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Post by PONTAFCE on Apr 3, 2008 10:51:42 GMT
Mama Sidibe has shrugged off the prospect of being demoted to a supporting role in Stoke City's final push for promotion in the wake of Shola Ameobi's loan move from Newcastle United.
The Mali striker is struggling to be fit for Monday's televised Championship clash with Crystal Palace as he battles to recover from a hamstring problem.
And with 14-goal Ricardo Fuller back from suspension it could pave the way for the Jamaican to cement a new strike partnership with Ameobi for the rest of the campaign.
Sidibe believes his new team-mate can only boost Stoke's promotion aspirations and his own performance having made 30 league appearances so far this term.
He said: "I've played many games this season and I've started to have hamstring problems. And now with Shola coming in it's another option for the manager (Tony Pulis).
"It may be Ricardo and Shola who play because Ricardo has scored many goals this year, and Shola has great experience from the Premier League which can help us. It's not a problem for me.
"It's something that can make me stronger for the rest of the season."
And Sidibe is relishing the challenge of battling for his first-team place and playing a full part in the season's climax.
He added: "Of course it's a challenge for me and when I get on the pitch I need to do better and try and score.
"From the bench or on the pitch I will give it my best."
Sidibe praised Ameobi, who made his debut against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, and fellow loan striker Jay Bothroyd (from Wolves) for their early contributions to the cause.
But he added: "Me and Ricardo have been playing together for a long time.
"With Shola and Jay we haven't played together with them and there are only five games left to put us together.
"It will not be easy, but we need to do it quickly because there are five important games left and we need to win."
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Post by potter84 on Apr 3, 2008 10:54:20 GMT
As much as i like Big Mama, its gotta be Shola. Not going to spend a lot of money on a Premier League striker & not play him. Fuller & Ameobi from now on with Mama & Bothroyd from bench.
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Post by PONTAFCE on Apr 3, 2008 10:55:59 GMT
Got to agree with you there fuller and shoala look like the to guys for the job.And when we have both mama and bothroyd as back up its still a good strong strike force.
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Post by potter84 on Apr 3, 2008 10:57:22 GMT
& throw in Cresswell & Gallagher (even if he was poor last time he played) not bad back up at all.
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Post by y_oh_y_delilah on Apr 3, 2008 11:00:30 GMT
I personally would have gone with what got us in the top position in the first place. IMHO bringing in players with just 6 matches to go is far too late and isn't fair on the player himself or his team mates.
Not that I don't think Shoala is a good signing, he certainly is, but any important signing like this should have been done in the January window at the latest to give the player time to settle in.
Obviously the starting partnership will be Fuller coupled with Shoala, with mamma held in reserve if we need to revert to 'up and under', but a dangerous game nonetheless.
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Post by PONTAFCE on Apr 3, 2008 11:11:31 GMT
Would pulis even consider 3 upfront?
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Post by **** Pulling Himself Off on Apr 3, 2008 11:13:11 GMT
Mama every time.
Send Shola back.
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Post by potter84 on Apr 3, 2008 11:15:17 GMT
Would pulis even consider 3 upfront? I doubt it. He did at Watford & it didnt work - it where more like 5-4-1. Maybe a 4-3-1-2 would work with Mama just off Fuller & Ameobi but it wont happen 4-4-2/4-4-1-1. |
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Post by PONTAFCE on Apr 3, 2008 11:20:04 GMT
kindersuprise we aint even seen him shine yet so how can you judge him that easy?
Yeah i carnt see it happening myself we dont really want to start changing things around at this part of the season.
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Post by Danstoke82 on Apr 3, 2008 12:13:04 GMT
kindersuprise we aint even seen him shine yet so how can you judge him that easy? Yeah i carnt see it happening myself we dont really want to start changing things around at this part of the season. He's winding you up. Everyone knows that Shola can do a job for us, and if him and Riccy click straight off it could have very good effect, let's just hope they can muster something up, because right now, we need them. |
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Post by PotteringThrough on Apr 3, 2008 12:16:14 GMT
I think Mama does a brilliant job but Shoala can score us a few more goals and right now thats what we need. Hopefully Ricci and Ameobi will hit it off straight away and will also work hard to replace the loss of Mama!
Mama is great to have on the bench as well for the last 20 minutes because against tired legs he will murder them and cause plenty of problems!
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Post by The Toxic Avenger on Apr 3, 2008 12:16:38 GMT
It's not about sentiment or the players who've got us here. It's about getting the job done. I'm a big Mama fan and have defended him to the hilt, but we HAVE to go with Fuller and Ameobi from now on.
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Post by Danstoke82 on Apr 3, 2008 12:19:19 GMT
It's not about sentiment or the players who've got us here. It's about getting the job done. I'm a big Mama fan and have defended him to the hilt, but we HAVE to go with Fuller and Ameobi from now on. Bang on with that one RVD. Mama has been a warrior for us, but we all know, he just isn't scoring. Shola and Riccy on paper are our best threat at scoring goals and making wins. Mama is a true professional, but his time to sit on the bench has come. |
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Post by PONTAFCE on Apr 3, 2008 12:47:28 GMT
Goarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrnnnnn
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Post by garyhackett on Apr 3, 2008 14:51:06 GMT
I wouldnt bet on Pulis starting with with Fuller & Ameobi i reckon Pulis will use Fuller as an explosive sub with Ameobi and Cresswell starting.
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Post by rorymscfc on Apr 3, 2008 15:02:52 GMT
At the back end of last season when Parkin was playing with Fuller, I thought Mama looked much more effective coming off the bench in the second half. Not something that a tired defender would relish I suspect.
RoryM
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 3, 2008 15:10:54 GMT
I think he has to start with Fuller and Ameobi. He has to give this partnership a chance. My slight concern is that Mama is happy to play deeper and do a lot of the donkey work. He's also happy to let Ricci be the star. Shola will probably play up alongside Fuller, more of a conventional 4 4 2, which might leave the front 2 along way from our midfield.
The other factor is the psychology of the whole thing. I think Ricci likes being top dog. This could work in 2 ways: Sparkle or Sulk!
Think Monday night will be absolutely fascinating if these 2 start together. Can't wait!
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Post by garyhackett on Apr 4, 2008 11:44:49 GMT
Looks like i am right about Cresswell and Ameobi starting with Fuller on the bench, cant see Pulis ever dropping Cresswell unfortunately.
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Post by Danstoke82 on Apr 4, 2008 12:25:24 GMT
Well I know he has his critics, but Cresser did score at the weekend and obviously Tone is keeping faith with him and not putting Riccy back in from the start, I sure as heck hope it don't backfire if it is the case. Having Fuller come on though wouldn't be too bad. (r.e. Wolves).
Surely is Cresser's last crack upfront with Riccy back.
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Post by DelapsWankingArm on Apr 4, 2008 13:06:27 GMT
i like the bit were mamma says "when I get on the pitch I need to do better and try and score."  |
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