Sibierski Lavishes Praise on Martins

Inter.it
By Nick Raynor
March 13 2007

Newcastle United player Antoine Sibierski has praised Obafemi Martins, hailing him as one of the best strikers in Europe.

Martins scored his 16th goal of the season against AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup last week and will be looking to add to his tally as Newcastle travel to Holland for the second leg.

The Nigerian had a shakey start on Tyneside, but his striking partner, Antoine Sibierski, insists he is over that.

The Frenchman also claims the 22-year-old could become one of the world's best strikers.

Sibierski said:

"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.

"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."