Skirge Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 This is the major problem with international players, he is bound to want to go and we cannot afford to lose him but if we stop him he may want away for good. Grudge match call for Martins Jan 24 2007 By Luke Edwards, The Journal Newcastle United could be in for a difficult discussion with Obafemi Martins as the Nigerian international is wanted by his country for an African grudge match next month. Martins is Newcastle's only fit specialist striker as Shola Ameobi and Michael Owen are both long-term casualties and manager Glenn Roeder can ill afford the risk of losing him to injury given the problems he already has in that department. But that is precisely what could happen when Nigeria take on bitter rivals Ghana in a `friendly' match in London on February 6. In normal circumstances, Newcastle would be tempted to withdraw their £10m summer signing from the squad as the game comes just three days after United's trip to the capital to take on Fulham. But the matter is complicated by the fact the Nigeria Football Association are desperate for their big-name stars to play in the game which has been billed as an unofficial African Nations Cup final, while reports in Africa claim Martins is equally keen to figure in the clash at Brentford's Griffin Park. Ghana are considered to be the dominant force in African football, a tag which does not sit well with the Super Eagles and their supporters, and the friendly promises to be anything but given recent history. "I can tell you that Obafemi Martins is looking forward to playing the match just like (Nwankwo) Kanu and Aiyegbeni (Yakubu)," said an unidentified NFA official yesterday. "They want to prove that all the hype about Ghana's football being on the high side is nothing but a ruse. Obafemi, in particular, wants to score against the Black Stars just as Taye Taiwo is also warming up to score again, as he did in the Nations Cup in Egypt last year, when his solitary goal separated the two sides." Roeder, unlike some former Newcastle managers, has never attempted to stand in the way of a player's international ambitions, but he could certainly do without the forthcoming round of international friendly games. As well as Martins, Roeder will also lose Emre to Turkey, while Kieron Dyer and Scott Parker could both be named in Steve McClaren's England squad for the match against Spain at Old Trafford on February 7. James Milner and Steven Taylor are also likely to receive England Under-21 call-ups. Republic of Ireland internationals Stephen Carr and Damien Duff are likely to be wanted by coach Steve Staunton for their friendly against San Marino on the same night, despite the fact the pair have only just returned from lengthy injury lay-offs on Tyneside. Given the Magpies' bad luck with injuries this season, Roeder will face an anxious wait at the club's training ground to see whether any of his players return with knocks or strains. Meanwhile, Roeder has warned Tottenham Hotspur they would be wasting their time if they bid for Duff during the transfer window. Duff, a £5m signing from Chelsea in the summer, has still not managed to find his best form at United in an injury-disrupted campaign. But Roeder is adamant he is still a pivotal figure at the club. The 27-year-old should be back in contention for a place in the side when Aston Villa arrive at St James's Park next week and his manager is not interested in selling him, even if it is for £2m more than he paid just seven months ago. Roeder said: "We have read the reports of Spurs wanting Damien Duff over the weekend but we have heard nothing from them. In any case, they must know they are wasting their time. "Why would we sign Damien Duff in the close season and then sell him on before that season is over? We are trying to build a good squad here at Newcastle United and Duff is very much part of our plans." Newcastle reserve striker Carl Finnigan has agreed to join Scottish Premier League side Falkirk after failing to make a first-team appearance for the Magpies. The 20-year-old, from Jarrow, scored 56 goals in 102 starts for the second string and is set to sign an 18-month contract with The Bairns. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUFC06 Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 This game is 3 days after the match against Fulham so the important thing is that he will play against them Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest teepee Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 let him go - not much we could or should do. and we will want to keep him happy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belfast Boy Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 If Kanu and Yakubu are also 'looking foward to playing' then it would make more sense to allow him to go, but ask for him just to play a half, rather than falling out with him or the Nigerian FA. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skirge Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 I would let him go it means a lot to him, and if he does play and does well the boost that will give him would be great for us when he does come back. It does look as though they are going to try and talk him out of it though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 Doesn't really make sense to try to stop any players playing for their countries IMO, the effect on motivation would be serious. Best to let him build up some international experience to improve him as a player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eyeball_tickler Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 "an African grudge match" great : thats all we need Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skirge Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 "an African grudge match" great : thats all we need Does seem to suggest a battle of hard and nasty tackles, with any luck he will only get 10 misn and score a goal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 "an African grudge match" great : thats all we need Does seem to suggest a battle of hard and nasty tackles, with any luck he will only get 10 misn and score a goal. With our luck it's more likely that he'll play ten minutes and break both legs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpie Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 Luckily it's only in London!