The Shola Ameobi thread

[Lenny]

He really isn't getting the credit he deserves from the last few games.

 

I am not in anyway trying to say he is a brilliant player, but credit where credit is due, he's played well the last few games. If someone plays well in a game, they deserve to keep their place in the next, and he has done.

[Guest sondre]

We can never fault his effort, but fkn hell man I bet if stats were checked he gives away more free kicks than any other player in the league.

Its not refs being harsh its Shola just being so fkn clueless when challenging for the ball, will be dropped when Owen is back anyway.

He's up there, being a monster for us in the air, battling every high ball. When he does that, of course he will give away free kicks, but the ball would have been lost anyway if he hadn't been there fighting for it!

[Ronaldo]

We can never fault his effort, but fkn hell man I bet if stats were checked he gives away more free kicks than any other player in the league.

Its not refs being harsh its Shola just being so fkn clueless when challenging for the ball, will be dropped when Owen is back anyway.

He's up there, being a monster for us in the air, battling every high ball. When he does that, of course he will give away free kicks, but the ball would have been lost anyway if he hadn't been there fighting for it!

 

a monster in the air? Shola?

[Yorkie]

Shola's been one of our best players in the first halfs of the last three games; winning headers, beating players, making nice turns and passes. In the second halfs he's been one of the absolute worst.

 

I'd keep him in the starting line-up for Villa, but take him off as soon as he starts to tire (50-60 mins). Otherwise it's like playing with ten men.

[Guest sondre]

We can never fault his effort, but fkn hell man I bet if stats were checked he gives away more free kicks than any other player in the league.

Its not refs being harsh its Shola just being so fkn clueless when challenging for the ball, will be dropped when Owen is back anyway.

He's up there, being a monster for us in the air, battling every high ball. When he does that, of course he will give away free kicks, but the ball would have been lost anyway if he hadn't been there fighting for it!

 

a monster in the air? Shola?

Yes, just look at how the defenders hate playing against him, like the way he muscled out Dunne so many times in the City-match. I'm not posting him as a new Duncan in the air( ) but for gods sake, give him some credit!

[Yorkie]

We can never fault his effort, but fkn hell man I bet if stats were checked he gives away more free kicks than any other player in the league.

Its not refs being harsh its Shola just being so fkn clueless when challenging for the ball, will be dropped when Owen is back anyway.

He's up there, being a monster for us in the air, battling every high ball. When he does that, of course he will give away free kicks, but the ball would have been lost anyway if he hadn't been there fighting for it!

 

a monster in the air? Shola?

 

Tbf, he's got a head like a 50p but he was pwning Donk and the other guy throughout the entire first half. (aerially)

[afar]

Unbelievable, the guy has turned himself around, he's been 1000% better in the last 3 games than he had been. I'm not saying he's been a world beater but his performances have improved vastly on the crap he was producing before. Yet he still gets stick. This is the trouble with a lot of NUFC fans, especially on this board, they have their pre-conceived notions of players, managers etc but will not change them despite any evidence to the countary. These players can do no right in their book.

 

TBH I think Shola is becoming increasingly pivtol to the way Kinnear wants to play, I'm not saying he wants to play long ball, but he certainly seems to want a big man up front who can ruffle some feathers and at the moment Shola's doing a pretty decent job of that.

 

I for one am very thankful for his 2 goals and winning a penalty in his last 3 games, don't think we could have expected more of the lad, like I said he's not a world beater.

[Nobody]

I'm really wondering if people are seeing the same Shola as I am. Do you lot not see the countless of silly free kicks he gives away, the stupid offsides, the horrible control and first touch and a complete inability to shoot (even his goal was a miss kick)?

[Dogmatix]

Miller can on as a sub for them last night and looked 100% better than Shola.

Miller is far from being a class act, but at least he looked interested. He put the effort in, and has a bit of speed and aggression and a little bit of ability.

Would The Stroller be able to score the goal that Miller did ? I dont think so.

(Wonder if They would swap )

[TRon]

I'm really wondering if people are seeing the same Shola as I am. Do you lot not see the countless of silly free kicks he gives away, the stupid offsides, the horrible control and first touch and a complete inability to shoot (even his goal was a miss kick)?

