ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

Obafemi Martins

Ok, its silly season, were gonna be linked with a million and one players in the coming months, and probably sign someone we haven't even thought about signing. But, it is June and we need something to occupy ourselves for the next 8 weeks.

Sky Sports and his agent are claiming Everton, Villa and Arsenal are targeting Martins. He's 24, Nigerian International (so might be 32... lol). He's got pace and strengh. 28 goals for Newcastle, in 3 seasons, not exactly prolific. However he has had injury concerns and he played in a very poor team. Similar to Yak in that he isn't known for his work-rate.

Clearly he has potential, but would we be able to cope losing him and the Yak for the African Nations? Also, what fee would Newcastle demand? He cost £10million, so I could imagine a fee of around £6-8million. A potential bargain, has ability to become a 20-goal striker, and would give team pace.

Also have a familiar strike partner in the Yak, so could they play together giving option of 4-4-2. Or even wide right, like Henry plays wide left for Barca, with Yak in middle and Pienaar on the left. He certainly has the pace for that position.

Whoever we sign, it necessary to have them in the first week of pre-season training. Yes, Transfer window opens July 1st, but we all know deals will be made before and registration goes through july 1st.
Fran Mitchell, Liverpool Posted 03/06/2009 at 19:06:21

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Brian Hill
1 Posted 04/06/2009 at 05:58:26

More tabloid lies. One comment I would make is that you state he played in a very poor team - have you considered that part of the reason for Newcastle being a very poor team could be Obafemi Martins own performances? I saw several of Newcastle’s games towards the end of the season and Martins finishing was shocking. Hopefully this is the last we hear of this "story".

Peter Bradshaw
2 Posted 04/06/2009 at 07:56:33

I agree with Alan, tabloids lie, but on saying that it looks like Alan Smith is signing for Blackburn, thats a story I would like to believe. Personally I think we can do better and I dont think that a striker is a priority we need wide, pace to compliment Pienaar. I think Adam Johnson from Boro would be a good signing in Moyes mould. But I think that Moyes will bring in Joe Ledley with Victor going the other way and Stephen Hunt has been a fan of them for a long time now. I think there will be a big signing also hopefully Moutinho or even Stephanie M’Bia either will be a great addition. But as we all know Moyes keeps his cards close to his chest and Bill keeps his money firmly in his pocket

Mark Wynne
3 Posted 04/06/2009 at 08:14:47

Fluff to fill the column inches - simple as.

Given the mass exodus that occurs every other January, do we really want to be increasing our African contingent??? As it is, Pienaar, Yak, Yobo and Vic will likely be going on their Angolan field trip in January. Sure we might sign a couple of players before the end of August, but I don’t see our diminuitive squad growing all that much. The ACN will only serve to play Russian roulette with our player’s fitness as it is.

No legs I’m afraid Brian - on both counts: the story and Martins

Mark Wynne
4 Posted 04/06/2009 at 08:26:20

Moutinho? That old chestnut - haha!

Let’s see if we can spin those Moutinho signing rumours out for a third year ;)

Matthew Lovekin
5 Posted 04/06/2009 at 08:23:25

Martins definately has the potential to become a very good striker and could have a good partnership with Yak.

However, if our transfer budget is a rumoured £10-£15m and Martins probably would cost £6-£8m, then I’d be reluctant to spend half our budget on him as a gamble. If we had more money available, then definately, but we don’t.

It would also take our total of African players to five. The AFCON is every two years. Could we handle losing five players at a time, especially three strikers?

Billy Bradshaw
6 Posted 04/06/2009 at 08:32:59

Micheal Johnson from Man City will be one of Moyes first signings, so long as he passes his medical.

Nick Xenos
7 Posted 04/06/2009 at 08:55:06

Now that Bruce has left Wigan, might be a good chance to raid them for the versatile Charles N’Zogbia.

Paul Formby
8 Posted 04/06/2009 at 08:59:57

The last thing we need is another player we lose every two years to the African Nations...

Mark Stone
9 Posted 04/06/2009 at 09:02:21

Billy Bradshaw what are you basing that on?

Lee Rogers
10 Posted 04/06/2009 at 10:04:43

Did anyone say Requelme ?

