DCSIMG

Newcastle United’s Gabriel Obertan promises more goals after Blackburn cracker

Newcastle's Gabriel Obertan wants to get on the goal trail.

Newcastle's Gabriel Obertan wants to get on the goal trail.


Published on Saturday 4 February 2012 12:30

GABRIEL Obertan’s confident he can bring more goals to Newcastle after finally opening his United account.

The pacy winger – who hopes to face Aston Villa at St James’s Park tomorrow – came off the bench to seal Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers with an injury-time strike.

Obertan ran half the length of the pitch before beating Paul Robinson with a neat finish.

And the 22-year-old, having admitted he needs to add more of a goal threat to his game, has pledged to work on his finishing in training.

“It was my first goal in the Premier League,” Obertan told the Gazette. “I’m not used to scoring – I get more assists than goals – but it’s a great feeling.

“As an offensive player, it’s always good to score goals.

“I’m going to work on my finishing in training, and I believe I could get a few more this season.

“If I could score five or six a season, it would be great.”

Manager Alan Pardew – who signed Obertan from Manchester United last summer as a replacement for Wayne Routledge – belives the former France Under-21 international finally “bonded” with fans at Ewood Park.

Obertan has come in for criticism from some supporters, and he’s yet to show his best form on home turf.

However, Obertan’s thankful for the backing he has enjoyed since leaving Old Trafford, where he was a fringe player for two years.

“It was great to have them supporting me and singing my name,” he added. “I know they are always behind me, even when it’s been really tough.

“I’d like to thank them for their support – it’s important to me.”

The Blackburn game saw United move up to fifth in the Premier League table ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal.

And a win over Villa would see Newcastle go joint-fourth ahead of Chelsea’s game against champions Manchester United later in the afternoon.

“We talked about it with the gaffer,” said Obertan.

“We knew that the two games against Blackburn and Villa were going to be tough, and really important for the rest of the season.

“We’re at home, and confidence is very high, so if we can enjoy our football at home and beat them, it would be great.

“To be fifth in February is great – if you’d said that at the start of the season, we’d have taken it. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”


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Thursday 24 May 2012

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