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From Mackem Slayer to Macron Swayer – Shola Ameobi wasted no time making sure he proves as popular at Bolton as he was on Tyneside.
The former Newcastle striker got a reputation for grabbing goals against the Toon’s arch-enemies Sunderland and by chance it was on the weekend of the North East derby that he scored on debut for Wanderers.
Critics lined up to question Neil Lennon’s wisdom when he brought the 34-year-old Nigeria international to the club on Friday, particularly as just a week earlier he had passed on the opportunity.
But Ameobi produced a performance against Leeds United that suggests he could have plenty to offer the Whites’ survival effort in the Championship.
“I’m never on social media, so the criticism is something I’m oblivious to,” he told The Bolton News. “All I know is the quality I have and what I can bring to the table.
“People have their opinions and they’re allowed them but it’s up to me to present myself the best way I can on a pitch and hopefully turn a few doubters into people who think I’m okay.
“That’s the job of any player in any team. There will always be people lining up to criticise you but as a player you just need to ignore it.”
Ameobi failed to agree a deal with Huddersfield, Sheffield Wednesday, Wolves and Charlton before finally signing with Wanderers until January.
Retirement did not cross his mind despite the string of setbacks, which occurred after his release at Crystal Palace at the end of last season.
“I’ve still got a few years left in me, I feel. I know I’m getting on in years but I keep myself really fit,” Ameobi explained.
“It’s more about how you keep your body and do the right things.
“I have still got the quality to play in this league.
“It was important that I got a club that felt the right fit for me. I didn’t want to just play for any club.
“I wanted a club that would fit where I am in my career – Bolton does that for me.”
Ameobi’s goal, 20 minutes after he had replaced the concussed Gary Madine, was celebrated in Newcastle as well as Bolton.
And the big man admits he has had plenty of well-wishers from back home as he looks to lay down some roots at the Macron.
“I was there a long time and I’ve got a lot of support from there but I’m a Bolton player now and all my energies will go into a great club and helping them to win games and get up that table,” he said.
“That’s my full focus and hopefully while doing that I can make a lot of Bolton fans happy with the way I play and the passion I play with. Hopefully that can feed into the rest of the players and we can start winning games.
“That’s the most important thing now. We have been having good performances but they haven’t materialised into wins. It’s hard when it’s not happening but I know this bunch of players - from being here and training with them three weeks ago - that they have the passion and the quality and hopefully we can get that onto the pitch for 90 minutes and get some results.”
Ameobi had only rejoined Wanderers in training on Friday and few would have expected him to feature for as long as he did against Leeds.
“The manager asked me how many minutes I could play,” he said. “I told him my mindset was to play 90 minutes. I didn’t know the team but that’s the way I come into every game regardless of if I’m starting off the bench or not.
“I really wanted to make an impact so when I saw he was ready to come off I was ready. It’s been a long time since I’ve played a competitive game so I was really excited about it and thankfully I was able to get an opportunity.”
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The former Newcastle striker got a reputation for grabbing goals against the Toon’s arch-enemies Sunderland and by chance it was on the weekend of the North East derby that he scored on debut for Wanderers.
Critics lined up to question Neil Lennon’s wisdom when he brought the 34-year-old Nigeria international to the club on Friday, particularly as just a week earlier he had passed on the opportunity.
But Ameobi produced a performance against Leeds United that suggests he could have plenty to offer the Whites’ survival effort in the Championship.
“I’m never on social media, so the criticism is something I’m oblivious to,” he told The Bolton News. “All I know is the quality I have and what I can bring to the table.
“People have their opinions and they’re allowed them but it’s up to me to present myself the best way I can on a pitch and hopefully turn a few doubters into people who think I’m okay.
“That’s the job of any player in any team. There will always be people lining up to criticise you but as a player you just need to ignore it.”
Ameobi failed to agree a deal with Huddersfield, Sheffield Wednesday, Wolves and Charlton before finally signing with Wanderers until January.
Retirement did not cross his mind despite the string of setbacks, which occurred after his release at Crystal Palace at the end of last season.
“I’ve still got a few years left in me, I feel. I know I’m getting on in years but I keep myself really fit,” Ameobi explained.
“It’s more about how you keep your body and do the right things.
“I have still got the quality to play in this league.
“It was important that I got a club that felt the right fit for me. I didn’t want to just play for any club.
“I wanted a club that would fit where I am in my career – Bolton does that for me.”
Ameobi’s goal, 20 minutes after he had replaced the concussed Gary Madine, was celebrated in Newcastle as well as Bolton.
And the big man admits he has had plenty of well-wishers from back home as he looks to lay down some roots at the Macron.
“I was there a long time and I’ve got a lot of support from there but I’m a Bolton player now and all my energies will go into a great club and helping them to win games and get up that table,” he said.
“That’s my full focus and hopefully while doing that I can make a lot of Bolton fans happy with the way I play and the passion I play with. Hopefully that can feed into the rest of the players and we can start winning games.
“That’s the most important thing now. We have been having good performances but they haven’t materialised into wins. It’s hard when it’s not happening but I know this bunch of players - from being here and training with them three weeks ago - that they have the passion and the quality and hopefully we can get that onto the pitch for 90 minutes and get some results.”
Ameobi had only rejoined Wanderers in training on Friday and few would have expected him to feature for as long as he did against Leeds.
“The manager asked me how many minutes I could play,” he said. “I told him my mindset was to play 90 minutes. I didn’t know the team but that’s the way I come into every game regardless of if I’m starting off the bench or not.
“I really wanted to make an impact so when I saw he was ready to come off I was ready. It’s been a long time since I’ve played a competitive game so I was really excited about it and thankfully I was able to get an opportunity.”
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