The Fenham Eusebio has his critics, quite rightly at times, but there are also times where he can be unplayable. Saturday was almost one of those days and I, quite happily, will eat humble pie and give the lad the slice of credit that he deserves.
He is not prolific, far from it in fact, but he has spent a lot of time on the treatment table in the past and has spent his fair share of time stuck behind strikers such as Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy, Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen. Granted the last two never really worked out, but it still limited Shola’s appearances to mainly minutes from the bench.
What we saw on Saturday was the best of Shola Ameobi, but the problem is that we don’t see the best of Shola Ameobi often enough. He can be the most frustrating player at times, but then he’ll pop up with a crucial goal or do something that will make you think ‘hang on, why can’t he do that more often’. Part of the enigma of Ameobi I guess.
Getting back to his role in the 4-1 win over Wolves on Saturday, Shola certainly played with fire in his belly, and Alan Pardew has paid tribute to that today. Speaking tp the Daily Mail, Pardew had this to say about Ameobi:
“He’s as good a striker as I’ve ever worked with. And I’ve worked with a few – Zamora, Tevez, Harewood, Sheringham.”
“A bit of me wanted the fans to show their appreciation. He’s had a career that’s been difficult – sometimes he’s made it difficult for himself – but he’s been outstanding.”
Now I may have just been praising Shola, but to put him in the same bracket as players like Tevez and Sheringham is a bit of a stretch in my opinion.
Shola is both good and bad in equal measure, and it looks as though he will be an important player for us until the end if the season. He’s playing through the inconvenience of having to wear a protective mask at the moment, which is far from ideal according to the player himself:
“Every time I head the ball it is (the mask) hard plastic so it smashes against your face,” said Shola. “When I catch the ball right on the forehead it’s fine. It really hurts when you don’t. But the mask has given me a chance to play and I scored a header, so it’s working. The surgeon wants me to wear it until the end of the season, but I can’t wait to ditch it.”
Hopefully he can continue playing like he did on Saturday from now until the end of the season, but then we’ve said that before how many times? Personally, Shola will always have a place in my heart for his exploits against the Mackems. They fear him, and I like that!
This video just about sums up the good an bad of Shola Ameobi.
So is he as good as the likes of Tevez, Sheringham, even Zamora? Probably not, but in brief moments he can be, and it’s those brief moments that we should all hope that we see more of from now until the end of the season.
All together now…….
You put your left leg in, your left leg out. In out, in out…….
In response to the title, yes,yes he is 😆
Davidtoon4life(Quote)
😆 😆
toonsy(Quote)
April fools day was last week, one swallow doesnt make a summer and although he played well on Saturday he needs to be more consistent, as for the headline if the swap could be aranged i would be delighted.
bobby(Quote)
I don’t think many would disagree with you there Bobby. If anyone does, I would like to hear there argument for not swapping Shola for Tevez in this fantasy scenario 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Nobody, and I mean nobody, is as frustrating as the daft ******. Potential has always been there but he’s only realised half of it.
By the way, morning chaps, long time no contribution. Might find me on here a bit more in the future. Just got a contract up in Edinburgh so I’ll have more time on my hands on an evening.
Site looks like it’s well and truly up and running, so congratulations.
bowburnmag(Quote)
How do Bowburn. We were talking about you the other day wondering where you’d got to. Good to see you around again 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Morning fella, cheers. Just had my head up my backside (not for enjoyment), with work etc. This week will be hectic but I expect to be on a bit more. Catch you in a bit.
bowburnmag(Quote)
Yes and Pardew is as good as Mourinho
Mick G(Quote)
Aye, later Bowburn 🙂
Mick G – He is, in his own mind 😉
toonsy(Quote)
In saying that, nowt wrong with a bit of confidence, but it’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance. I think sometimes Pardew can fall unintentionally the wrong side of the line.
toonsy(Quote)
Every manager that comes along is taken in by him!
Only Keegan recognised what we all see.
A player who has more aggression than a butterfly!
1 good game every 6 is not good enough.
Despite what I say, he has improved over the years cos it used to be 1 in 10.
We all know Tevez is streets ahead of shola in terms of ability and aggression but also Teddy Sheringham was as well in his day.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Bobby Shinton number 9
Posted April 4, 2011 at 9:27 AM
“Every manager that comes along is taken in by him!”
So very very true. But why?