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirkwdavis2001 Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 Legend! how can you even question it; name one manager (other than KK) that has better over the past 20-30 years? when you understand that the club is only just over 100 years old then his contibution has been nothing short of legendary, the day FFS unfairly dismissed SBR was a sad day for Newcastle United.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 Legend! how can you even question it; name one manager (other than KK) that has better over the past 20-30 years? when you understand that the club is only just over 100 years old then his contibution has been nothing short of legendary, the day FFS unfairly dismissed SBR was a sad day for Newcastle United.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toptoon Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 I know that Glenn has to do whats right for the Toon! But if he really wants to go, we could do more long term harm than good trying to stand in his way and possibly create a bad situation. A happy player is more likely to be a loyal player imo so let him g if he wants to. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baggio Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Will Glenn stop Parker and Dyer if they get called up for the England game that week? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontownman Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 With Kanu and Yakubu both being there and it being in London just requesting he plays a half makes sense. I can understand where Glenn is coming from, if it was in Africa fair enough, but it shouldnt be too much worse than an intense training session. Sense should provail, but then again this is Newcastle United we are talking about Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 I don't understand where Glenn is coming from, or indeed any manager pressuring his players into not playing for their national team. When you buy a player you know his nationality, so you should take the chances of missing him sometimes into consideration. A player should be proud to represent their country. I'm sure most of you agree this should be the case for the players representing your own country, so the same should apply whether you're Japanese, Nigerian or Chilean. If a player can't be passionate about playing for their country, surely chances are they will not be passionate playing for their club..? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontownman Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 I agree, like mentioned will he stop parker and dyer playing if picked? On the other hand the above our trying to break into the side and stay there, its an important match for them, Martins will walk into the Nigerian side for the next few years whether he plays or not. Its understandable he wants to protect a player who is vital to our season, we pay good money for him and look after him, like Owen its us that will pay for the treatment if he is injured. For the sake of a meaningless friendly that might harm our season and the player is it worth it? Again that said, its not quite meaningless, so just letting him play a half is pleasing for both parties. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sniffer Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Isn't this just some mickey mouse kick about? I can understand GR not wanting him injured in a meaningless game not even played in Africa before home fans. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmonkey Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 All players should be allowed to play for their country, or not at all. If anything, someone like Owen should be banned from playing for England because of his injury prone nature - one game for England could mean disaster for us since its one more game, that has absolutely no bearing for us, that he could pick up an injury in. Martins missing a few weeks for us, or a month max, is nothing in comparison considering how fit and rarely injured he is. I remember when this arguement cropped up a year ago when we were linked to Meite, and turned him down because he wanted to play in the ANC. A fair few on here were saying it was a disgrace for African players to go off for a month mid season, yet were arguing at the same time that its OK for the likes of Owen to represent England in competitive games or friendlies, and tournaments like the WC. As proved, that was a bollocks arguement and simply a case of one rule for one set of players, another rule for another set of players. As stated, it should be no internationals for all players, or internationals for all and let the African players play in their major continental tournament, mid season or not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieDazzler Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 USA play Mexico like ded soon dont they? :-[ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syrette Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Does Borgetti still play international matches? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoli Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 USA has a couple of friendlies coming up against Mexico (2/7), Ecuador (3/25) and Guatemala (3/28). They played Denmark recently without their European based players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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