Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

News

Shola Ameobi celebrates new start ‘I’m oblivious to the criticism’

8 years ago
Share

Shola Ameobi signed up with a new club on Friday and within 24 hours he was making his debut and scoring a goal only 20 minutes after joining the action.

After a tortuous few months of failed trials at five different Championship clubs, bottom club Bolton signing the former Newcastle striker produced a lot of negativity from fans of the club (read some of the comments here).

However, Shola Ameobi says that he is oblivious to any criticism and ignores social media, instead believing in his own quality.

At 34 years of age he thinks he still has a few years left, though Bolton fans will no doubt still fear a partnership with Emile Heskey who will turn 38 in January.

Scoring the day before the Sunderland v Newcastle match looked like a positive omen….and even the Bolton News opened their piece with the line ‘From Mackem Slayer to Macron Swayer’ – Macron being the branding of Bolton’s stadium these days.

You can watch Shola Ameobi’s debut goal for Bolton HERE.

Shola Ameobi talking to the Bolton News:

“I’m never on social media, so the criticism is something I’m oblivious to. All I know is the quality I have and what I can bring to the table.

“People have their opinions and they’re allowed them but it’s up to me to present myself the best way I can on a pitch and hopefully turn a few doubters into people who think I’m okay.

“That’s the job of any player in any team. There will always be people lining up to criticise you but as a player you just need to ignore it.”

“I’ve still got a few years left in me, I feel. I know I’m getting on in years but I keep myself really fit.

“It’s more about how you keep your body and do the right things. I have still got the quality to play in this league.

“It was important that I got a club that felt the right fit for me. I didn’t want to just play for any club. I wanted a club that would fit where I am in my career – Bolton does that for me.”

“I was there (Newcastle) a long time and I’ve got a lot of support from there but I’m a Bolton player now and all my energies will go into a great club and helping them to win games and get up that table.

“That’s my full focus and hopefully while doing that I can make a lot of Bolton fans happy with the way I play and the passion I play with. Hopefully that can feed into the rest of the players and we can start winning games.

“The manager asked me how many minutes I could play, I told him my mindset was to play 90 minutes.”

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks