By Tyne-Talk
November 29 2008

Assistant manager Chris Hughton has played down a rift with Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins after the 24 year old ignored the bench when substituted off in favour of team-mate Mark Viduka in the 64th minute of today's goalless draw against Middlesbrough.

Martins' display of frustration came after he had the best opportunity of scoring in the first half and the decision to take him off also displeased the crowd as he stormed down the tunnel.

However, Hughton is adamant that unlike the situation at Arsenal of late, any issues at the club will be dealt with internally and not for the world to see in the daily press;

"You want nobody to be happy to be taken off. But any issues that way are always dealt with in-house, and that's always the correct way to approach it, always."

It is not the first time Oba has shown his displeasure at being substituted. In March of this year he stormed off the pitch and appeared to ignore Keegan's offer of a handshake after being replaced by Charles N'Zogbia with 10 minutes to go.

Hughton's comments echo those of Keegan's just 9 months ago when he said;

"I haven't got a problem with him (Martins). I wouldn't be happy to fetch a player off and then seeing them doing cartwheels and being pleased to come off.

There is no problem. We won't fight or fall out."

Hughton Plays Down Martins Frustration

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 29/11/2008 19:49

TyneTalk
29/11/2008 19:49

Hughton Plays Down Martins Frustration

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senyabtoon
30/11/2008 07:54

I like Chris he is a very good public speaker and i think a excellent assistant always calm honest and very positive hope he is till with us in some way after we get all sorted

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becksa09
30/11/2008 16:34

what 'they' did to Oba is a disgrace. He played much better than MO yesterday, and has often, yet still comes off. terrible.

This is always going to be the problem with having Owen as skipper, that means you can never bring him off!!

My love affair with Michael Owen may be over people.

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tunyc
01/12/2008 05:26

No need to blame Owen for the club having a hardon to showcase him.

Now why would they do that?

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ToonBart
01/12/2008 09:24

I think i heard granny kinnear rant in the media about not playing owen in midfield which rules out the three striker attack that worked well at the end of last season.

However bobby moncur is always going on about martins should be played in duffs, zogs position which could give us

given
beye collochini bassong some @#$%&
jonas butt zog martins
owen viduka

Dont know what to do with left back anymore. Is there not a kid in reserves who can play there. Could taylor play there. God knows

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Gallowgate Luke
01/12/2008 18:38

Heavens above if Micheal Owen was subsituted!!!!!!!!
That cant happen can it?

I dont blame Oba for getting frustrated.

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tunyc
01/12/2008 20:24

I really do hope we buy Riise in January.

For realz.

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ToonBart
01/12/2008 20:48

Obas wants a three pronged attack.

[www.skysports.com]

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tunyc
01/12/2008 21:29

Wait a minute.

I've never heard Martins speak. But is there not something canned and inauthentic about those quotations?

Quote:

Wor Oba
"I was absolutely gutted at being hauled off, and it was all down to sheer disappointment," Martins told the Evening Chronicle.

Quote:

Wor Oba
"When the three of us were used together as a three-pronged attack last season we had a fair amount of success."

I don't know...it just doesn't read like what I'd expect from Oba.

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MissC
01/12/2008 21:45

Tuny I completely agree!

That sounds like a club statement under his name... if you get me.

Definately not "spoken" like I would expect from him. Sound almost too english a way of speaking....without trying to offend anyone

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Rob-15-92
01/12/2008 22:49

Basically Oba just wants to play but knows Kinnear dont have trhe balls to drop Owen so he thinks. Rather play LW rather than not at all. . .

The Eastenders of football.. Newcastle!

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tunyc
02/12/2008 16:32

That's exactly what I mean, Carys.

This club is starting to turn positively Orwellian...

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