Deano

OBA MARTINS has warned Premier League defences that he is yet to hit top gear ahead of the clash with Bolton Wanderers. The Nigerian hot-shot flashed home his 28th Newcastle United goal at Old Trafford at the weekend and admitted afterwards he was disappointed not to have helped the Magpies to three points against the champions. Martins has endured a summer of torment following the death of his mother back in his native Nigeria which was quickly followed by a knee injury that forced him out of the Mallorca Summer Cup. And while the player is already off the mark after scoring Newcastle’s first Premier League goal of the campaign at Man United, he hinted the best is yet to come after revealing his still isn’t firing on all cylinders. He told the Chronicle: “My knee is getting better all the time so hopefully there is more to come.” Martins led the line for Newcastle at Old Trafford with Damien Duff playing in a supporting role, and although the lone striker position means extra running for the Nigerian he is happy to continue up top alone with Mark Viduka still out and Michael Owen very doubtful. “I played up front at times on my own at Man United,” he said, “but I’m happy to do that because I am helping the team. It’s fine for me.” Former Inter Milan star Martins bagged two against Bolton last term at the Reebok Stadium but has only scored once in 2008 at St James’s Park. That goal came against Reading back in April in a 3-0 win, and even though goalscoring chances may be restricted by the absence of the other two scorers that day in Viduka and Owen, Martins is looking forward to the challenge. He added: “I would not complain about playing up front on my own. I am just happy to play. “It is up to the manager to decide who plays.” Fans chanted Martins’ name throughout the game at Old Trafford, with the player once again performing his famous backflip after opening the scores. Reflecting on the cracking atmosphere generated by the Geordie supporters, he says: “I was happy they were chanting my name. “It’s good to hear, but the aim is to keep them doing that by winning matches. “To get that draw was very important for us. “We can’t complain if we get four points from the first six. It would be a good achievement, but we know we have to keep it up. “We want to win games to keep our fans happy.” I love this guy, i really think he'll have a great season for us this year! oba, obafem, oba, obafem, oba, obafem....OBAFEMI MARTINS

Newcastle striker Michael Owen will be on the bench against Bolton tomorrow after persuading manager Kevin Keegan he is ready to return. The 28-year-old has impressed in training over the last few days after shaking off the after-effects of a bout of mumps and a calf injury, and his name will be on the teamsheet. Steven Taylor has recovered from an ankle problem picked up at Manchester United last Sunday, but Mark Viduka (Achilles) and Claudio Cacapa (hamstring) are still out, while Joey Barton continues his quest for match fitness. Provisional squad: Given, Harper, Beye, N’Zogbia, Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique, Bassong, Edgar, Butt, Geremi, Milner, Duff, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Martins, Smith, Owen. http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-ne...61634-21587271/

Nice one mate!

What a load of dribbling shite! Really, what have I said that's wrong? Soz bud i wasment to quote the article lol

bolded #1: Another lazy journo having a go. What a surprise. bolded #2/3: Anyone seen us linked to these players before? That goian was linked to us and the scum a few weeks ago, as far as the greeks concerned iv never heard of him tbf

You just did haha

You beauty, he looks like a broken man. Whats up Super Sam? No job offers? Nah he's thinkin "So thats how you dont get beat off Man U"

What a load of dribbling shite! Reading that just reafirmed how shit the manUre fans are, at old trafford they quiet as fuck...probably couldnt speak english "Fergies right, your fans are shite"

Hea hea! Yesterday was my 1st away game and i was amazed at how many fans were somewhat negative before the match, me as always was optimistic of a good performance from the boys and hopeful of a good result! And my faith paid off! Yesterday we showed real promising signs that we are a team, a unit, we are united, in the words of ince at weekend, we showed comradery and spirit and looked very solid at the back (apart from LB) and very slick going forward. We passed the ball well, tracked back and harried well, and on the whole we held our own with the best team in england! If we can take that sort of performance, add a few necessary signings we can all be hopefull of a rather pleasing season indeed. Well done lads... "Ee-Aye Ee-Aye Ee-Aye Oh, Up the premier league we go, when we get to europe, this is what we'll sing, we are geordies, super geaordies...KEEGAN IS OUR KING!" ah, the wonder of youth lol my youths fading quickly with every pint haha How old do you think i am like...im no bairn bud!