 

Yes but I also see him roughing up defenders, winning some aerial battles, showing some nifty footwork and passing, scoring two goals and winning a pen. That's the Shola package good and bad.

[Guest dover]

I'm really wondering if people are seeing the same Shola as I am. Do you lot not see the countless of silly free kicks he gives away, the stupid offsides, the horrible control and first touch and a complete inability to shoot (even his goal was a miss kick)?

 

Totally agree 

[afar]

I'm really wondering if people are seeing the same Shola as I am. Do you lot not see the countless of silly free kicks he gives away, the stupid offsides, the horrible control and first touch and a complete inability to shoot (even his goal was a miss kick)?

 

Yes but I also see him roughing up defenders, winning some aerial battles, showing some nifty footwork and passing, scoring two goals and winning a pen. That's the Shola package good and bad.

 

Wow Tron's back to talking some sense, good to see it. Of course the haters like to highlight the bad and dismiss the good.

[bealios]

Miller can on as a sub for them last night and looked 100% better than Shola.

Miller is far from being a class act, but at least he looked interested. He put the effort in, and has a bit of speed and aggression and a little bit of ability.

Would The Stroller be able to score the goal that Miller did ? I dont think so.

(Wonder if They would swap )

 

No he didn't. Most of what he did was pretty average, and apart from his goal which I agree he took very well, he never looked threatening and never created a chance for anyone else.

[Heron]

Ameobi was the better of our 2 strikers last night for the 3rd consecutive game.

[Guest Howaythetoon]

Played well last night I thought, impressive in the air and used his strength well, usual sloppy control and hesitation but he did his job well enough. Had Martins had something between his ears we'd have scored more goals as he constantly misread Shola's knockdowns. The time he didn't and actually got through, the 'keeper saved his shot. There was several moments of play like that which Martins failed to spot.

[Mick]

Played well last night I thought, impressive in the air and used his strength well, usual sloppy control and hesitation but he did his job well enough. Had Martins had something between his ears we'd have scored more goals as he constantly misread Shola's knockdowns. The time he didn't and actually got through, the 'keeper saved his shot. There was several moments of play like that which Martins failed to spot.

 

Shola is anything but impressive in the air, he gets his head up and the ball just bounces off in any direction.  As for his knockdowns, I'd hold out more hope of getting 6 numbers on the lottery than I would at guessing 6 times where the ball would go after coming in to contact with his head.

[Skeletor]

Played well last night I thought, impressive in the air and used his strength well, usual sloppy control and hesitation but he did his job well enough. Had Martins had something between his ears we'd have scored more goals as he constantly misread Shola's knockdowns. The time he didn't and actually got through, the 'keeper saved his shot. There was several moments of play like that which Martins failed to spot.

 

He'd need psychic powers to read Ameobi's knock ons as he just gets his head to them and doesn't care where they go.

[TRon]

Played well last night I thought, impressive in the air and used his strength well, usual sloppy control and hesitation but he did his job well enough. Had Martins had something between his ears we'd have scored more goals as he constantly misread Shola's knockdowns. The time he didn't and actually got through, the 'keeper saved his shot. There was several moments of play like that which Martins failed to spot.

 

Shola is anything but impressive in the air, he gets his head up and the ball just bounces off in any direction.  As for his knockdowns, I'd hold out more hope of getting 6 numbers on the lottery than I would at guessing 6 times where the ball would go after coming in to contact with his head.

 

Absolutely. I'm amazed how many people keep harping about picking up Shola's flick ons as if anyone has a clue which way they'll skew off the top of his head.

[olliemort]

He gives away so many stupid  needless free kicks which fucks us up when we are gathering momentum.Also I agree with some of ye who say he doesnt direct his headers.He doesnt even attempt to direct his headers,he just jumps up in the air and lets it hit off his head

[Tachikoma]

Unbelievable, the guy has turned himself around, he's been 1000% better in the last 3 games than he had been. I'm not saying he's been a world beater but his performances have improved vastly on the crap he was producing before. Yet he still gets stick. This is the trouble with a lot of NUFC fans, especially on this board, they have their pre-conceived notions of players, managers etc but will not change them despite any evidence to the countary. These players can do no right in their book.

 

TBH I think Shola is becoming increasingly pivtol to the way Kinnear wants to play, I'm not saying he wants to play long ball, but he certainly seems to want a big man up front who can ruffle some feathers and at the moment Shola's doing a pretty decent job of that.

