Article: Gabriel Obertan | Football, Newcastle

Now, this lad was a strange one. Out of nowhere it seemed we had agreed a fee and he was having a medical before signing a 5 year deal. A few questioned the transfer, saying he wasn't up to the job in this league and has looked poor whenever he had played for Manchester United, however there was a few who were willing to give him a fair chance before judging him.

Flick forward a few days, start of the season, opener against Arsenal and he makes the bench. After a pretty one sided first half for Arsenal, despite Newcastle making a few chances for themselves at times were looking good and would probably be in front if it wasn't for solid defending from Steven Taylor and newly appointed captain Fabricio Coloccini. Before the whistle goes, you see Alan Pardew giving instructions to Obertan for what can only be assumed as the second half. As the board went up to signal his substitution, no one knew what to expect from the young French winger, despite being played in the hole behind Ameobi. The game restarts and straight away the one thing that stands out is the lads pace. The Arsenal RB has a clear couple of yards on him whilst chasing a stray ball, yet Obertan sprints past him and gets the ball with ease. From this he makes an intelligent pass to a surging forward Yohan Cabaye who gets dispossessed right after he receives the ball. Further on through the match, Obertan is in a good position in the box, he receives the ball from Cabaye and flicks it behind him in a 1-2 move between them setting up Cabaye. Now, with the sending off, Pardew decides to make the formation more attacking to try and get something out of the game, he puts Obertan on the wing and this is where it went wrong for him in his Black and White Debut. After a few impressive touches and movement for the lad, he quickly drifts out of the game on the wing, failing to track back and help Simpson out. When receiving the ball now he looked to get rid of it as quickly as possible to any player who wanted it. All in all, a mixed Debut, which was expected from a lad who has struggled to get into a strong Manchester United side. Glimpses of brilliance, yet the flaws in the same 45 minutes for a player lacking match sharpness and confidence.

Fast forward a week, the Mackems away. Obertan gets a first start in a 4-5-1, yet again behind the striker. For the majority of the first half, we were on the back foot, we made a few pressing runs, Obertan sprinting up the pitch but not looking completely fit. His pace seemed to lack compared to the previous match, he didn't look as sharp as he did. Something was different. However, as the half came to an end, he seemed to grow more into the game, making some dashing runs down the right, but lacking a final product due to no one being that far up the pitch with him. An awkward first half all in all, nothing really to go on apart from a few runs that never came to any fruition. The second half started much in the same vein for Obertan, very few runs, not really in the game. Down to lack of fitness? Possibly, Bardsley had been matching him for pace, a player when fully fit, he could easily brush past if he wanted to. It wasn't long into this half that Newcastle had finally fought their way back into this game and had scored on a Ryan Taylor free kick from just outside of the box on the left hand side, however, Obertan had still not managed to find a footing in the match. Despite it being a local derby, you would have expected him to have some impact on a gritty game with his pace. Not long after the goal he was replaced by Dan Gosling. It wasn't a great first start for him. Did it come too soon for him? More than likely. A few positives from this game however was his positioning at times. Nothing else really stood out for him other than his lack of being involved overall which was worrying.

Yet again, a week later, another game. This time against Fulham. Going into this game we had won 2 games, 1 at Sunderland and a hard fought 2-1 at Scunthorpe. Obertan starts on the wing in a 4-4-2, his first start at St James' Park in front of the Toon faithful. After previous matches you had every right to decide to write him off and question Pardew's thinking in starting him. However, the Manager's thinking behind this was a good one, starting the lad, giving him confidence that he so clearly lacked at his previous club. The first half hour was a long one, Fulham creating most of the chances, controlling the game from the off. But after this, Newcastle gained a foot hold in the game, Obertan breaking down the wing, getting the ball to players and tracking back. Something he hadn't done in his first 2 appearances. He was supporting Simpson and leaving him less exposed, he looked a lot faster than the previous week, his tackling was really good for a winger. It was yet more positive signs from a signing written off by a few fans. Despite not scoring in the first half, Obertan had been involved in the attacking play for us, getting up and down the wing whenever needed for the team. The second half began as the first ended, Newcastle pressing for the goal that they got from a Cabaye long range shot saved and put straight into the path of Leon Best to open his account this season. After this Fulham started pushing again, Obertan was back defending, however in one move he gained the ball in midfield and went on a run down the left. With the 2 fowards getting into position, Obertan came in on his right foot to pick out a pass, with Ba in a lot of space he places a pin point pass over the defence to an open Ba who crossed it in to give Leon best his second goal of the game. After this there was nothing of note from him, but he was doing a dependable a job, covering Simpson and doing what was needed of him. It was his best game in a Newcastle shirt since his Debut 2 matches ago, looking twice the player he was the previous week in the process.

The point of this you may ask? Pardew could have dropped him after a poor display against a gritty Sunderland who kept him quiet for most of the game. But,he decided to play him against Fulham. A genius move? Questionable, but what you can't question is the confidence it seemed to have gave him. Yes he had a few bad parts to his game against Fulham, but he's a player getting used to this team and trying to gain the confidence he never seemed to have at Manchester. He did a hell of a lot more work against Fulham, more than you could see in his previous 2 games. He seems to be finding his feet here with a run of games. It's not long before he could start being the player managers see but never get to experience because of his confidence. If this happens, we have a truly awesome potential here, he could be one of the bargains of the season, even if it isn't this season. He's still a young lad and has plenty of time to improve, but the game he played against Fulham shows he has the ability at times.

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A picture for good measure.

 

Nice points made but bloody hell it's written weirdly.

 

Partially tiredness and partially because I rushed it. I do apologise.

 

Good article, NOW I'M OFF TO BED

 

Good article! Tried to read it all but just skimmed through most of it. Some good points though, i hope he gets a few goals this season and proves doubters wrong.

 

I actually almost totally agree with your points...great analysis. And of course hope he keeps up with his confidence and keeps on working hard and he'll come through..

 

I think Obertan started vs Fulham due to lack of options. Marveaux obviously isn't anywhere near match fit for the prem so who else was there to play?

 

I'm inclined to agree with this but then realised Pardew didn't even bench him against Scunthorpe - which suggests he was being rested for the Fulham game.

 

Was there a point to this? I think Obertan will be one of those who has a good game one week but you wouldnt know he was on the pitch next game. Inconsistant, but for 3mil a decent buy

 

Well yeah, Pardews options after Barton left were Marveaux / Obertan. Obertan played vs Sunderland, and probably is fitter than Marveaux. So ...naturally Obertan played against Fulham. If Barton was still here he'd have played against Fulham.

... guys, we're desperately short for players on all fronts. Buying randomly now, won't be a quick fix. These players need to fit into the team first, and get fit at the same time. I don't think we should be expecting too much right away from Obertan, Marveaux, or HBA when he returns. None of them has had a decent pre-season (I presume).

The surprising thing right now is us having got 7 points on the board with about 12 full first team players fit enough to be on the pitch. We've kept it tight at the back, and we've done well. Of course we all want to see encouraging signs from our new players, but let's face it, none of them were top signings, players that were in the 1st team of a better club and came to us roaring to go. Same goes for Santon btw. He's been a promising squad player at Inter for years. Don't expect him to come in and be magnificient. If he walks into the team, it's due to lack of options, not playing prowess.

 

Nice article, must admit when I saw him play for Man U I always said he looked ****, fast but couldn't pass the ball, ran into defenders etc. Since he came here he has grown in confidence and that's all some players need.

 

Obertan was highley rated in france and has been brilliant for the under 21's. I think he just needs game time and confidence, once he starts adding a final product he will be quality. At the moment he looks like he doesn't know what to do with the ball, I see him being a real handful when he starts to grow in confidence

 

Laurent Blanc (when in charge of Bordeaux) stated that Obertan always had the potential but had to overcome some 'psychological and mental challenges' in order to progress.

Seems he is a confidence player.

 

Good analysis but an oddly structured article.

Agree with you though

 

tough read, but some good points made

 

I said when we signed he will be great for us.

 

What I was most impressed with him on Saturday was, not only his tracking back, but his willingness to get stuck in. He made 2/3 well timed and strong sliding tackles, which you often don't see from wingers. Obviously he's well drilled, but then again who wouldn't be after a year or so under Feguson.

 

Didn't read most of it but got to say I am liking Obertan lot of pace which Barton didn't have..

 

I think you'll find he made 4 tackles