Yes, he is essentially a centre back but played left back a few times last season...i think he is a good back up player, just may need a littlemore time to adjust. Still would be going for taiwo or warnock though imo. I reckon he'll turn out to be better than Taylor. I dunno about that like, as i see taylor becoming our John Terry i think bassong can become our Gallas Thems some high hopes! Maybe, maybe not

Yes, he is essentially a centre back but played left back a few times last season...i think he is a good back up player, just may need a littlemore time to adjust. Still would be going for taiwo or warnock though imo. I reckon he'll turn out to be better than Taylor. I dunno about that like, as i see taylor becoming our John Terry i think bassong can become our Gallas

Just a precaution id imagine

Yes, he is essentially a centre back but played left back a few times last season...i think he is a good back up player, just may need a littlemore time to adjust. Still would be going for taiwo or warnock though imo.

got to love keegan. he would indeed be nice for starters. if we can somehow chalk up saviola, ashton, tiago and warnock, we're looking at a pretty decent squad all of a sudden. Well yeah but we wont go in for ashton, id like to but we wont, he's got too big of a price on his head and i dont thinkit represents value for money....iirc 15mil was touted about a while ago...and tbf id much rather have saviola, get him on loan and see how he does before splashing daft money about. But tiago and warnock i think are on our radar.

I am encouraged by yesterday but not excited, things are promising but we have to wait and see how we perform against bolton at home which i expect us to up the anti again and how we do at the emirates...then i think it s a good judge on if we can be excited or not.

:scratchchin: He was class!! so to was guthrie anc colo... Spider, Spiderman, Spider, Spiderman He's hea, he's there, he's every fucking where...spiderman, spiderman!

Hea hea! Yesterday was my 1st away game and i was amazed at how many fans were somewhat negative before the match, me as always was optimistic of a good performance from the boys and hopeful of a good result! And my faith paid off! Yesterday we showed real promising signs that we are a team, a unit, we are united, in the words of ince at weekend, we showed comradery and spirit and looked very solid at the back (apart from LB) and very slick going forward. We passed the ball well, tracked back and harried well, and on the whole we held our own with the best team in england! If we can take that sort of performance, add a few necessary signings we can all be hopefull of a rather pleasing season indeed. Well done lads... "Ee-Aye Ee-Aye Ee-Aye Oh, Up the premier league we go, when we get to europe, this is what we'll sing, we are geordies, super geaordies...KEEGAN IS OUR KING!"

But 93% of Toontasticers want a midfielder and striker first. True...but we do need a left back at some point, Zoggy done ok yesterday but only when going forward, on a few occasions he relinquished his defensive resposibilities, and on other occasions didnt look defensivly adept. Warnock, Rakitic, Derdiyok......i mentioned it to ashley in the stands yesterday and he smiled and said "we're trying!"

I agree...he looked like the shay of old yesterday! Very impressed indeedy!

I wouldnt go that far bud, but im optimistic looking at our 1st 10 games...

Is that not just the provisional england squad?

So the season is new and football is fresh in the air once again, we're all eagerly anticipating thmora's game to see how our sides gonna fair this term. I was just wondering what y'all are expecting from the first three months of our season? 10 games in, end october, whats your expectations? Mine is as follows... Man U (A)....Draw* Bolton (H)....Win Arsenal (A)....Loss Hull (H)....Win West Ham (A)....Win* Blackburn (H)....Win Everton (A)....Draw Man City (H)....Win Sunderland (A)...Win WBA (H)....Win *Optimistic With my optimistic realist approach that puts us on 23pts going into November...Some will say its blind optimism but i seriously think it is well within ourselves to achieve the above! Howay th Lads!!

Would like to see it but i think its a load of paper trash...especially from anal!

Well well well the PL is back... Arsenal 1 - 0 WBA...Boring flat game, gunners should of hammered WBA tbh Bolton 3 - 1 Stoke City...Not suprising, if bolton can beat them 3-1 they will get tonked week in week out! Everton 2 - 3 Blackburn...Great game, draw fair result, pleased rovers got 3 point tho West Ham 2 - 1 Wigan...Early brace for ashton, but hammers were poor and struggled after...lucky! Hull City 2 - 1 Fulham...City showed resilience in coming from behind and beat a hard working fulham (Hulls my tip to stay up from 3 promoted teams) Boro 2 - 1 Spurs...Well done boro!!!!!!!! Overall a good day back in business, 2 teams who are seen to be amongst our challengers for top 6 were beaten by what i'd call mediocre sides I know its 1st day and all but if we nick a point at least thmora, in the long run that point is massive when put in perspective!

Boro 2 - 0 Spurs Hahaha fucking big spending spuds!! ahaha