Sammy Ameobi released

[TRon]

He just is.  Suppose justification is in his ball retention from yesterday when he came on (aside from a couple of typical moments).  Definitely our best second striker / target man at the moment and it's why Pard's uses him so much. 

 

ps, don't think Smith has the mobility or aerial control to do Shola's 'job'.

 

I just used Smith as an example to show that discipline is only part of the equation for forwards, end product has to be factored in as well. Having too many players who do the right things from a defensive point of view like Shola, Jonas and possibly Obertan also reduces our chances of scoring goals as none of them have looked like scoring or providing assists so far this season.

[Ishmael]

Agree that you need a balance, but think Pard's has found it with the players we have fit.  It's actually the main reason why we've racked up a decent points tally so far. 

 

[Guest ObiChrisKenobi]

The one worry I have about Sammy's development is that they beef him up and turn him into your typical forward. That's not his game. Glad Pardews came out and said he's just going to let him develop without the strain of assignments.

[ponsaelius]

The one worry I have about Sammy's development is that they beef him up and turn him into your typical forward. That's not his game. Glad Pardews came out and said he's just going to let him develop without the strain of assignments.

 

Where do you see his natural position ending up?

 

Winger? behind the striker?

[Guest ObiChrisKenobi]

Erm, no idea. Taking what some of us have seen from U18s, he was often used as a LW/LS in a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation. Basically was allowed a freeish role and while it was frustrating to watch at times, he still managed some good performances. I used to think he was lazy at u18 levels, but he hasn't shown that at senior level, so that's a bonus.

 

Not sure he'll be a figurehead striker. The few games he had as ST in the 4-3-3/4-5-1 he didn't seem as good from memory. Going from the 10-15 U18s games over the years; play the ball to his feet, and he'll generally look positive and happy to attack, ask him to chase after it and he'll do so, but half heartidly. Again, he seems to have a lot more energy and determination in the senior games I've seen.

 

Perhaps Second Striker (ala Beardsley?), or a 'modern' Winger (old fashioned inside forward).

 

I just hope they don't force him to spend half of his waking time in the weight room, it'll kill his pace, knock his timings out of sync and probably lead to injuries putting that extra weight on joints that have never had to cope with it before.

[Super Duper Branko Strupar]

Just seen this from a while back, not sure why it cracked me up so much

 

Sammy_Ameobi Samuel Ameobi

“@PurdyChrisPurdy: @Sammy_Ameobi any words of advice for @Gahy16 on his wedding day? #garystewartsweddingday” I'm 19, what do I know?

 

 

[Tiresias]

in that case can see him on the wing in a 4-3-3 ish formation where he'll cut inside but also play quite high up and not need to be running from as deep at Guti might in that position, i.e. when we're bossing midfield anyway and want a lot of goals.

[Sifu]

http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/09/18/family-will-keep-me-right-says-sammy-ameobi-79310-29441532/

 

Family will keep me right says Sammy Ameobi

 

Sep 18 2011 by Mark Douglas, Sunday Sun

 

WHEN the interview is over, Sammy Ameobi springs to his feet – bounding with the energy of a teenager taking his first steps in the Premier League.

 

He reaches for the door and cranks it open, inviting Newcastle’s press officer to exit first with the polite invitation ‘Ladies first’.

 

But then impeccable manners are just one reason why Ameobi Junior, the latest cab off the rank at United’s Benton Academy, is different from your average 18-year-old dipping his toe in the world of professional football.

 

Sammy is barely out of school, but he’s made his top-flight bow, scored his first professional goal and has already become something of a cult hero among supporters who have a long-standing relationship with his older brother Shola.

 

It has been quite a 12 months for the young striker but he remains gracious and humble to a fault.

 

The only difference in attitude or demeanour, those around the training ground reckon, is the virtually permanent smile tattooed to his face since breaking through.

 

“It was a bit less glamorous a year ago and looking back, I can’t believe I’ve made it this far in the space of a year,” he said.

 

“To be playing for Newcastle United – I can’t believe I’ve got this chance. But this is just the beginning, it’s really no more than that.