 

I for one am very thankful for his 2 goals and winning a penalty in his last 3 games, don't think we could have expected more of the lad, like I said he's not a world beater.

 

Nail on head.

 

Played well last night I thought, impressive in the air and used his strength well, usual sloppy control and hesitation but he did his job well enough. Had Martins had something between his ears we'd have scored more goals as he constantly misread Shola's knockdowns. The time he didn't and actually got through, the 'keeper saved his shot. There was several moments of play like that which Martins failed to spot.

 

He'd need psychic powers to read Ameobi's knock ons as he just gets his head to them and doesn't care where they go.

 

Precog you mean

[Guest Heneage]

I thank him for his 2 goals. But sorry no new contract for me.

[Heron]

It never fails to amaze me how critical people are of our Strikers and Defenders, but never our Midfield. If we had a decent midfield we would be in a far better position. This will tell when the likes of Barton, Jonas and the likes get fully fit again....

 

The likes of Geremi who is past it in our starting line up is the problem, not that I think he is dreadful but he isn't good enough. Everyone always overlooks are midfield though, always have done, probably always will.

[Ronaldo]

It never fails to amaze me how critical people are of our Strikers and Defenders, but never our Midfield. If we had a decent midfield we would be in a far better position. This will tell when the likes of Barton, Jonas and the likes get fully fit again....

 

The likes of Geremi who is past it in our starting line up is the problem, not that I think he is dreadful but he isn't good enough. Everyone always overlooks are midfield though, always have done, probably always will.

 

the likes of Parker, Bowyer, Faye and now Butt have all had their fair share of abuse tbh. Guthrie's starting to get it

[LooneyToonArmy]

Ameobi thanks Kinnear for saving his career

 

SHOLA AMEOBI has thanked interim manager Joe Kinnear for salvaging his career with Newcastle United.

 

The 27-year-old striker is enjoying a new lease of life in a black-and-white shirt as the early season jeers have now changed to cheers.

 

And Ameobi puts it down to the fact that Kinnear has restored his self-belief.

 

Certainly, while Joey Barton hogged all the headlines yesterday after Tuesday night’s win over West Bromwich Albion, the part played by Ameobi cannot be over-estimated.

 

It was Ameobi who won Barton the chance to knock in that penalty – and this after scoring in United’s previous two games against Sunderland at The Stadium of Light and against Manchester City in the previous home game.

 

And, with Mark Viduka not expected to be back until the turn of the year because of the problems the Aussie international is having with his Achilles tendon injury, United need Ameobi to take the weight off the likes of Obafemi Martins and, when he is fit, Michael Owen.

 

As he began his preparations for Monday’s game with Aston Villa at St James’s Park, and after a well-earned day off yesterday, Ameobi told me today: “Joe’s come in and put self-belief back into my game and really put my career back on track.

 

“And I have to say it’s great for me to be back out there working hard and playing well.

 

“I admire what Joe’s done, not just for me, but for the whole squad. He’s just come in and said ‘regardless of what’s gone on, we have to just fight and be a team’, and that’s certainly what we’ve done.

 

“We’ve got to keep doing it if we’re to get ourselves out of the position we’re in.

 

“He’s shown that belief in me, and it’s great for me personally.”

 

Kinnear soon made it clear that he liked a lot of what he saw in Ameobi when he said that he reminded him of John Fashanu.

 

Glenn Roeder was the last United manager to get the best out of Ameobi, and the current Norwich boss says that all the striker needs is someone who believes in him – and Kinnear certainly does that.

 

Roeder was just one of several Championship managers who tried to lure Ameobi away from Tyneside in the close season when the player’s St James’s Park career, which started back in 2000, was at rock bottom.

 

It got even worse when, in virtually his last act as vice-president, Tony Jimenez paid Deportivo La Coruna £5.8m for their Spanish Under-21 striker Xisco.

 

But while Xisco is finding life difficult in the Premier League, Ameobi as gone from strength to strength under Kinnear.

 

And it’s a far cry from the day Ameobi came on as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers as recently as the end of last month – and was booed by some United supporters.

[Guest Heneage]

We can't offer him a new contract if we do we are mental. We need new players. Im sick of being near the bottom.