Shola Ameobi: “Newcastle’s where I want to play my football, but I’ve always stated I’m not going to stay where I’m not wanted.
“That’s something that’s important to me. I want to feel like a manager wants me around, and I’ve got a chance of playing.
“At times, that hasn’t been the case.
"But for some reason or another things have transpired that those managers have left, and new ones have come in that have wanted me.
“To be honest, there’s been interest most post-seasons, and a lot of times I didn’t want to leave. The Ipswich move that nearly went through was at a time when I didn’t feel I was wanted.
“I wanted to play football, and at the time I was nowhere near that. That’s what drives me more than anything.
“I want to be playing on that pitch and feel involved in the team and the squad. If that’s not the case, I’d feel it was time to move on. As a player, that’s how I’ve always felt.
“I’m a guy that thrives on a manager that wants me around and feels I’m a big part of the team and squad. I do play my best when a manager backs me all the way, and I know I have that here.
“For me, that breeds confidence in my game, and I think you can see that in the way I’m playing, and my life as a whole. When that’s settled, I play my best football.
“Obviously, Newcastle is the team I love and support, and want to play for.
“It’s nights like this that make it worthwhile. At times it’s been frustrating, not playing as much as I’d like, but regardless of that, I have to work as hard as I can and fight my way into that team.
“That’s how I see it. As long as I’m here, I’m going to do that.
“At the time of Sir Bobby, I thought it was a given we’d be in Europe every year.
“It was a great education for me – different styles of football, playing against different teams around Europe – and I loved every minute.
“It was important for me to get that experience, and I know it’s the same for these guys as well.”