Will Leon Best get the nod ahead of Shola Ameobi?
Posted on March 2nd, 2011 | 33 Comments |
Leon Best has made the most of his opportunity to lead the forward line, having put in 5 goals in 8 league games since his first full start in the 5-0 victory over West Ham.
Opinion seems to be mixed as to whether he has the ability to figure as a first choice striker in the long term, but most would agree that he has improved recently, which is understandable because players need more than occasional games or substitute appearances to find their form.
The bemasked Shola is allegedly in contention for the Everton game this weekend, but will he get the nod over Best?
Well, Alan Pardew clearly rates Best and recently said:
“Leon Best had his best game for us so far against Bolton.
“He didn’t score, but he was terrific.
“His movement was great and that made him better in my eyes than he was against West Ham when he got three.
“If he keeps playing like that then it bodes well for him.
“He got the chances, but more importantly he created some of them himself. I was very pleased with him.”
In reality, in terms of this weekend’s game against Everton, I think Best will retain his starting position if for no other reason than Pardew will probably want to ease Shola back into things gently, most likely starting with a substitute appearance or two.
But what about for the rest of this season?
In the long-term – from the summer and beyond – it could be a moot point because Newcastle may be in the market for a striker or two anyway, but if Best continues to improve he could present the sort of selection headache that Pardew would probably like to have.
Of course there’s no reason why Pardew couldn’t play Ameobi and Best together, dropping Lovenkrands, but what do you think in terms of a direct comparison between Shola Ameobi and Leon Best?
Should Best get the nod over Shola?
if he (best) is on form scoring goals then leave him in the team shola really is better coming on for last half hour or so