Godfrey Oboabona

Never heard of this chap but the bit at the end is interesting.
Pards keeps changing his story and apparently Colo will play in one of the last 4 games now.
In other words probably the last game so he can say goodbye.
There's something fishy about the whole 'Colo is back' affair...


http://www.touchlinetalk.com/newcastle-united-battle-arsenal-for-nigerian/47472/?

Newcastle United are set to dive into the African market in a bid to secure their next defensive signing, according to reports.

The Magpies are optimistic that they can beat Arsenal to the signature of Nigerian international Godfrey Oboabona from Sunshine Stars, the Metro claims.

Rejected

The 23-year-old has already had a trial with the Gunners, and while the club decided against offering him a deal, they have continued to monitor his progress and watch his matches.

However, Newcastle aren’t just facing competition from the Premier League – they have a number of French rivals to deal with.

Both Lille and Rennes have been known to have approached the player, the newspaper claims, who can play at centre-back or in a central midfield role.

Learning from his mistakes

Magpies manager Alan Pardew is keen to add to his defensive options for the 2013/2014 season in order to avoid a repeat of their poor campaign this season, in which a small squad and injuries to key players have taken their toll.

Oboabona is thought to be available for around £1million, however the move could be scuppered by the Home Office as they could face a battle to secure a work permit for the player.

Meanwhile, captain Fabricio Coloccini should play a part in one of the last four fixtures of the season, Alan Pardew confirmed earlier in the week.

 

Sounds alright. Sign him up Alan.

Just don't try to pronounce his surname.

 

1 million? sounds good!

 

A bit too good maybe, you don't get much for £1m these days.

 

So, Colo may play once more before the end of the season, possibly a cameo, to say his goodbyes. This is what l have always thought, ever since he was injured.
What l don't understand is this....

1 does he still wish to leave, it's all gone a bit quiet on that front
2 it has been sometime since his "personal problems" were cited, does he still have them, what has been done to try and solve them ?
3 if he still wishes to leave, who is buying him ? Is he still headed for San Lorenzo ?
4 if we are letting him leave for nothing, why is that ? He still has a contract in place
It all seems really strange to me, that the club took a firm stance and said no you can't leave at this time, then manages without him following injury. Let's him fly all the way to Argentina, good thing for an injury ? Who knows. Then goes quiet and leaves us to presume he still wants to go, and it's a foregone conclusion that we will lose him at the end of the season, but why, l wish the club would confirm what the position is ref Colo. I for one would like to be prepared, even for what some may say is his inevitable departure.

 

The player could get nicknamed BONA.

Well with Loverman away someone has to step into his large Y fronts...

 

We need a new defensive midfield player desperately.

Tiote is just not reliable anymore. Perch is canny, but I think we need better.

Cabaye is not a deep lying CM. Sissoko can play further back, but needs to get forward to do his job.

We need someone that can be a beast in front of the defence and break up play.

 

I'd agree with this. One good DM would mean we could correctly utilize Sissoko and Cabaye so it would effectively be strengthening 3 starting positions in one signing. If only we could keep Colo then we can forget a new defender and could focus on this position along with a striker or two and a winger in the summer strengthening. Still hoping we can pull something off with Aubameyang and Carroll. Apparently we are very keen on Andreas Weimann from Villa for the winger slot. What good, beastly DMs are in our price range at the moment?

 

I'd agree with this. One good DM would mean we could correctly utilize Sissoko and Cabaye so it would effectively be strengthening 3 starting positions in one signing. If only we could keep Colo then we can forget a new defender and could focus on this position along with a striker or two and a winger in the summer strengthening. Still hoping we can pull something off with Aubameyang and Carroll. Apparently we are very keen on Andreas Weimann from Villa for the winger slot. What good, beastly DMs are in our price range at the moment?

 

We need to spend the cash on replacing colo and get a player of colo ability not someone on the cheap with
"Potential" they need to hit the ground running


QUOTE=Albert's Chip Shop;4641915](null)[/QUOTE]

 

Can't see us selling him on the cheap hence the contract issue in January

 

Has anything been said yet confirming Collo is leaving? I'm assuming he is, but wondered if it is official yet.

 

I think he will deffo leave... play the last 20 mins of the last game too.
I can see Colo handing some cash to MA to waive his transfer fee, it won't be a lot but it will be a gesture.

 

I'll give you odds he's here in September.

Which would make the signig a particularly good one - - three first string quality CB's plus a 4th choice with potential

 

I think l remember that San Lorenzo said during their attempt to sign him, that if he did not come, they would have no option but to look elsewhere. I accept that was probably just lame fightingbtalk designed to force the issue, but.. Colo did not go to them last window, so did they sign someone else ?
If they cannot afford him and he has been able to stay on Tyneside since January, it really does make me wonder if he really needs to go at all. If San Lorenzo cannot do a sensible deal with NUFC, who else in Argentina would Colo go to ? Remembering it's not just a case of him wanting a new club, he wants to go home. Is he suggesting he would go home and not play again ? Surely if his situation was that dire, he would have gone back already whether the club sanctioned it or not.
The whole thing doesn't sit right with me. The club ought to clarify the situation so the fans know what's what.
It would be truly unacceptable if at this stage of the season the management did not know what Colo's intentions
are. Unacceptable, but, not impossible if past debacles are anything to judge by.

 

Mind you, that's assuming he knows himself yet. It could till be a work in progress with his wife. The club will need to draw a line at some point though as they need to know who they need to recruit/replace.

 

I think the sensible money is on Colo leaving. However much will depend on his family situ and his willingness to sacrifice his bumper pay packet!

 

Etienne Capoue