Newcastle might not be doing that well (though they are doing better than everyone says, happily mid-table and a few wins off the Uefa race) but one thing they do have to crow about is a number of good strikers. Owen, Martins, Viduka, Smith (at a push) all fighting it out for Big Sam’s affections. So spare a thought for Shola Ameobi, who is never going to get a game unless an injury crisis of Middlesbrough 96/97 proportions hits.
The simple answer would be for him to leave the club and seek games somewhere, anywhere, Middlesbrough. bUt Big Sam is having none of it:
“Shola is going absolutely nowhere.
“He is a very talented player who has an important role to play in the squad. He has been frustrated because he has not really had a chance to show me what he can do, but I know what he is capable of.”
So do we Sam, he is capable of being an OK Premier League striker, but not much more than that. So why not sell to Middlesbrough, who are offering Robert Huth or Chris Riggot as make weights, apparently? Why?