Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi has been given his first call-up by the country he was born in – Nigeria – for a friendly next week against Venezuela in Miami.
First call up for Shola Ameobi
And just when we escaped having two of our strikers, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse, away in January and some of February in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), there is now the distinct possibility that Shola could be called up for that tournament, and not be available to Newcastle for a number of weeks.
Newcastle will already be without Ivory Coast International Cheick Tiote, who is representing his country at the AFCON.
Ameobi played for the England U21 side 20 times and scored 7 goals but has never been capped at the full England level and therefore is still available to play for the country of his birth, and even though he turned 31 last month.
The AFCON have had three tournaments in the last four years, and it comes right in the middle of the European football season, and is a huge inconvenience to teams who have top African players – like Newcastle.
The Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi will also name 15 players from the Nigeria Premier League for this match, as well as the foreign players, and this is in preparation for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
This is a list of the invited foreign players:
Goalkeeper: Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva/ISR)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga/POR), Onyekachi Apam (Rennes/FRA)
Midfielders: Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis/ESP), Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio/ITA), Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor/TUR)
Forwards: Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Victor Moses (Chelsea/ENG), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United/ENG), Obafemi Martins (Levante/ESP)
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176 comments so far
Toon Tang
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Comment #41indeed beefman , but he wont be given the chance that owen or rooney got in the first team for at least another couple of years . that appears to be the trend up our end of town
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Comment #42Mister….Interesting thoughts.
Xisco – Could be a number of things. As you say, showcasing him to offload in January, even for a small fee, at least it removes his wages. Also, he may have impressed any who knows, may be playing for a new contact (highly unlikely imo). Third option, just playing as we feel we’re short on goal scorers.
Abeid….I think Pardew wanted to assess how things were going this season before sending people out on loan. He’s new to Europe and I just feel he didn’t want to shoot himself in the foot. Nothing more, nothing less imo.
Ba – No comment 🙂 This issue drives me up the wall. Want him to stay, so please give him a new contract and get rid of this £7m nonsense. If pardew has info that he is likely to move on mind, drumming up interest may increase any offers.
Ahsley and his spending….Spot on. He has a template in place, but that doesn’t mean he wont deviate from that if he sees fit.
So…a question for you. Let’s say we qualify top of the group and still sit mid-table. Do you think the clubs priorities will change? For instance accept mid-table this year and go all out for a trophy?
toonarmydownsouth
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Comment #43Toon tang
Thankyou good sir!
You reckon xisco or campbell will get game time thursday?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:43 PM
Comment #44tads…Good work
Toon Tang
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:44 PM
Comment #45id personally chuck him in now and see how he does. these european nights are perfect, but i dont reckon he will start him . he should be given at least a game to show himself
toonarmydownsouth
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:44 PM
Comment #46Ibiza
Word 😉
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:46 PM
Comment #47tads…bird?
Toon Tang
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:47 PM
Comment #48tads id love to see them both feature at the very least off the bench but cant see either starting at the mo. would love pards to just chuck em both in and see though . would make my day
toonarmydownsouth
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:47 PM
Comment #49Toontang
I think with everton rooney was down to talent but also evertons lack of funding and the need to rely on youth we seem different in the fact we seem very reluctant to bring our youth on quickly
toonarmydownsouth
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:48 PM
Comment #50Ibiza
Of course everybody knows the bird is the word
Toon Tang
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:48 PM
Comment #51true tads, i reckon they’d do a job for us as well.
give our youth a chance pards … he will be reading this at some point probably
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:49 PM
Comment #52tads…I’m glad you’ve heard that the bird is the word.
Hmmm…I have a feeling this could be the running joke that will eventually see us the most hated figures on the blog 🙂
Toon Tang
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:50 PM
Comment #53have a good ‘en anyways im off to take away
toonarmydownsouth
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:56 PM
Comment #54Ibiza
Hope not sh1t like that really grinds my gears
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:58 PM
Comment #55Tru dat!
Hmmm…have we driven everyone away? Really didn’t take much.
Mister Tuff
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:03 PM
Comment #56Ibiza you pose the question about priorities -do we go all out to win the EL or just maintain a mid table position.
As a supported I would say go for both.However the reality I suspect will be as follows:-
We do not have the squad numbers/quality to excel in both competitions -meaning success in one will be to the detriment of the other. I am sure the prize money for getting a couple of places higher up the PL would be equivalent to the prize money in the EL.
Winning some silverware at the cost of finishing lower down the PL will not attract more potential players (good quality) to Newcastle, the converse I suspect would be true ie finishing higher up the league -thus more potential to get or progress to getting a CL spot would.
