Whilst some strikers lose their way, others like Newcastle’s Shola Ameobi never truly seem to have found it in the first place. A combination of injury problems and a complete lack of form has tarnished his Magpies career and now more than ever it seems that it might be the right time for him to call it a day at St James’ Park.
Firstly, Demba Ba has been their leading man, scoring 15 goals in the Premier League already this season. Contrast that to Ameobi’s one League goal this season and you may well start to wonder where Shola fits into this Newcastle side.
Then there’s Papiss Demba Cisse who just arrived at the club from Freiburg and will surely be in the managers first team plans upon his return from the African Cup of Nations. This will only serve to further squeeze Ameobi out of first team football and I can’t help but wonder if it would be best for him if he starts looking elsewhere for regular game-time.
But that’s not the way Shola sees it. Speaking to Sky Sports he said:
“Cisse is a top player, so, like everyone else, I’m excited. We’ll welcome him with open arms. You would think, in a way, it would disappoint me he has signed but, really, it doesn’t. We have had numerous strikers come in since I have been here. It makes you work harder. When a top player comes in, you know you have to fight harder and do better to get a place, and that can only bode well for the club. I have always seen it that way.”
Shola would have to work incredibly hard to get back into Alan Pardew’s first team plans. From what we’ve seen over the years, do we really think he’s still got that kind of fight left in him? Newcastle are in the privileged position of having a roster of talented strikers and Ameobi just doesn’t seem to fit in.
The thing that has characterised Ameobi over the years hasn’t been a lack of talent, but a lack of effort and application. This combined with injuries has seen him suffer a rather limited career when he should have been a regular feature in the Magpie’s frontline. It’s a sad conclusion to draw, given the time he has spent at the club, but why would you stay when you know there are no opportunities for you? His time is up.
Is it time for Shola to move on? Or has he still got the fight in him needed to succeed?
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Shola will be at the club for years to come.
He is cheap and doesn’t want to go anywhere!
Shola should have moved on years ago. Lacking in strength, energy, courage,vision, first touch many have wondered why he has been allowed to stay so long. Great trainer apparently. So often his performances have been an embarassment to the club. He’s a nice lad though and loves the toon so even I’d let him see out his last year cos nobody else would have him!
Shola is a bag of tricks without a football brain. One would think he should be able to chose the easiest and most effective passes given his experience level. The fact that he also is unable to understand the concept of offside, just tells me that we should get rid.
Lovable bloke though