Martins pledges to score

Speaking to the Journal Oba Martins reissued utterances that he is going to score a sackful before he heads off to the ANC in 10 days, something he has failed to live up to in the last few weeks following an earlier claim. Martins said:

"I`ve only got two more games left before I go and play for Nigeria and I want to help us win them both. I don`t want to leave Newcastle with the memories of defeats. I just hope we win our next two games, against Manchester City and the FA Cup game against Stoke, and then I can concentrate on trying to help Nigeria win the African Cup.

It`s like a World Cup for us, it is very special and it is something I am looking forward to. But my Newcastle team-mates are also very important and I want to leave my club when they are in a good position."

We did enough in the game against Chelsea to deserve a draw, so it is very difficult to accept that we are going back to Newcastle with nothing. Chelsea do not drop many points at home and they have not lost for more than 70 games here, I think, so a draw would have been a good result for us, especially after we lost at Wigan.

They had a few chances, but so did we. I had a couple in the first half which might have gone in. We are not getting much luck and it`s getting harder and harder to take it. I think everyone on the pitch knew the goal was offside, but the linesman and the referee did not give it. I don`t know why, but we are angry about it.
We have to recover quickly because we play Manchester City in a few days at home and our fans will expect us to win that. I don`t even know if I will be playing in that game, Michael (Owen) is fit again, but I hope I do. It will not be an easy game, but it is one we need to win after two defeats."