Shola Ameobi: “I was frustrated at Newcastle, wasn’t playing football and ended up at Stoke on loan.
“I don’t think it got that far – talking about deals – I just wanted to play football, and that’s where I was coming from.
“It gave me the chance to get a bit of game time. That’s all that was. It was a great time for me.
“I was frustrated here (at Newcastle), not really getting a chance, and I wanted to play football.
“Tony’s done wonders for Stoke.
“To do what he’s done, with the players he had at the time, and the fact that he’s consolidated and pushed them on, is testament to his managerial strengths.
“He knows how to get the best out of the players he brings in, and that’s what you look for in a manager.
“Tony Pulis has definitely got that, and that’s why they’re in the Premier League.
“I was frustrated at Newcastle, wasn’t playing football and ended up at Stoke on loan.
“I don’t think it got that far – talking about deals – I just wanted to play football, and that’s where I was coming from.
“It gave me the chance to get a bit of game time. That’s all that was. It was a great time for me.
“I was frustrated here (at Newcastle), not really getting a chance, and I wanted to play football.
“I played the first couple of games, and then I had a slight hamstring problem, which kept me out.
“Who could forget the promotion
“It took us about an hour to get back into the changing room.
“It was a big thing for them, and it was a great time.
“That gave me a chance to play football, and I’ve got fond memories of my time there.
“It was obviously elation – a bit similar to what we had last season when we won the Championship.
“I’ll go there looking to win the game as a Newcastle player, and all formalities will be left on that white line. Hopefully, we’ll get a victory.
“I’ll look forward to it. Every time I go back I say hi to everyone, but like I said, I’ll go there to get three points as a Newcastle player.
“As a club, we have to go out and fight tooth and nail to get that.
“They’re a good side, especially at home.
“We’ll have to show the character we’ve got, and what we’ve shown away from home this season.”
Footymad are organising a poker competition on MONDAY this week ... with a prize pot of $500. Anyone interested?
FOOTYMAD: We be running the first tournaments on Monday of this week (21st) strting at 8pm, with a view to continuing every fortnight.
The idea is that each site will have a free roll tournament with a prize pot of $500. By making it site-specific we're hoping there will be a bit of friendly banter between regulars to add to the competitive element. If its popular we may well then be able to organise an inter-club tournament between the winners of each club site? A Champions League of Poker so to speak.
All is set for Monday at 8pm.
Bonus Code: Nunited
http://www.partypoker.com/td/wsop_2011/wsop_2011.htm?wm=3289944
Please use the 'Nunited' bonus code in order to register with PartyGaming ready for Monday (can do this from now).
Then on Monday I'll let you know the password so we can get into the private room for NU Mad in time for the 8pm start.
If this works well we hope to do it fortnightly and you could then even arrange a better day/time if you prefer.
Any questions, give me a shout and I'll try to get the answer to you asap.
Kev - the usual address - Kevnumad@fsmail.net