Jonathan Obika

[pasty]

I think we can be fairly certain those grumbling that Obika isn't the sort of player we should be aspiring to are the same ones who also professed their deeply underwhelmed emotions at the signings of Ward- who's filled the glaring hole at full back perfectly competently- and Andrews- who came on last week, steadied the side, and contributed towards us coming back from a losing position.

For the love of God, why not give the bloke a chance. Who are we to say someone isn't big time enough for us. Perhaps we should have a register when we sign new players, of those who are happy to be supportive and those who are convinced having never seen someone play that they'll be utterly useless. That way we can all have a good laugh further down the line when one side or the other is proved right.

Agreed. I spoke to mate in the office yesterday who is a Charlton fan, and he called us a very rude name for trying to get him as they are/were trying to get him back there as well. He was well impressed last season.

 

[Albumen]

If Burke, Jones and Oscar think he'll fit I'm behind them. 95% of people on here have no experience of him so its stupid to pre-judge. He could even turn into a good cheap transfer in January as Spurs have bought a new team.
Or he could be rubbish. I'll judge on appearance.

 

[Albumen]

I think we can be fairly certain those grumbling that Obika isn't the sort of player we should be aspiring to are the same ones who also professed their deeply underwhelmed emotions at the signings of Ward- who's filled the glaring hole at full back perfectly competently- and Andrews- who came on last week, steadied the side, and contributed towards us coming back from a losing position.

For the love of God, why not give the bloke a chance. Who are we to say someone isn't big time enough for us. Perhaps we should have a register when we sign new players, of those who are happy to be supportive and those who are convinced having never seen someone play that they'll be utterly useless. That way we can all have a good laugh further down the line when one side or the other is proved right.

bOOM

 

[Gritt23]

If Burke, Jones and Oscar think he'll fit I'm behind them. 95% of people on here have no experience of him so its stupid to pre-judge.

Exactly. Once upon a time we were upset at missing out on Pinamonte, and having to accept this Zamora fella instead.

Let's just wait and see.

 

[Surf's Up]

I think some eyebrows were also raised when a young scrawny player called Peter Ward joined the club from Burton Albion and was given a chance in the first team at an end of season game against Hereford (I think)

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

I think we can be fairly certain those grumbling that Obika isn't the sort of player we should be aspiring to are the same ones who also professed their deeply underwhelmed emotions at the signings of Ward- who's filled the glaring hole at full back perfectly competently- and Andrews- who came on last week, steadied the side, and contributed towards us coming back from a losing position.

For the love of God, why not give the bloke a chance. Who are we to say someone isn't big time enough for us. Perhaps we should have a register when we sign new players, of those who are happy to be supportive and those who are convinced having never seen someone play that they'll be utterly useless. That way we can all have a good laugh further down the line when one side or the other is proved right.

So many truths in that post.

 

[B.W.]

If it is Obika then obviously he deserves support. Does he provide adequate "cover" for Leo? That's the question. It's not just about giving him (Leo) 15 mins rest at the end of the match, he (Obika) may have to step in and cover injury/suspension. I appreciate that players may not fancy coming here to sit on the bench or that clubs may not wish to loan us a player that will not play so I suppose it's a small pool of choice. Tricky isn't it.

Or maybe we should sign someone who can play ALONGSIDE or OFF OF Ulloa? This would be my preference; can Obika do that? Is he good enough to do that? Who knows? But I certainly don't agree with writing him off straight away. Bit underwhelmed tho'; we were talking about Ross M of Dirty Leeds or that type of player, possibly from Spain, not so long ago - would have been ideal IMHO.

 

[B.W.]

Oh, and I was pleased with the earlier signings of Ward et al, but not so sure about this potential one. Check back if you like, so not so sure I agree with Edna's blanket rule that those who were underwhelmed with our previous signings will be underwhelmed with this potential one - just too simplistic.

 

[sydney]

Also- some young players mature later than others. Or might fit better into a different system than they're used to. Perhaps Obika will slot in nicely if/when he's used. I happen to think a young guy who has a bit of pace & athleticism- and enthusiasm- might fit in rather well next to Ulloa if it came down to it.

We've nothing to lose by him coming here, so come on guys, give the lad a prayer and don't write him off before he's even started.

Also consider that all three teams who got promoted last season did so with teams consisting of largely journeymen players, without big reputations. Cardiff had Bellamy, but he was there before, and they didn't sign Frazier Campbell until the end. I imagine plenty of people will struggle to name half the Hull team, while Palace had Zaha, but the rest of their squad was mostly average journeymen (it could even be argued that Murray was one previously, given his lower league history and lack of goals in 2011/12). Certainly no splash-the-cash signings.

On the other hand, Leicester (couple of million on Wood, million on Vardy etc), Forest (Simon Cox, Billy Sharp on loan etc), Blackburn (Jordan Rhodes, Danny Murphy, Kazim-Richards) snapped up the big names and went nowhere.

Worth bearing in mind?

one day you are going to have to let me take you out for dinner........the conversation would no doubt be riveting , i'm convinced the sex would be outstanding......

 

[daveinprague]

I think some eyebrows were also raised when a young scrawny player called Peter Ward joined the club from Burton Albion and was given a chance in the first team at an end of season game against Hereford (I think)

Until he came on in a friendly, had no idea he even existed...just shows you..

