It became quite clear by the time Ameobi hit his 24th birthday that his potential had been overrated and lost in the wash, his legs still remain as gangly as ever.
However I must admit he does offer the side an ‘X’ factor in that he may run riot with his physical presence but more often than not, he is a gamble and
nothing more than a contingency plan to Demba Ba.
Peter Lovenkrands, Leon Best, Nile Ranger and Xisco were the only
remaining forwards on the club’s payroll before yesterday’s signing of Papiss
Demba Cisse from Bundesliga outfit Freiburg.
The point being that even a rocket scientist could
tell you that excluding our Senegalese front two, the rest are not talented enough
to wear the Premier League lion on their sleeve.
Lovenkrands – The Danish hitman was signed on a 6-month deal
after a successful trial period back in January 2009, only to find himself
surplus to requirements at the end of that contract. However due to a lack of
both striking options and time in the following transfer window (no surprise there) the
red-faced Toon hierarchy reverted their initial decision and strangely offered him nothing less than a three-year
contract.
Best – A surprise signing given that the 25 year-old had never
scored more than ten goals per season in the divisions below the Premier League. I
assume that he can only have been acquired as nothing more than a stock player
but the offering of his long contract may dint my theory.
Ranger – This young man has more notches on his rap sheet than
his goal scoring chart. Late cameo roles have shown raw talent and promising
physical attributes but likewise to the ongoing revelations that surround Toon
target Ravel Morrison, the baggage he carries probably outweighs his talent - probably why is he out on loan and publicly excluded from Pardew’s plans.
Xisco – The Spaniard
has spent more time on loan in his home nation than on Tyneside since his arrival and it’s a big surprise to me that more hasn’t been made of his outrageously big
transfer fee (£5.7million) which has seen a return of nothing more than nine
appearances and one goal since 2008! I do wonder about the scouting mechanisms
that club’s employ.
I long to see a clear-out of deadwood in the summer, namely
the above and of course Alan ‘Smudger’ Smith who continues to pick up £50,000
per week until at least this summer.
On the up, we have a potential deadly duo in Demba Ba and
Papiss Demba Cisse but no doubt the football world will be at the ready to
shoot them down but I have faith!
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