The Unlikely Partners In Crime

 

Sibierski: "Everyone in Europe knows about Obafemi Martins - everyone in the world knows about him. He needs to be consistent and to play like he did against AZ in every match and, if he can do that, he will become one of the very best strikers in the world.

"He's already one of the best strikers in Europe, in my opinion, and he has been a great signing. He's on course to score 20 goals in his first season here. That would be a great achievement and it would give him even more confidence.

"Some people were a bit worried at the start of the season but he just needed some time like any player does when he first goes to a new club.

"He's a goalscorer, he can trick anyone and he has great pace. He has to be selfish sometimes but, if the best thing to do is to pass the ball, he passes the ball. We have to use Oba. Michael (Owen) is still injured, Shola (Ameobi) is still injured and I'm not the same striker as Oba, he's more of a striker than me. We have got to play for him.

"He has to score the most goals and it's up to us to help him do that. The best thing we can do whenever we get the ball is to play him in and get him running.

"AZ will be worried about Oba. But I think they were worried about him before the first game because they will have known all about him.

"It's fantastic for the players to have someone like him around us and it can only be good for Newcastle." United have also been buoyed by Emre's return to action in recent days. The Turkish international made his comeback as a substitute against AZ last week and a player troubled by injuries and accusations of racist abuse could have a major role to play in Holland.

"We're all really happy to have Emre back," added Sibierski. "He's a very good player technically and he's a clever guy, an intelligent player. He can give the ball whenever he wants, wherever he wants and we are really pleased to see him back."