I therefore suspect that Newcatle would see the priority as finishing higher up the PL -if they had to choose.
I once had a vision of seeing a Newcastle super team – Krul, Colo, Santon, Cabaye, Benny, Tiote,Ba Cisse all playing with new super imports at SJP. This will not happen, certainly in the immediate future as I have no doubt several of our top players will have departed in the next couple of years.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:09 PM
Comment #57Mister….What I meant to ask is, if we were mid-table, instead of focusing on getting back into EL spots, would the club accept mid-table (without much effort being needed – in theory) and pushing for the EL.
Personally, I agree with you. To attract good quality players, they will want to see a team competing in their league. Plus, cups are just too risky to hang your hopes on. One bad game and it’s goodnight.
We should always be going for all competitions, but as you say, reality is we can’t reasonably do that. For me, PL should always be the top priority.
Was more interested to see what everyone’s thought’s were, as qualification, without wanting to jinx anything, is looking really good.
As for players leaving, I’ll worry about that as and when and just enjoy them being here for now and hope we do enough to keep them interested.
Graeme
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:26 PM
Comment #58Ibiza @ 57 – I was a very young supporter during the 69 Fairs Cup campaign and loved every second of it, didnt miss a game in those days. If you werent in the Leazes at least 45 mins before kick-off, you couldnt get in!!
Having then been to Wembley twice, losing both times, in woeful circumstances, its time this club took itd head out of its posterior and WON something. It doesnt realy matter what it is, but the FA cup would be awesome – we used to be joint record holder on 6 wins – about 3 generations ago!!
My old man saw us win it 3 times – I would like to see us win another trophy in my lifetime.
Conaldo (The Wizard)
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:28 PM
Comment #59Our scientists have proved that bird is in fact equal to or greater than the word.
Conaldo (The Wizard)
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:33 PM
Comment #60There is no reason we can not win a cup. We have a more than good enough team, it’s just about getting a lucky draw, (not Man U and then would have been Chelsea) and going for it. I would love to see us win a major trophy, ie. FA cup, Europa league, the league. It’s just a matter of time now. If we keep improving/ solidifying our position in the league year on year, we will win something in the next 5-10 years. Definitely.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:36 PM
Comment #61Graeme….Then you’ve certainly seen and experienced a lot more than me. In fact, I’m yet to attend a game at SJP – gutted to say the least.
I think you speak for every toon fan, we’d all love to see the team win some silverware…just love it. Let’s hope it’s not too far away.
Interesting stat that, didn’t know we were once joint record holder in the FA Cup. For now though, I’d just like to be a one off winner, then we can talk about record holding.
Mister Tuff
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:37 PM
Comment #62Ibiza – I think a lot depends on what is happening in Janauary ie if we buy several players who can get straight into the first team. One thing for sure is that after this stage the games will be getting harder and harder, the chaff will have exitted, and the Champion League teams will have entered. Clearly the team Pardew selects now will be vastly different to the teams he selects later in the competition -if he wants to progress. Whilst there is some leeway in the group stages no such leeway will exist in the knockout stages -you’ve got to get it right or your out. So I think at the moment there are too many unknowns to work out what Pardew will do. A better (more informed) guess could probably be made after the January window and what our position in the league is.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:41 PM
Comment #63Wizard…Outrageous. Let me see the proof. Until then, the bird is the word and everyone knows.
As for a trophy in 10 years, that’ll do me, for some of our longer serving fans though it would be nice if they could manage it sooner.
Mister…You’re absolutely right and judgements will need to be made as and when suitable, silly to try now. Out of curiosity, when do the knockout games start, is it February?
jesperfuglsang
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:44 PM
Comment #64‘A-well-a everybody’s heard about the bird
B-b-b-bird, bird, bird, b-bird’s the word
A-well-a bird, bird, bird, the bird is the word
A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word
A-well-a bird, bird, bird, b-bird’s the word
A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word
A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird’s the word
A-well-a bird, bird, bird, b-bird’s the word
A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word
A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird’s the word
A-well-a don’t you know about the bird?
Well, everybody knows that the bird is the word!
A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird’s the word
A-well-a…’
…there you have it ‘the bird is the word’ 😀
Toon_Jock
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:47 PM
Comment #65Well there seems to be an absence of a certain ornithological piece: a headline regarding mass awareness of a certain avian variety on this Blog……
Toon_Jock
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:48 PM
Comment #66Or have you not heard? It was my understanding that everyone had heard…
Graeme
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:48 PM
Comment #67Ibiza – It is also stated that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush!! I’m not sure I could manage two – bushes or not!!! I’m happy to die trying though!!!!
Toon_Jock
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:52 PM
Comment #68OH WELL THE BIRD, BIRD, BIRD, BIRD BIRD IS THE WORD. OH WELL THE BIRD, BIRD, BIRD, BIRD BIRD IS THE WORD. OH WELL THE BIRD, BIRD, BIRD, BIRD BIRD IS THE WORD. OH WELL THE BIRD, BIRD, BIRD, BIRD BIRD IS THE WORD. BRIAN DON’T YOU KNOW ABOUT THE BIRD? WELL PETER IS GOING TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE BIRD. OH WELL THE BIRD, BIRD, BIRD, BIRD BIRD IS THE WORD. OH WELL THE BIRD… SURFINNN BIRD.
jesperfuglsang
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:52 PM
Comment #69Toon_Joock…well ‘the bird’ can mean some many things can it not 😉 Not to speak of ‘the word’! lol
IITianToon
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:52 PM
Comment #70Simmo not on the 20 man party… does that mean he is a definite starter this weekend? Or is it indeed sayonara for him from the Toon.
Mister Tuff
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:53 PM
Comment #71Ibiza -you are correct knockout stages start on 14th February 2013. So I suppose that any January business will have been completed by the start of the knockout stages. I suspect that there will be two distinct emotions prevailent at the end of January -fury as we have not bought anyone or anyone of quality or euphoria due to who we have purchased. My heart hopes for the later -I think Ashley could surprise us again (positively).
toonarmydownsouth
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:55 PM
Comment #72Graeme
Nout worse than wembley heartache remember seeing us get knocked out in 2000 in the semis to chelsea frank lebouf was diving so much even chelsea fans were booing him!!!
Jesper
Thanks for bringing sanity back to the blog some muppets were talking football 😉
Mister tuff
I live in hope that we will see 2-3 decent players arrive in january, hopefully debuchy as im starting to regret buying my debuchy shirt 😉
But we have simmo coming to the end of his contract, ba’s contract and doesnt goslings contract run soon and villa showing intrest?
Have a feeling this will be a roller coaster of a window!!
Wizard
Shouldn’t you be breaking some more news or are you waiting for Ed to catch up?
toonarmydownsouth
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:57 PM
Comment #73Toon jock
Please stop or me and ibizzle will get lynched!!!
toonarmydownsouth
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:58 PM
Comment #74Mister tuff
Is it the 3rd placed group stage teams in the CL that drop into the EL? Be some tough teams heading in to the comp like
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:59 PM
Comment #75Oh good, tads is back. I’m outta here, this bird stuff is going to turn nasty…i can sense it.
Blame tads….he mentioned the word!
You all make some valid points, however google have the answer..
Q: What is the word?
A:
word/w?rd/
Noun:
A single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown…
Verb:
Choose and use particular words in order to say or write (something).
Exclamation:
Used to express agreement: ““That Jay is one dangerous character.” “Word.””.
Synonyms:
noun. speech – vocable – promise
verb. phrase – formulate – couch – verbalize
So, looks like everyone is wrong.
Mister…..I think we can predict that no matter what happens, some people wont be happy. That’s one thing I am happy to place a bet on.
jesperfuglsang
Nov 7, 2012 at 6:00 PM
Comment #76TADS…your welcome 😉
..as they say ‘birds of a feather flock together’ lol
jesperfuglsang
Nov 7, 2012 at 6:01 PM
Comment #77*you’re
toonarmydownsouth
Nov 7, 2012 at 6:01 PM
Comment #78Ibiza
But you mentioned bird! The question is what came first the bird or the word?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 7, 2012 at 6:01 PM
Comment #79tads…It is the 3rd placed teams, you are correct. Not going to be easy.
Conaldo (The Wizard)
Nov 7, 2012 at 6:02 PM
Comment #80Tads – okey if you insist
BREAKING NEWS
NUFC landed in Bruge a couple hours ago
Alan Pardew confirms in his press conference that both Sammy and Shola will start, cabaye is making good progress on his hamstring injury.
Also, Demba Ba has done an interview saying Collo is the best defender he has ever played with or against, and that when he arrived at Newcastle he watched videos of Peter Beardsley an said to hatem “I found someone more skilful than you”.
I’m Conaldo, and that was Wizard News At 6 o’clock (that’s 7 future time)