve heard a lot about the fans, the atmosphere, the passion around the club and the way the city is just behind the club 100 per cent,”
“So I think I’m going to love it.”
Not sure why, but I’m over the moon with this signing, and maybe that’s because it’s Newcastle’s first signing since June 18th.
But also Gabriel could become a big crowd favorite at the club, and it’s completely up to him, and this lad certainly has the skill and speed to be a big hit on Tyneside.
And it’s good to see Derek LLambias in the photograph, as the Geordie fans need to see and hear a lot more from Derek, on what’s going on at Newcastle.
We are delighted to have Obertan on board.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
146 comments so far
ross armstrong
Aug 9, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Comment #121obertan imo is gna be better than what zoggy would be – quicker and not huffy for starters
Troleibusiukas_LTU
Aug 9, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Comment #122bendtner would be fantastic player for us, i really hope we could sing him, or sturridge or djalo and pieters. but we really need to get rid of smith, loverkrands, perch. we could also get rid of ashley ;))
Indian Magpie
Aug 9, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Comment #123last year we had 16,
included
perch smith routledge nolan carroll campbell, this year we are on the edge
OttersPocket
Aug 9, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Comment #124Felipe 118
I agree, last season we did not create a lot on the ground so hopefully with midfield now they will get better service, also with them being more comfortable on the ball takes pressure off the defence.
boater
Aug 9, 2011 at 12:57 PM
Comment #125Felipe – Go and have a look at Tevez’s goal for City at SJP or Lennon’s at SJP last season, as two examples of Simpson practically inviting players to find space and shooting range to score crucial goals- occasionally the majority get it right, Simmo’s backing off is a constant worry to me – HAVING SAID THAT .. i rate him as a prospect and would be in my 11 every week – just needs to work on that aspect.
Felipe
Aug 9, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Comment #126@boater 99: Something tells me you’ll be praying that obertan is a flop just so you can say I told you so…oh happy days!
loughy
Aug 9, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Comment #127When pardue said he wanted to build the squad aroung Mr T he wasnt kidding was he 99 percent of our midfield speak french aswell as The big Lad Ba up front. Do you think Mr T has problem speaking English lol
xfer
Aug 9, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Comment #128Felipe, nothing wrong backing off skilled players, he does it far too often, and times his tackles badly. Fair to say, he has alot to learn still.
Felipe
Aug 9, 2011 at 1:01 PM
Comment #129There’s a lot better players than Simpson have been made to look a fool by Tevez and Lennon (did you see him rip Real Madrid apart last season?). Doesn’t make Simpson a bad player and as I say they are taught not to dive in to quickly against these players so as not to be left on their arse. Do FB’s make mistakes sometimes? Yep!
Therapyman
Aug 9, 2011 at 1:01 PM
Comment #130Special K
Thanx! Missed tht part…as I said would be happy but not 100% sure he´s the “one”
xfer
Aug 9, 2011 at 1:03 PM
Comment #131Fair point on him not getting enough help from midfield compared to Jose (with Jonas).
What he does well is his defensive cover from crosses. He seems to win a decent amount, which can only be good. I hope he improves this season, or at least we have someone to challenge him. Ryan Taylor isnt a RB.
nufcrlegend
Aug 9, 2011 at 1:03 PM
Comment #132@122 i agree with you but cashley wouldnt pay more than 5million for a striker we do need to get rid of some weight to be able to afford wages for new players
Shorzy
Aug 9, 2011 at 1:04 PM
Comment #133Didnt see much of this lad at MancU but have a look at You Tube, this kid could be an absolute steal. Very clever, tricky and is like the road runner!!! Starting to look forward to the season now……..no for a striker or two and a left back please.
Troleibusiukas_LTU
Aug 9, 2011 at 1:06 PM
Comment #134obertan will be imnese for us this season! he is similar to ben arfa a bit, i really glad we captured him! Look at our midfield:
Marveux, Barton, Ben Arfa, Guthrie, Guttierez, Gosling, Cabaye, Tiote, Fergie, Vukcic, Ahbeid, Obertan. it’s full of quallity and numbers.
richard
Aug 9, 2011 at 1:07 PM
Comment #135after listening to pardew im optomistic we will get a striker in but i think it will be closer to the end of the winow
Troleibusiukas_LTU
Aug 9, 2011 at 1:08 PM
Comment #136xfer // Aug 9, 2011 at 1:03 PM
R.Taylo IS RB (and IMO is better than DS). He even told that he will challenge for RB spot this season.
RobertLeeNo.7
Aug 9, 2011 at 1:10 PM
Comment #137anyone got nufc.co.uk tv? can some or you Ed possibly blog the Carr interview please?
shamsoftabriz
Aug 9, 2011 at 1:31 PM
Comment #138Tiote back! Obertan on board to show us what he’s capable of if he gets playing time! Encouraging news for a change!
Irie-Magpie
Aug 9, 2011 at 1:44 PM
Comment #139Loving the blog today, SEXY FOOTBALL here we come, being a fan since 2001 and looking forward to watch my first game at St James Park later this year. Howay the lads!
Tiote4PM
Aug 9, 2011 at 1:59 PM
Comment #140Kieran Dyer with a few more tricks? And hopefully a better injury record!!!
GenralHez
Aug 9, 2011 at 2:15 PM
Comment #141@boater99 – the squad is much stronger than last year and the purchase price means nothing, or are you going to tell me that if you spend £35 million for an injured head banger with less than half a season in the premier guarantees you a good player?
If we get rid of the wage stealers, Smith, Perch, Xico etc, Barton has a brain transplant and Jose comes to his senses we would only be one quality stricker from a possible euro place.
toon-crazy
Aug 9, 2011 at 2:57 PM
Comment #142things are really start to look up for the toon , tiote back , pieters maybe coming , everything is starting to cool down from last week, lets just HOPE it carrys on !!!!
bills-son
Aug 9, 2011 at 4:10 PM
Comment #143Demba Ba … HBA
Demba Ba … HBA
Obertoon … Obertoon
Demba Ba … HBA
Demba Ba … HBA
Just can’t stop singing that in my head.
Must be my age.
cupiddstunt
Aug 9, 2011 at 4:46 PM
Comment #144I agree Felipe 40 odd years ago when I used to play we were shouted at then for lunging in at attackers and were told to stand off and “jockey” them into space or into a backup defender that was covering you.
I think one of the things Simpson needs is one of our defenders to step up to him a little and give him some support when he is having a hard time, but in fairness looking at our midfield now he should be getting some support from them this coming season.
I only hope we can get back and defend as quickly as we look like we can get up to attack.
kilcline
Aug 9, 2011 at 6:53 PM
Comment #145Someone please punch Derek liararse in the face if you see him.
CLOIN
Aug 9, 2011 at 7:36 PM
Comment #146FELIPE-OTTERS
So because we have a good midfield and we have ,all of a sudden sh*t forwards are going to start scoring goals.Well i played up front at a good standard and i can assure both of you that apart from BA the rest will not start scoring goals because they are rubbish .A sh*t striker will never come good they have either got it or they have not.
Thats the moan out of the way.
We must bring in 1 class striker who will hit 15+ goals this year (really we need 2 but we wont see that and scatter Ameobi & Loven-keep Ranger and Best for back up after all there well over the hill)and bring in a decent LB for Enrique.If that happens and no one else leaves there will be a general feeling of optimism IMO.
I would take a punt at Bendtner @ 23 yrs old £8-10 mill something to prove just like Obertan (welcome to the mags)