Alan Clarke
11 Posted 04/06/2009 at 10:05:51

Mark Wynne, can I add a Manny Fernandes rumour to that as well?

Adam Carey
12 Posted 04/06/2009 at 10:12:32

Well, if the highly respected people in-the-know are correct we’ll have a strike force of the Yak, Saha, Owen and Martins! Sky 4 watch out, three of those guys could play 15 games between them next season...
Piss taking aside, Johnson from Man City would be good. Don’t you just love silly season?

Steven Arnott
13 Posted 04/06/2009 at 10:23:07

The Obsever Sport Monthly had an article about the 2010 world cup and it stated that South Africa had missed out on qualifying for the African Nations Cup. Therefore, we won’t be losing Pienaar next January injury permitting.

Kevin Jones
14 Posted 04/06/2009 at 10:24:28

There’s many a story and tale to be spun
Now that the silly season’s begun

My neighbours friend knows somebody who
Works with Leon’s cousin, so it must be true.

We’re definitely signing Owen and Bent
So Some bloke told me who collects next doors rent

Moutinho, Ledley then of course Vagner Love
We’ve already signed all the above

Crouchy and Kranjar Janko and Fanni
Bangoura, Vertonghen, Marcellis, Kuranyi.

Rosina and Delph and some bloke called Chuka
Must admit I’ve never heard of that...............person

All these signing like saviours from heaven,
When next season starts we’ll have a new first eleven

So we might as well sell Arteta and Tim
Lescott and Bainsey there’s no place for him.

Howard and Yobo can pack their bags
So long to Pienaar, Hibbert and Jags

The price so far has reached a cool hundred mill.
Shouldn’t be a problem for Robbie and Bill.

So next time someone tells ya Kaka’s signing tonight.
Take it from me its complete Bullshite.

Billy Bonds
15 Posted 04/06/2009 at 11:06:50

My cousin actually does work with Osman's dad (thats how he got his Cup Final tickets) and apparently the players are always the last to know... so I get no titbits from there.

Seen a lot of links to Obinna though on Everton Forums from people who claim to have their sources in the club!

Brian Law
16 Posted 04/06/2009 at 11:29:20

I like Martins but we can?t afford to lose another player for over a month to the African Nations. That would be Yak, Yobo, Martins and Anichebe (if he?s still here).

For that reason, I?m out.

Mark Hill
17 Posted 04/06/2009 at 11:26:50

I would have to say a total no no, to Martins, he is too hot and cold, and we have enough of that here already!! Plus his injury record ain't that great, and again we have enough of that here too!

I personally think we will sign a couple more loans: I think Lars, the right back, will sign on again, and maybe we will sign Castillo. We may sign Owen, which Ii am not sure is the way forward, he wont cost a fee, but his wages frankly scare me!! I do think we will need another midfield player, to improve what is there already.

Having said that, do you think we might sell anyone? We haven?t sold many players for a good while really, apart from McFadden... good decision that, wouldn?t you say?

I am suprised we don?t scour the South American market for the odd lump of coal?

Mark Hill
18 Posted 04/06/2009 at 11:33:45

In addition to the above, it's all academic really, all of Moyes signings in recent years have come out of the blue, pretty much, Fellaini, Saha & Lescott to name but three. I suspect that any new signings we won't really know about them until they appear on the OS with the blue shirt and the cheesy grin!

Chris Fisher
19 Posted 04/06/2009 at 12:07:51

He takes a proper shit penalty.

Paul O'Hanlon
20 Posted 04/06/2009 at 12:38:13

Kevin Jones... genius

Brett Bradshaw
21 Posted 04/06/2009 at 12:40:36

If anyone comes from Newcastle I would want Alan Smith. He obviously has talent (ex ManU), kept his head down despite all the pricks around him, and he is hard working. He can play a few different positions and could probably get him for 2m.

Worth a sqaud player anyway!

Nick Murray
22 Posted 04/06/2009 at 12:35:34

Great post Kevin Jones!! Spot on....

