Gabriel Obertan had a first season at Newcastle that was interrupted too much by injury.
Gabriel Obertan – can still make it big on Tyneside
But he still got to make 25 appearances, with 19 starts for Newcastle with one superb goal, scored against Blackburn Rovers at at Ewood Park in January.
In the two previous season he was at Manchester United he appeared only 28 times with one goal so Gabby is pleased with the extra playing time he got at Newcastle.
The jury is still out on the French U21 International, but he is a willing worker, and he can still become a top player for Newcastle under Alan Pardew’s excellent tutelage.
The 23-year-old can run at opposing defenses and scare the living daylights out of them, and he quite a few games where he looked the part of Newcastle.
More games in the Premier League will only help this player, who seemed pleased enough with his first season on Tyneside:
“For my first season, I’m quite happy,” “You always want more. I’ve played maybe 20 games, and compared to the two previous seasons, that’s a lot.”
“I’m quite happy with it. I’m just a bit frustrated about the injuries, but that’s football.”
And with Newcastle back in Europe after six years absence, there will be more games for Newcastle to play and Gabby should get plenty of playing time next season.
The lad is still young at only 23 – and Newcastle fans and the coaches will need to be just a little patient with the Frenchman.
That’s what Alan Pardew said during the season with the former Bordeaux player:
“We have to be patient with him,” “He understands that he needs to threaten the goal a bit more, but his pace, trust me, makes the opposition go on the back foot.”
Gabby’s potential was spotted early and he played for all of the French youth sides through U21 level, and played for them 11 times and in total played 49 games with 9 goals for all the French Youth sides from U16 through U21.
We still think the player, who was born on the outskirts of Paris in Pantin, has a decent chance of becoming a good player at Newcastle.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
61 comments so far
jayphoto
May 25, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Comment #1think obertan will come good! Always thought he’d be better off playing a more forward role! for me, his problem is confidence! He has pace to burn but he never seems to have the confidence to have a go at the full back! His control is excellent and every now and then he puts in a peach of a cross! Also think he causes teams to play a deeper line which puts Ba and cisse closer to goal! Not to mention hes a great outlet when counter attacking!
FatmanJoe
May 25, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Comment #2Yeah I think he has a big future and next season we’ll see massive improvements I’m sure. Bit worrying that he seems a bit over the moon with himself though!
Jail for Ashley
May 25, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Comment #3Beardo,
From previous thread,were you being serious there, is that the reason he supposedely never fit in ?
jayphoto
May 25, 2012 at 11:41 AM
Comment #4think hes more happy that he got game time! Remember seeing him play at some u21 or u19 tournament for france a few years back, looked unbelievable, best player on the pitch at the time! Needs consitency though!
jayphoto
May 25, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Comment #5@JFA yeah hes right about xisco being Gay! http://www.queerty.com/englands-first-out-gay-soccer-player-xisco-isnt-even-out-20090314/
shouldn’t matter to him intergrating atall though, and certainly should affect his dire form!
FatmanJoe
May 25, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Comment #6Yeah I’ve just read te quote again and I you’re right – he’s happy at the game time.
Wouldn’t surprise me if there is still homophobia in football but the pics don’t really tell us he’s gay and I don’t think that has anything to do with being rubbish.
estechco
May 25, 2012 at 11:49 AM
Comment #7Also from prev thread – I think Xisco’s brother (and agent) Toni Jiminez was probably mostly to blame for this one rather than Dennis Wise…not that I’m defending the poisoned dwaarf!
Carlo.man
May 25, 2012 at 11:49 AM
Comment #8I think obertan has promise and i hope he goes back to playing like this its all about confidence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYQnPx1dOAk
jayphoto
May 25, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Comment #9just want to pop a link up to my Great Uncle Charlies charity! http://www.charliecroweappeal.com/
My grandmothers brother, an amazing guy, this charity does some great work in toon!
markmac
May 25, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Comment #10looking forward to seeing his pace in the europa league, hope he can find some confidence from playing and hopefully beating a few lesser quality FB’s ! thats unless we end up playing the top sides :-/
Beardo
May 25, 2012 at 11:53 AM
Comment #11JFA
Nope. Just speculating. Although it’s not beyond the realms of possibility, even in this modern age, especially when you consider the cultural diversity of a dressing room and that the English are supposedly one of the more liberal countries and we still have big issues with sexuality, no matter what people say to the contrary.
jayphoto
May 25, 2012 at 11:53 AM
Comment #12heard we werent seeded for UEFA cup and looked set to face a good side in the qualifier?
wynsleap
May 25, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Comment #13jayphoto @ 1 – Spot on.
Hopefully he’ll get more game time with a more crowded schedule next season.
Think he had unfair criticism last season and with more confidence could be a really good wingman for us next time round. His speed is really an asset we should be nurturing.