 

“I can’t believe it but I’m taking nothing for granted, I’ve got such a long way to go. It’s just a start.

 

“How do I manage to do that? Well my family are a very big help and they’re my inspiration really. They keep my feet on the ground and they keep me working hard.

 

“I’m very thankful to them for the way they’ve brought me up. It’s a very humble way and I’m reaping the benefits, I think, of the way they’ve helped to bring me up.

 

“I’m still the boy I was before all of this happened and they tell me I shouldn’t let myself change. The thing they tell me is not to let that happen – they wouldn’t.”

 

Ameobi’s approach is shaped by his background. The product of a deeply religious family, mother Margaret and pastor dad John have imbued a deep faith in both Sammy and Shola, who is 10 years his senior.

 

It is a huge help, he says, in helping him to avoid the pratfalls that have engulfed so many recent graduates of Premier League academies.

 

“My faith is very important to me too. It’s a big part of what I do, it’s a big part of my football too,” he said.

 

“There’s a lot of temptations that come with the territory of playing Premier League football so it’s good to have my faith. I think it keeps me away from some of those negative temptations.

 

“It’s fantastic to have Shola here as well who has a similar background. He helps immensely.”

 

Shola is a constant theme through an engaging chat with United’s latest Academy graduate.

 

For while Sammy was a keen sprinter until the age of “seven or eight”, it wasn’t until he saw big brother Shola stepping out at St James’ Park that he really took up a serious interest in football.

 

Long-standing Toon scout Brian Clark, the man who discovered Shola, encouraged him to join Walker Central and from there it was a short hop to the Academy that had helped develop his older sibling. Clark, Sammy admits, will always be welcome in the Ameobi household.

 

Not that he was allowed to drift at the private, Sunderland-based Christian school Grindon Hall that he attended.

 

“I was all right at school, to be fair,” he said. “I got an A in English, 3 Bs, 6 Cs and one E. That was in French, which I sort of regret now. If I’d known all the French players that Newcastle were going to bring in over the summer I might have stuck at it!”

 

Whatever the language barrier, there remains one friendly face in the dressing room.

 

“I have a lot of respect for Shola. He’s a big, big role model for me – both on and off the field,” he said.

 

“It’s more respect than that usual thing that brothers have. I’ve never fought with Shola once, even when I was younger. But then, have you seen the size of him?!

 

“I look to him for the standards of professionalism. He’s always in early for training, he’s always at a high level in training too. I’m working to be at those same levels - I want to be like him. But a better footballer!

 

“It was a big compliment to say that he thinks I’m better than he was at my age. It builds up my confidence, it’s a great thing to say and he’s such a major inspiration.”

 

Not that supporters should confuse the pair. Long and languid, Shola has plenty in his armoury, but the devastating pace that Sammy possesses marks them apart.

 

“My game is different to Shola’s,” he said. “I want to be a player who can bring a spark to the team when I come on. I want to be able to motivate everyone when I get on the pitch.

 

“The manager is asking me to come on and just run at defenders and I will do that for him. I don’t care who I’m up against – I’ll run against you.”

 

Fearless, but humble. It is a combination that will stand him in good stead as he embarks on this toughest of careers.

 

 

 

[Si]

Nicest man in football? So humble and genuinely happy to be doing what he's doing.

[Tiresias]

“I was all right at school, to be fair,” he said. “I got an A in English, 3 Bs, 6 Cs and one E. That was in French, which I sort of regret now. If I’d known all the French players that Newcastle were going to bring in over the summer I might have stuck at it!”

 

lol

 

“My game is different to Shola’s,” he said. “I want to be a player who can bring a spark to the team when I come on. I want to be able to motivate everyone when I get on the pitch.

 

[Cajun]

Sammy_Ameobi Samuel Ameobi

Just purchased my Nintendo 3DS, so I don't feel left out of the Mario kart madness that goes down on away trips

 

 

Bless him

[BlueStar]

Great to have a local player we can be proud of getting behind.  ie as opposed to Carroll, who we had to cheer on in the knowledge that he was a dick.

[binnsy]

loved this bit from interview....

“I was all right at school, to be fair,” he said. “I got an A in English, 3 Bs, 6 Cs and one E. That was in French, which I sort of regret now. If I’d known all the French players that Newcastle were going to bring in over the summer I might have stuck at it!”

 

Whatever the language barrier, there remains one friendly face in the dressing room.

 

“I have a lot of respect for Shola. He’s a big, big role model for me – both on and off the field,” he said.

 

“It’s more respect than that usual thing that brothers have. I’ve never fought with Shola once, even when I was younger. But then, have you seen the size of him?!

 

“I look to him for the standards of professionalism. He’s always in early for training, he’s always at a high level in training too. I’m working to be at those same levels - I want to be like him. But a better footballer!

 

 

[Cajun]

Love the last 4 worlds.

 

Shola is obviously a model pro though and unreal in training.

[Ketsbaia]

He's fastly becoming one of my favourites, like. Great attitude, humble and has good potential. Funny too!

[johnnypd]

I just hope they don't force him to spend half of his waking time in the weight room, it'll kill his pace, knock his timings out of sync and probably lead to injuries putting that extra weight on joints that have never had to cope with it before.

 

shola was stick thin as well when he first broke though, i think sammy will naturally add some bulk to his frame over the next 4 or 5 years.

[Kanji]

I just hope they don't force him to spend half of his waking time in the weight room, it'll kill his pace, knock his timings out of sync and probably lead to injuries putting that extra weight on joints that have never had to cope with it before.

 

shola was stick thin as well when he first broke though, i think sammy will naturally add some bulk to his frame over the next 4 or 5 years.

 

Shola's added weight and muscle has no doubt completley taken away from some of his unpredictablity and talent from when he first came on, no?

[Ronaldo]

Most certainly has. He looked effective for a period under Roeder, but came back from a long-term injury with at least a stone of extra muscle, and he's never really looked good since. Extremely slow with terrible balance is a nice way of putting it.

 

Must say, I read that article and feel sick about what Malcolm Macdonald said about Sammy in May, the fucking arsehole.

[PENKAAA]

Most certainly has. He looked effective for a period under Roeder, but came back from a long-term injury with at least a stone of extra muscle, and he's never really looked good since. Extremely slow with terrible balance is a nice way of putting it.

 

Must say, I read that article and feel sick about what Malcolm Macdonald said about Sammy in May, the fucking arsehole.

 

What did he say like? 

[Ronaldo]

Before the WBA game he'd seen Sammy smiling on the pitch shortly after he (Macdonald) had seen the teamsheet - which Sammy wasn't on, even as a sub - and offered that his attitude disgusted him and 'typified all that was wrong with the modern game'. In his day young players cared more.

[mrmojorisin75]

Before the WBA game he'd seen Sammy smiling on the pitch shortly after he (Macdonald) had seen the teamsheet - which Sammy wasn't on, even as a sub - and offered that his attitude disgusted him and 'typified all that was wrong with the modern game'. In his day young players cared more.

 

WTF, there a link to that anywhere?

 

18/19 year old professional footballer fails to make matchday squad and caught smiling?

 

should have hung the cunt

[Ronaldo]

Heard it about 30 mins before the game kicked off on the radio.

[TRC]

Sammy is a top lad, he's the player that Ranger should have/could have been here.

[Optimistic Nut]

I love how he was a keen sprinter until 6 or 7. The thought of a seven year old Sammy thinking, 'this isn't the career for me'. 

[johnnypd]

Before the WBA game he'd seen Sammy smiling on the pitch shortly after he (Macdonald) had seen the teamsheet - which Sammy wasn't on, even as a sub - and offered that his attitude disgusted him and 'typified all that was wrong with the modern game'. In his day young players cared more.

 

don't worry. last thing malcolm maconald ever did of note was appear before blaydon magistrates accused of drink driving. piss head cant tell his elbow from his arsehole, never mind sammy from shola.