I hope to God Moyes stays away from ANY of those jokers that played for Newcastle. I saw a lot of their games cos my best mate supports em (he is still drunk and depressed) and they ALL absolute wasters. Steer well clear

Kevin Gillen
23 Posted 04/06/2009 at 13:01:07

Bravo Kevin Jones!! Get used to it - a few loans apart we ain’t signing anyone. Martins - can’t see it, he’s very direct and greedy and we’re trying to build a passing team. Neither he nor Owen can hold the ball up so I can’t see either of them coming. I agree with Peter Bradshaw. The need is for more creativity out wide. What I wouldn’t rule out is another loan period for Jo as I think Man City will cut their losses on him. He could turn out to be rather good for us. N’Zogbia, Gutierrez or Duff are good wide players but I will just be happy with hanging on to our best players and keeping them fit after last Summer’s transfer debacle.

Ben Jones
24 Posted 04/06/2009 at 14:14:38

I think he’s a good player, and would be a good addition because this team is crying out for pace. Could play on the wing and up front... could be a very useful addition. The only thing is his signing should not be a priority.. we need wingers. And I wouldn’t pay any more than 5 million for him either... but it seems to be a bit more than tabloid transfer rumours, at least the agent has (apparently) said we’re interested.

I love silly season! So unpredictable and mostly a load of rubbish!

Paul Formby
25 Posted 04/06/2009 at 14:32:19

This really is silly season now.
Alan Clarke says there are rumours of Manny Fernandes again ??????
FFS The guys got a broken leg.

Mark Wynne
26 Posted 04/06/2009 at 16:08:20

This really is silly season now.
Alan Clarke says there are rumours of Manny Fernandes again ??????
FFS The guys got a broken leg.

Oh dear, someone skipped the thread.

Phil Watson
27 Posted 04/06/2009 at 12:01:36

Apparently United are prepared to let Darron Gibson go. This kid is exactly what we need ? a tough tackling, with ability on the ball, British central midfielder, he has class written all over him.

I'm sure Moyes and co could help realise his potential...

Billy Bradshaw
28 Posted 04/06/2009 at 20:13:00

Mark, I am basing it on the fact that Moyes tried to get him 2 seasons ago and now City have numerous alternatives in centre mid, he IS trying to get him now.

Micky Norman
29 Posted 04/06/2009 at 20:09:35

My dad had a carpet fitted by a guy whose wife uses the same hairdresser as a woman who lives two doors away from a bloke who cleans out the stables at Jenny Seagrave’s sister’s house. Apparently we’re skint -and that came straight from the horse’s mouth.

Shaun McGee
30 Posted 04/06/2009 at 23:33:53

Apparently United are prepared to let Darron Gibson go. This kid is exactly what we need ? a tough tackling, with ability on the ball, British central midfielder, he has class written all over him....

Ah phil, I've watched Darren several times this year for Ireland and he at best is average. He tackles and runs around but is very limited but does score the odd cracker. Still not good enough if we want to improve our midfield.

Simon Kirwan
31 Posted 05/06/2009 at 02:00:13

What about Boro's English winger Adam Johnson? He?s young, direct and exciting and quite pacey as well ? £4million would be well worth a punt.

Hugh Murphy
32 Posted 05/06/2009 at 12:06:53

Gibson! This is getting ridiculous, he’s hardly played for utd past 2 yrs. Although Darren Fletcher would’ve been some signing if we managed to get him last summer.

BTW Gibson isn’t british

Anthony Doran
33 Posted 05/06/2009 at 14:34:24

Kevin Doyle at reading for a few million??

Fran Mitchell
34 Posted 05/06/2009 at 14:41:26

Hugh Murphy:

I remember us being linked with the Fletch. 80% of people on here were saying NONONO, he’s a shite man u reject, we should be after Manny Fernandes.

I always believed he would have been a cracking signing. It was only injury when he was 19/20 that slowed his development, before then man u officals were raving about him

How people can be wrong, Fletch is exactly the sort of player our midfield needs, not Moutinho. We have Fellaini who will develop into a top quality box to box midfielder, Arteta as the creative spark, we need hard working, strong ball winning midfielder, with decent passing ability. Shame he is now universally rated very highly.

Liam Scott
35 Posted 05/06/2009 at 16:12:31

Chris Fisher- HAHAHAHHAAHHA! i Just got what you meant! Worst penalty Ever!