Leon Best seems determined to make it back before the end of the season, so he can help Newcastle with their European push.
Leon Best – in Ireland’s colors
With Peter Lovenkrands out for the season, we only have Shola Ameobi as back-up to Senegal strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse, so it would be good to get Leon back.
Best suffered some knee ligament damage in last month’s 2-1 home win over Aston Villa, and it seems that the player is ready to start running this week, as he attempts to get fully fit again.
Leon has four goals in 21 appearances this season so far, and he talked about how desperate he is to get back as soon as possible:
“I hate not being able to play,” “Obviously, I’d love to be out there.” “It almost feels like I am out there when I’m watching. I’m kicking every ball, and willing the lads on.”
“As long as we’re winning and still getting points, that’s the main thing. We’re still well up there and playing good football. We’ve got some good games coming up.”
“I start running soon, so hopefully I’ll be back,” “My aim’s to be back this season, and I’m definitely going to push to be back.” “I’m due to see the specialist again, and I think he’ll tell me when I can do other things.”
“I’d love to get a couple of games, which would give me a chance to get in the squad for next season, when we’d love to be in Europe.”
Leon has 10 goals for Newcastle in 46 appearances since signing from Coventry just over two years ago.
Best was speaking at a Show Racism the Red Card educational event at St James’s Park yesterday, with Senegal striker Demba Ba and former Newcastle left back Olivier Bernard and South Shields born striker Richard Offiong.
Offiong never played for the first team at Newcastle, but he was a Newcastle Junior before leaving the club in 2004, and he currently plays for Johor FA in Malaysia.
Olivier Bernard played for Newcastle mainly under Bobby Robson, from 2000 through 2005, and made over 100 appearances for the side with 6 goals.
It’s good that these players are helping a very good cause.
Comments welcome.
27 comments so far
lewytoon
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Comment #1such nice weather
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Comment #2Be good to have him back as an option. Not sure if I’d pick him at the moment, Ameobi is doing his job well at the end of games. But if Ba or Cisse need a rest before the season end, Best will certainly have a role to play
lewytoon
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Comment #3best was playing well earlier in the season, but slowly faded away before his injury, think he’ll come back fighting, he’ll be wanting to get in the ireland squad.
lewytoon
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Comment #4about simpson from yesterday, i dont like him and think he’s poor, but i do understand we need him for the final 8 games just to fill in the rb spot, however i think we need a better fullback for next season if we want to push on.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:34 AM
Comment #5Lewy…agree on Best. Simmo however, I think he deserves a bit more credit than that. Not the future RB of the club, but certainly has done reasonably well for us. Not saying I wouldn’t welcome a better full back with open arms 🙂
lewytoon
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Comment #6what do you think about obertan?
lewytoon
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Comment #7simmo has done ok, he is quite steady but is frustrating as he doesnt attack much and always backs away from his man. he’s done 2 goal line clearances this season which is obviously good and has had 4 good games of note, however other than that id say he was only average, we need a more attcking rb.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Comment #8Hmmm…Obertan, what to say. Shows some glimpses of a good player. Certainly has a role to play. Not quite as wonderful as I’d like, but happy to give him some time. With extra games next season (hopefully), he will be needed. I know he’s not new to the PL, but until this season, he never had a good run of games. I expect to see a better version of him next season. I don’t think he’s a flop like some people
blissna
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Comment #9I like Best. It’s what he does off the ball that makes him an asset. Agree that Shola has really found a winning formula of late. Still hope to see best fit before end if season. Also can’t wait for Marveaux back,
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Comment #10On simmo. Would basically agree on that summary.
What’s your view of obertan the bullet head?
pardews waxwork lips
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Comment #11I think we are ok next season with best ameobi ba and cisse as our strikers, we are also ok in midfield providing guthrie doesn’t leave the most obvious needs are a new right back or left and swtch santon right. And of course a CB.. Any other good qualty in a range of positions like an out and out direct winger, or a driving force attacking minded cm welcomed. I doubt we will get a striker as we now have two headline strikers and another would be unthinkable wouldn’t ti!