 

[BensGrandad]

What the cynics are forgetting is that Spurs have given him a new contract so must see something in him. I would sooner take a chance on a 93 day loan with him than do nothing and rely on what we have who are not injured. We havent got a lot to lose and I would rather we signed a loan player rather than spend money on somebody who proves to be a flop like Harley or many others in the past.

 

[Mellotron]

Or maybe we should sign someone who can play ALONGSIDE or OFF OF Ulloa? This would be my preference; can Obika do that? Is he good enough to do that? Who knows? But I certainly don't agree with writing him off straight away. Bit underwhelmed tho'; we were talking about Ross M of Dirty Leeds or that type of player, possibly from Spain, not so long ago - would have been ideal IMHO.

You're suggesting a total change of tactics and formation - I haven't seen anything to suggest that's what we need to do...?

 

[Guinness Boy]

I think we can be fairly certain those grumbling that Obika isn't the sort of player we should be aspiring to are the same ones who also professed their deeply underwhelmed emotions at the signings of Ward- who's filled the glaring hole at full back perfectly competently- and Andrews- who came on last week, steadied the side, and contributed towards us coming back from a losing position.

I was underwhelmed by Andrews. Partly having seen him play a fair few times but mainly because I don't consider him in the same caliber as Vicente, Bridge and Upson. However have been pleasantly pleased with the little I have seen. Also he was signed at a time when we still needed a left back and striker but had just added a midfielder. All about timing and context. I'd be happy with Obika though.

Also- some young players mature later than others. Or might fit better into a different system than they're used to. Perhaps Obika will slot in nicely if/when he's used. I happen to think a young guy who has a bit of pace & athleticism- and enthusiasm- might fit in rather well next to Ulloa if it came down to it.

We've nothing to lose by him coming here, so come on guys, give the lad a prayer and don't write him off before he's even started.

Also consider that all three teams who got promoted last season did so with teams consisting of largely journeymen players, without big reputations. Cardiff had Bellamy, but he was there before, and they didn't sign Frazier Campbell until the end. I imagine plenty of people will struggle to name half the Hull team, while Palace had Zaha, but the rest of their squad was mostly average journeymen (it could even be argued that Murray was one previously, given his lower league history and lack of goals in 2011/12). Certainly no splash-the-cash signings.

On the other hand, Leicester (couple of million on Wood, million on Vardy etc), Forest (Simon Cox, Billy Sharp on loan etc), Blackburn (Jordan Rhodes, Danny Murphy, Kazim-Richards) snapped up the big names and went nowhere.

Worth bearing in mind?

This however is one of the best posts ever on NSC.

 

[glasfryn]

I think some eyebrows were also raised when a young scrawny player called Peter Ward joined the club from Burton Albion and was given a chance in the first team at an end of season game against Hereford (I think)

I was living in Shrewsbury at the time and caught a local bus down to Hereford and though at the time on the draughty bus I was going to regret this
but was so pleased at seeing the scrawny little man/boy and not long after that moved to chelmsford and that journey was never a pain to see that man weave his magic.
never judge a player for at least 10 full matches and if Oscar has looked at him (Obika) then he will know if he is going to fit the bill or not surely

 

[stss30]

Classic NSC overreaction, we were never going to get someone brilliant in on loan to sit on the bench. Unless you've seen him play several times, instead of writing him off as 'shit' perhaps give him a chance first?

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Classic NSC overreaction, we were never going to get someone brilliant in on loan to sit on the bench. Unless you've seen him play several times, instead of writing him off as 'shit' perhaps give him a chance first?

Quite. Reading the reactions on this thread it's as if we've just splashed £2m on Obika. But surely he's only coming in on loan and likely to warm the bench most of the time, especially if we keep Leo fit which is clearly the preferred option.

I'd rather have a youngster with potential (Spurs clearly think so) who may respond well on loan with us given Oscar Garcia's track record with younger players - rather than some journeyman / so called proven striker (Barn Door Billy comes to mind) who is less open to upping his game and may just as easily underperform.

 

[JCL - the new kid in town]

Or maybe we should sign someone who can play ALONGSIDE or OFF OF Ulloa? This would be my preference; can Obika do that? Is he good enough to do that? Who knows? But I certainly don't agree with writing him off straight away. Bit underwhelmed tho'; we were talking about Ross M of Dirty Leeds or that type of player, possibly from Spain, not so long ago - would have been ideal IMHO.

we (NSC) were talking about Ross M of leeds but were the club considering it? we were also talking about Forlan and other targets out of range

 

[sydney]

I was underwhelmed by Andrews. Partly having seen him play a fair few times but mainly because I don't consider him in the same caliber as Vicente, Bridge and Upson. However have been pleasantly pleased with the little I have seen. Also he was signed at a time when we still needed a left back and striker but had just added a midfielder. All about timing and context. I'd be happy with Obika though.



This however is one of the best posts ever on NSC.

that's what i was trying to say..

 

[Postman Pat]

What the cynics are forgetting is that Spurs have given him a new contract so must see something in him. I would sooner take a chance on a 93 day loan with him than do nothing and rely on what we have who are not injured. We havent got a lot to lose and I would rather we signed a loan player rather than spend money on somebody who proves to be a flop like Harley or many others in the past.

What a lot of people have also missed is that he has been named in their 25 man squad too, and they didn't have to do that as they have 9 other home grown players.

 

[B.W.]

You're suggesting a total change of tactics and formation - I haven't seen anything to suggest that's what we need to do...?

Not really. Playing someone 'in the hole' behind Ulloa. We just don't have anyone who isn't injured to do that. I'm not saying he can't, but can Obika do that?