Is it because they’ve had to use them as our megastars have been largely injured or ***** and Shola has always been the backup?
toonsy(Quote)
I think the big news here is that Pardew thinks Harewood is as good as Sherringham was…
blip(Quote)
Or that Harewood is as good as Shola 😯 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Good to see you back again Bowburnmag, you were always one of my fav bloggers.
I am not an Ameobi fan, but credit to him, he probably had the best game I’ve seen him play against Wolves. I must admit I always have a groan when I see he is in the line up. But a lot of managers have thought the world of him, so all I could think was that he must either play a lot better in practice or he talks a good game! He still annoyed me a couple of times on Saturday when there was action right beside him and instead of supporting our player with the ball he did his usual of ‘strolling’ about! He surely deserves his nickname of ‘Strolla Ameobi’. I am desperately hoping we get two really good strikers in come the next transfer window. Because to be honest the back four are quite strong, as is midfield, but to me, our strikers are lacking. Just as well we have enough other players who can also grab some goals for us.
Jill(Quote)
Ha, good point blop
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
I can’t believe we have the 4th or 5th highest goal tally in the league!
Who would have predicted that before the season started !
Incredible really.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Aye and Perch is good as Evra.
Fair enough Shola had one good game, that was his first goal in months. But aye Pardew, he really is just like Tevez…
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Not me Bobby. It’s the one thing I thought we would struggle with.
Mind you, in a weird way, I always feel that we are going to score in every game. I never had that feeling when we went down.
toonsy(Quote)
Jill
Posted April 4, 2011 at 9:39 AM
“Good to see you back again Bowburnmag, you were always one of my fav bloggers.”
😥 😥 😥
toonsy(Quote)
Well, obviously you are also one of my fav bloggers Toonsy 😀 😀 😀
Jill(Quote)
😀 😀 😀
toonsy(Quote)
Hmm, I just noticed the likeness between myself and the smiley emoticon, do you think we could be related? 😀
Jill(Quote)
Hahaha. Possibly. I think some of them look like little Pacman characters 😆
toonsy(Quote)
The eternal Shola debate. I argue the toss with my three lads every game ffs. He’s a model professional, plays for the love of the game (and the toon). i always told all of my lads, my own and those that i coached – love and enjoy the game for what it is – play it with a smile on your face. My prime example used to be Pedro beardsley – but Shola is a prime exponent of that.
All of the managers that we’ve had during his time rated him. They see more than we do – he’s obviously shown his worth over the years. Not many players demonstrate their loyalty to one club.
tattyheed(Quote)
Tattyheed, yes, Shola def seems to love Newcastle, can’t fault him for that…..but maybe he has never gone anywhere else cos no one else wants him! 😉
Jill(Quote)
Ah Jill. You’re just adding more fuel to the Shola debate. We always fall for it 😉
tattyheed(Quote)
He’s like marmite. personally I love it (cos its bad for me) 😎
tattyheed(Quote)
Yep, it’s amazing how much debate Shola can generate. People def seem to love him or hate him, very few are indifferent to him. I must admit i wish I liked him more than I do, cos I always feel bad criticizing one of our players and he def does love Newcastle. It would be nice to think that the last game might be a big turning point for him and that he may finally recognize his potential.
Jill(Quote)
Thing is, Shola would have been at Ipswich now but for a failed medical. He could have been at Stoke as well but for not doing anything during his loan. Yet he remains 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Well, I’m off to bed, it’s after 5am my time. I hate this not being able to sleep malarky! Thanks for the craic and keeping me company. Cheers, Jilly Bean
Jill(Quote)
Take care Jill 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
I recall that Allardyce also did not rate Shola.
The eternal problem with Shola is that you simply can’t rely on him except against the mackems. 😆
I accept that he is a good pro and has never been a pick of bother.
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
Yes- Shola is quality!
NewkieBrown(Quote)
Shola will retire with Newcastle, having about an 70/30 split of the fans against him, yet he will have only ever been with Newcastle on a permanent basis, will have our second highest european goals tally and is as good as Sunderland slayer as there is likely to ever be.
When you look at that – isn’t that pretty much what fans have ever wanted from a striker, lol. He is a unique one, I’ll give him that. I am a Shola fan, he just amuses me.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Strolla as good as Tevez 😆 😆 maybe we should try to swap him 😉
Big Dave(Quote)