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:42 AM
Comment #12Bliss…completely agree on Marveaux. Could be quite a player. Having these players back before the end could prove to be great for us. Remember Saylor last season? Came back like a machine wanting to make his mark…which he certainly did. HWTL
blissna
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:42 AM
Comment #13Only 2 line clearances for Simmo? Think it’s over double that actually.
lewytoon
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Comment #14no, obertan isnt a flop, i agree with you there. he just has no confidence. he will be used next year for rotation if we get europe and i think he could become very good. the french lads around him will help him and with him being so young hes still settling in, same as santon. he scored a goal against blackburn which would have been good for him. he’s also very fast. ive heard he wasnt a carr buy and more of pardews own personal project, he might make a good striker as he isnt good at crossing and with his pace he would be a bit like agbonlahor, do a henry and switch him from winger to striker, im sure pardews already tried that slightyly. he isnt good atm but i think he’ll get better.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Comment #15waxwork lips…Don’t think we’ll get another starting striker (unless one leaves – shakes head), but a young promising talent, yes
blissna
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Comment #16I’m loving the transformation of perch too. He’s getting to be quite the player. Can’t believe I just put that in writing.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Comment #17Lewy…Completely agree. You must be one wise fellow 🙂
martoon
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Comment #18So Ibiza on Simpson I’m starting to get the impression that you think he is “Not the future RB of the club” (revenge 😉 )
pardews waxwork lips
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Comment #19Simpson is pathetic anybody who see’s differently obviously likes the lad for trying but this is the EPL trying does not win you plaudits unless you acutally play well too. Simpson has made a couple of goal line cleaences but has also defended shabbilyand in decisive at times… Can’t jockey or push his man away forr shit. Santon ether pushes his man wide or doesn’t let him past mostly you can see he will be class, simpson will never improve..
lewytoon
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Comment #20i’d sign:
eric pieters – solid lb, young dutch international, friends with krul and apparently wants to come, can switch santon to rb.
benjamin corgnet – cm, french and attacking, would be perfect for the 3 in the middle, can replace gosling or guthrie.
douglas – big cb, can push for first team, no nonsense
drenthe – fan of him, on loan at everton and shows he has fight and determination, fast powerful and skillful however he is a bit of a hot head
jordan rhodes – up coming top striker, just what we need.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Comment #21Martoon…lol. Well played sir, well played. Whilst writing to you, what’s your thoughts on strikers for this weekend, one up top and the other benched? 😉
lewytoon
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Comment #22and thanks CODARM haha 😀
martoon
Mar 27, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Comment #23Ibiza @21 Touche, Yes I would play Shola up front on his own NOT 😉
Seriously same team as WBA with Perch moving to CB and Raylor/Santon at LB depending on the fitness of Raylor.
check the toastie
Mar 27, 2012 at 1:47 PM
Comment #24Like besty he has done well for us, last season and this, however will struggle to play games for us with our new dynamic duo, we may move him on in the summer me thinks, get some young backup in whos more likely to accept that role.
ScreamingTree
Mar 27, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Comment #25I Like Besty alot, but his goal to game ratio is awfull and he doesnt offer to much more than that, hold up play,linking up etc.!!!However for some reason i still value him as a team member…Hope he gets back fit soon and can help us this season when called upon.His goals have won us a fair few points when he has scored them….
geordiejamie89
Mar 27, 2012 at 6:44 PM
Comment #26Hopefully Newcastle will improve next season. And perhaps him moving on would be good for Newcastle, with two new strikers coming in ready to perform.
Leon Best seems good, but I think Newcastle could do better, especially with the strikers we’ve been linked with. This is important as our two top strikers will be out at the same time in the next africa cup. There’s plenty talent out there, it’s up to Mike Ashley and Pards to commit to building the squad.
mra
Mar 28, 2012 at 3:28 AM
Comment #27Gods honest truth until i scrolled down to his picture I had kinda forgotten about Best….. oops. To be fair i like his work of the ball and hold up/ link up play. If he comes back and is happy as a squad player than happy to have him on the bench. And maybe the comp will be good for his game.