Source: Northern_Echo
Magpies get a response
SHOLA AMEOBI believes last Saturdays comeback at the Hawthorns proved the players who have remained at Newcastle United possess the character to rebuild the clubs fortunes.
Newcastle and Stockport County are the only clubs in all four divisions whove not recruited any new players since the end of last season while ten players have quit St James Park during that time.
Jonas Gutierrezs agent has denied the winger is about to join Greek side Olympiakos but the Argentina international is still expected to leave before the transfer window closes on August 31 and the Magpies are ready for the departures of Joey Barton, Jose Enrique and Fabricio Coloccini.
But Ameobi preferred to focus on the players who are staying to fight for the club.
The players that have been left behind have character and we are determined to make the best out of a bad situation, declared the 27-year-old now in his tenth season in the Newcastle first team.
We are going to need plenty of that this season, we have to keep it up. Weve got to be strong and concentrate on what we can do to improve things. Ameobis accidental clash with Steve Harper paved the way for Tim Krul to make an heroic contribution to Saturdays action.
Harper is expected to recover in time for Newcastles home bow against Reading this weekend but Kruls performance suggests that, despite the ongoing exodus, Newcastle possess the resources to mount a promotion assault.
Ameobi remained upbeat about his teams prospects: Everyone wants to see how we are going to react to relegation.
But as players we know we have to stand up and show what we are about on the pitch.
It doesnt matter what else is going on, the only place we can do anything to show people that were not feeling sorry for ourselves is on a match day.
It was tough at times against West Brom because I hadnt really trained, but we havent got many players and we have to dig in out there. Its been a good start, not a great start, but there is something to build on and that is the pleasing thing. Nicky Butt is not expected to feature against the Royals on Saturday as he continues his rehabilitation from a hand injury.