Beardo
May 25, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Comment #14But yes, he is certainly gay, if that’s the part you were querying.
mondziu
May 25, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Comment #15@ Carlo.man
I watched this movie couple of weeks ago and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I hope he improves this year and I would be ready to give him some more time to develope as he gives a promise.
Maybe he is one of the ‘late developers’ we are supposed to look for?
@ Beattie25
Now, that I’m logged in – happy bitrhday!
FatmanJoe
May 25, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Comment #16His speed is an asset but his clumsy first touch needs improving massively.
In training they should keep smacking the ball at him until he learns to control it properly.
Or something similar to that.
graham cwarr
May 25, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Comment #17@jesper from last thread. I was being sarcastic about xisco. He’s bloody hopeless.
I’ve said for ages i think obertan will come through for us. He’s got all the tools. He just needs to find the manuals for them.
graham cwarr
May 25, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Comment #18Well said jay @1 especially the bit about opposition playing a deeper line. His pace can be scary and his one goal showed he can use it well along with the fact that when he has a clear head he can place a ball perfectly. Its the pressure he can’t deal with right now. Both from defenders harrying him and the pressure of fans having a go at him.
He does look like a sensitive little soul doesn’t he.
jesperfuglsang
May 25, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Comment #19@ graham cwarr
would have thought so, but it’s always difficult with sarcasm in written form 🙂 have to tread carefully lol
Well if Obertan has to come through from us, I honestly think AP needs to stay clear of his insanely boring and conservative 4-4-2.
It really doesn’t complement many of our foreign players.
A player like Obertan is best suited in a 4-3-3 kind of formation; but in my book h needs to do a lot of hard work this season to move forward.
jesperfuglsang
May 25, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Comment #20from = for
graham cwarr
May 25, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Comment #21@jesper i totally agree with everything you’ve said there 4-3-3 is much better for us. Sometimes we need to go 4-4-2 as it works better against certain teams.
I think obertan will be playing plenty in Europe if we get through qualifiers. Which will hopefully increase his confidence. Other than that he’s a event understudy for Ben arfa. Blistering pace in the last 20-30 mins can decimate a tired defence sometimes. Especially one chasing a lead or looking to break the deadlock.
jayphoto
May 25, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Comment #22personally think ba’s lack of goals is due to obertan not being in the team! Because of his pace and teams playing closer to their own goal it meant ba had to cover less ground to get into the penalty area and was always closer to goal when we had the ball!
jesperfuglsang
May 25, 2012 at 12:33 PM
Comment #23Either way it’s make it or break it for a frw players this season: Obertan, Gosling, Marveaux and Vuckic.
I have faith in all of above, but they need to show they can cut it this season, both physically and technically.
I thin both Simpson, Best and Ranger will be sold and Guthrie, Loven and Smith are at the end of their contract.
So I think we need 5-6 new players, not counting Amalfitano. Any thoughts?
check the toastie
May 25, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Comment #24Hope Obertoon comes good, but will have to show more desire to work hard and play for the shirt if its going to happen. Pardew trusted him at Arsenal and he was poor and didnt seem to give a fcuk, not a good enough attitude, has ability but it may be impossible for the lad to show it, think the confidence of his youth has disappeared forever.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
May 25, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Comment #25What’s all this xisco’s gay stuff? Is it solely based on the posted link?
Firstly…who cares?
Secondly….if it’s only based on the pictures…I am 99% sure those pics are taken at a beach club in Playa D’en Bossa (Ibiza) called Bora Bora and two guys kissing there is not unusual, nor an indicator they are in fact gay.
On Squiddy….I think he’ll be a good player for us. Whether he’ll reach his previous potential…we shall see
ryan toon
May 25, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Comment #26Hi lads howz it going?
jayphoto
May 25, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Comment #27saw someone mention Alain Traore earlier…??? be an immense signing he would!
cupiddstunt
May 25, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Comment #28From a previous thread sorry folks just waded through today’s threads and was too late to post a current comment.
Indian Magpie why do you feel that jayphoto was forcing his opinion on you???
Was it possibly because you came out with an ill-based comment and jay responded with a far sounder informative repost leaving you with nowhere to go but down???
You persist in trying to force your own opinions on readers of this blog by repeating your opinions but posting them like statements instead of posting opinions, and I am sure that your command of the English language means you know the differences I am talking about.
You are also a little obsessive about the first post spot and don’t even begin to try and say it is coincidental, is this so you can ensure you force your opinion on others first.
jesperfuglsang
May 25, 2012 at 1:02 PM
Comment #29Isn’t he African?
Don’t like the idea of another African as an understudy for Ba and Papisto; we’re going to be in real trouble come January then they all could leave for the ACON.
God I wish that ACON could be every fourth year like any other tournament.
Indian Magpie
May 25, 2012 at 1:10 PM
Comment #30Cupidstunt,
I Just Think Roy Hodgson is Your run of the mill average manager, Jayphoto thinks he is good manager good on him for that.
But I dont think so.
So what if i post First, who is stopping you or any1 else
cupiddstunt
May 25, 2012 at 1:21 PM
Comment #31Jesperfuglsang @ # 29
J you are right inasmuch as it is a bit of a problem at the moment but since we have the “World Cup” the “European Cup” The “Copa America” and the ACON, they have never really been a problem in the past for us.
Our problem rises due to the fact that we now have a substantial number (in relation to team numbers) of players that play in the ACON.
Off the top of my head I think if the ACON was moved to the same dates as the European cup then the bulk of the problem goes away in fact if all the other continental cups were played two years out of step with the world cup then that should resolve 99% of the problems.
Other than that we only pick players that fit your preferred schedule, but don’t cry when an African player is banging goals in for one of the opposition. 🙂
Colo-Sus
May 25, 2012 at 1:25 PM
Comment #32I have always defended this lad to the hilt,
I think like many on here that he needs coaching up a bit but he has great pace, which is a huge asset,
We will need him this season especially with the extra games, he is decent cover fro benny on the right! Valuable Squad Player.
Also he does work hard for the team, dont know what some are on about here, he chases back alot of the time and is generally a good worker.
Solid Squad Player
Colo-Sus
May 25, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Comment #33Alright Ibiza mate, hows tricks
Please remove that CODARM rubbish pal,
Ibiza was a much better name, OV was a bit of a dorkfest tbf haha
alkinou
May 25, 2012 at 1:33 PM
Comment #34“NEWCASTLE TRANSFERS
OUT
IN
Romain Amalfitano – free – Reims
Lionel Messi – £86M – Barcelona – pending”
Good one Ed hadn’t spotted that one 😀
cupiddstunt
May 25, 2012 at 1:37 PM
Comment #35Indian Magpie @ # 30
My post was in reply to your comment of jayphoto “forcing his opinion” on you.
As I posted your command of the English language is far superior to a lot of posters on here and you know well enough how to post an opinion and how to post a statement/fact.
Your current post is probably the first in a very long time that you have posted as an opinion you normally post your comment in the form of fact.
As for posting first, you obviously monitor the threads as Ed is threading and more often than not your first post is somewhat puerile often posted in haste in order to have the first post in the thread,
For example “first” does not really offer much to the content of the blog, and I am sure you are aware of the subliminal effect of early posts and how they set the tone for the thread.
At the end of the day all I am saying is don’t go crying about someone forcing their opinion on you when you do it all the time to this blog.
GoalsBringSmiles
May 25, 2012 at 1:42 PM
Comment #36Obertan is not good enough and never will be. Plenty of pace but no footballing brain, something which I highly doubt he will develop.
LEROI
May 25, 2012 at 1:43 PM
Comment #37Ober has never been the reason we’ve conceded any goals so he aint so bad in that respect, he tracks back, he can run like the wind, he has delivered some good crosses this season and he’s not going to abandon us in january because he isn’t african. those are his plus points. these are his negative points. he sometimes has a bad 1st touch, he like hba pass when they should run or vice versa, he does attempt to win the high ball with his head i’ll give him that but he can’t actually do it haha and last but not least Ben Arfa now owns the right wing so poor Ober will have to settle for carling cup games like he was palmed off with at man u.
cupiddstunt
May 25, 2012 at 1:56 PM
Comment #38Watching Tan at times can be a little frustrating I watch him go at a defender and often have that defender beat but then he comes to a halt which allow the defender and his back up to get back into a good position.
It’s almost like watching a new start playing chess when they play one move at a time Tan almost plays like that.
If he were to lift his head and see the lay of the land before setting out on one of his runs then I think we would see a far better player and there would be far more effect and end product.
He appears to have the pace to blow past most defenders so why does he not draw the defender towards himself knock the ball by and get after it all the while have plans in place for beating the next defender by lay off or step inside/outside and go again.
It’s almost like he beats the defenders then stops and think crap what do I do now, it has been a problem in the past where really fast players beat the defence but arrive in the opposition last third with no back up and no one to pass to.
Jail for Ashley
May 25, 2012 at 1:59 PM
Comment #39They reckon dinosaurs had very small brains in comparison to the size of their heads…..
LEROI
May 25, 2012 at 2:02 PM
Comment #40If we’re talking about players going out and coming in, i don’t want to lose Ba, Tiote, Guthrie, Best OR Simmo because Ba and Tiote could be in any clubs starting 11 and Guthers, Best and Simmo could still be great back up players like Obertan. my players going out would be:-
loven,gosling,smith,xisco and ranger, even though i will have to with regret accept that Guthrie wants constant 1st team football and he must join the list off outs.
Incoming will probably be:- Amalfitano,Debuchy,Alderwield,Lowinsky and a suprise Striker like Rhodes or Rodrigues and we may get Corgnet