Pre Hull: Oba

In a candid interview with the papers ahead of the massive game against Hull, Oba Martins spoke passionately and angrily about our current malaise and vowed to rectify the rotten form that has punctuated our season. The Nigeria international said:

"Yeah, I`m anxious, and not just me, by the way, but all the team. When we came in this morning, everyone was talking about Blackburn winning and what we are going to do. We`ve just got to try and . . . I`m not saying die there [away to Hull] on Saturday, but we just have to do everything to win.

We have all been talking to each other about how important it is not to be relegated and about the Blackburn game. What we have to do is to try and help each other right now. We realise the Blackburn result was bad news for us, it makes it more and more difficult again.

I did not know of Hull. Never heard of them, never been there. I would have no idea where it is on the map — maybe with my satellite navigation. It is quite strange when a side like that comes through the divisions, but that is football.

There are comparisons with Chievo, who were similar. They came up from Serie C and when they first came to Serie A they were playing very well and in seventh position. Now Hull are playing well again, so it is going to be difficult for Newcastle. We must make sure we try our best and try to win. It will not be easy. It is easy to talk, not so easy to play.

Since I have been at Newcastle, it has been difficult, like we are going to be relegated, but I try not to think about it. I came to play football in Newcastle and to enjoy myself as well. I never thought this team could get relegated because there are enough good players. But now we are fourth-bottom and everybody is . . . not scared, because we still have games left, but we look at each other and say to each other, 'Something is not right.` What I mean is that we have not been playing very well and not winning."

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