By Tyne-Talk
March 25 2008

Obafemi Martins has explained why he was so upset after being substituted off against Birmingham & why it brought tears to his eyes. The 23 year old striker was comforted by manager Kevin Keegan after leaving the pitch visibly distraught. It is not the 1st time he has been substituted off in favour of leaving either Viduka or Owen on & the scenario was repeated again last weekend against Fulham.

Martins said: 

"I like the manager, he doesn't mind people showing emotion on the pitch and that is good.

He knows that I wanted to try and win the game and he is happy with that sort of attitude.

We are not angry with each other. I was upset when I had to come off (against Birmingham), I didn't want to go off because I wanted to help the team. I wanted to help us try to win the game.
I felt we were going to get the winner and I was frustrated when I saw that I was going off. There were a few tears because I was frustrated and emotional, nobody likes to be taken off and I'm no different. It was a big game for Newcastle and I was desperate to do something on the pitch which might have got us all three points.

I didn't understand why I was being taken off so I made my feelings known, but the manager was brilliant. He said he understood how I felt, he didn't get angry at me, he just explained why he had done it.

He told me to relax because I had played well and that I'd been taken off because it was a tactical decision, not because he thought I wasn't playing well.

If we carry on playing like we did against Fulham I think the season will have a happy end. We have to stay positive, in our thinking and the way we play our football."

Martins: Upset, Frustrated & Emotional

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 25/03/2008 12:04

TyneTalk
25/03/2008 12:04

Martins: Upset, Frustrated & Emotional

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Joe
25/03/2008 12:43

Nice to hear about his passion.

He really does want to do well for the fans and you can tell he loves us.

I really admire his commitment at times he chases lost causes and its always a joy to see.

He always trys to win headers too...he may only be small be he has the leap of a grasshopper!

He managed to win a header against Brede Hangeland on Saturday and he's 6ft 5!!!

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T00N B0Y
25/03/2008 15:34

Love Martins!

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Gallowgate Luke
25/03/2008 15:51

Oba needs more time on the field without being subbed (are you listening Kevin?).

Martins is a joy to watch and I cant wait for him to bang in another 20 yard screamer

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Omar_786
25/03/2008 17:09

i hope he bangs one in against the spuds


He's The Next Ronaldo (Sir Bob R.I.P)

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tunyc
25/03/2008 17:16

I'm not going on hindsight: it was the wrong substitution. Owen should have been taken off. He had missed three sitters at that point and was shockingly bad in front of goal. Martins was running at defenders and on more than one occasion made a real goal-scoring chance out of nothing.

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