In the absence of their first choice strikers – most notably Newcastle United captain Michael Owen who is out with a groin strain - Newcastle interim manager, Joe Kinnear, has been forced to take a chance on injury plagued Shola Ameobi.
Up until last Monday evening, the 6ft 4in striker had made just four league starts in his two seasons with Newcastle.
Ameobi never registered in former Newcastle manager, Kevin Keegan’s plans, as he struggled to regain his fitness and form after suffering from a serious hip-injury in the 2006/2007 campaign.
Kinnear selected Ameobi in Monday night’s intimidating home clash with the rising Manchester City. The striker seemed to relish this chance and led the line courageously after the home side were reduced to 10 men 12 minutes in.
Ameobi’s new-found confidence
Ameobi’s equalising goal at St James’ Park just before half-time, reignited the home side’s hopes, and his work rate and drive created several other goal scoring opportunities – he showed a touch of finesse in a beautifully weighted pass to Damien Duff in the 34th minute.
The man-of-the-match was given a standing ovation from the Newcastle crowd when he was substituted late on, who he later thanked on the club’s official website:
“When you get that sort of reception it makes up for all those tough times that I've endured with all the injuries and time out”.The striker has paid tribute to Joe Kinnear as giving him “a lot of self-belief” and reflects that he feels “great, physically and mentally”.
This new-found confidence was reflected again today in Ameobi’s second goal in as many games against derby rivals Sunderland.
Getting the best out of players
Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole’s form has undergone a resurgence this season, after new Brazilian manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has applied his Brazilian attacking philosophy to the English football club.
Cole’s performances have never hit the same heights since joining from Arsenal in 2006. Under former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, the full backs were encouraged to defend and stay back which while providing a good defensive unit (Chelsea won two Premier league titles under Mourinho), did not utilise Cole’s pace and creative vision.
Scolari has achieved this and Cole’s performances this season have drawn praise from Aston Villa manager, Martin O’Neil, who believes Cole “is back playing his very best”.
Joe Kinnear has controversially commented that wayward midfielder, Joey Barton could turn Newcastle’s season around. If Kinnear is able to apply the same man-management skills to Joey Barton as he has to Shola Ameobi, the interim manager might indeed become a permanent fixture.
No comments:
Post a Comment