NEWCASTLE manager Joe Kinnear is planning to show Shola Ameobi how John Fashanu terrorised top-flight defences after comparing the Magpies striker to the former Wimbledon frontman.
The interim Newcastle boss saw his team claim an encouraging 2-2 draw at Everton yesterday and now aims to spend the international fortnight working hard on intensive coaching sessions.
Kinnear has already spotted something of the once-feared Fashanu in Ameobi, the 6ft 2in former England Under-21 striker.
Former Wimbledon boss Kinnear said: "I know I will be caned for even suggesting this, but I see a lot of Fashanu in Ameobi.
"During these next couple of weeks I intend to work one-on-one with him in the afternoons to try to bring the best out of him and maybe show him how Fash used to play.
"I am going to start afternoon training with several of the younger lads. Ameobi has a lot to offer, he is not the finished article, but he is willing to work.
"I am going to work to get the best out of him. He could be a John Fashanu, and I am prepared for what people will be saying about that suggestion!"
Kinnear added: "We have got a two-week break now, and we may get a few of the injured players back for the Manchester City game next, there's three or four that we will have next time around.
"We could become a force once we get organised and get their heads straight. There will be some more points on the board, for sure.
"The reaction from the players has been first class. They have had extra training, but it has been rewarding."
Kinnear believes "the rot has been stopped" after Newcastle recovered from 2-0 down to grab a point thanks to goals from Steven Taylor and Damien Duff directly before and after the break.
He fielded a side including Michael Owen and Damien Duff as strikers, with Ameobi coming on for the last quarter of an hour in place of Geremi to give the team added height up front.
Kinnear said: "We showed confidence and character, we went about our business in the right way. There may have been question marks over having two small lads up front, but we kept the ball on the ground and played some very good stuff.
"There was fantastic character from the players, a great reaction at half-time. Everybody was up for the fight in the second half. Steve Taylor's goal gave us the incentive.
"For long periods we dominated. We deserved maximum points. But in my first game we stopped the rot.
"It ended a five-match losing run. To do that at a tough place like Everton was excellent.
"I didn't see either goal. I was running down the steps to the dressing room when the first went in and just heard the roar. I just prayed it was for us.
"It was and I was delighted. Everyone was in a slightly better mood by the time I got to the dressing room than I had anticipated.
"For the second one I was on my way back up those stairs. I felt that maybe I should just go back and sit in the dressing room, not watch, and we would score another two."
Kinnear added: "It was a great atmosphere in the dressing room. It was buzzing, and different to when I arrived.
"Everyone was on a downer then, and now I am looking forward to things. It does not matter how long I am here, only what I do when I am around."
Regarding his appearance near the dug-outs, despite an FA touchline ban, Kinnear added: "I was moved on. I passed on some information from the tunnel entrance and was told to go away by the fourth official.
"Then 'old Percy Plod' came along and said 'No, no, no'.
"He didn't arrest me, just sent me back to the stands. Nothing changes in my career, does it?"
Everton managed David Moyes noticed how Newcastle's first goal, seconds from the break, altered the atmosphere.
He said: "It changed my mood, it changed the crowd's mood and it changed the players' mood because we were all anxious.
"We were cruising and I was about to go into do a positive speech, but then we conceded.
"During the break I told them how important the next goal was. We knew that they would be lifted by their late goal. Then we conceded again."
Despite being disappointed at throwing away a two-goal lead, Moyes saw positives, including the impact of record signing Marouane Fellaini early on.
Moyes said: "He scored a good goal and I was pleased because I think he had an influence in the first half.
"But we've got to remember that he is just a 20-year-old boy still learning. Hopefully we will start to get some form now."
Everton have denied that they have received any bids to buy the club from foreign investors.
Kinnear has already spotted something of the once-feared Fashanu in Ameobi, the 6ft 2in former England Under-21 striker.
Former Wimbledon boss Kinnear said: "I know I will be caned for even suggesting this, but I see a lot of Fashanu in Ameobi.
"During these next couple of weeks I intend to work one-on-one with him in the afternoons to try to bring the best out of him and maybe show him how Fash used to play.
"I am going to start afternoon training with several of the younger lads. Ameobi has a lot to offer, he is not the finished article, but he is willing to work.
"I am going to work to get the best out of him. He could be a John Fashanu, and I am prepared for what people will be saying about that suggestion!"
Kinnear added: "We have got a two-week break now, and we may get a few of the injured players back for the Manchester City game next, there's three or four that we will have next time around.
"We could become a force once we get organised and get their heads straight. There will be some more points on the board, for sure.
"The reaction from the players has been first class. They have had extra training, but it has been rewarding."
Kinnear believes "the rot has been stopped" after Newcastle recovered from 2-0 down to grab a point thanks to goals from Steven Taylor and Damien Duff directly before and after the break.
He fielded a side including Michael Owen and Damien Duff as strikers, with Ameobi coming on for the last quarter of an hour in place of Geremi to give the team added height up front.
Kinnear said: "We showed confidence and character, we went about our business in the right way. There may have been question marks over having two small lads up front, but we kept the ball on the ground and played some very good stuff.
"There was fantastic character from the players, a great reaction at half-time. Everybody was up for the fight in the second half. Steve Taylor's goal gave us the incentive.
"For long periods we dominated. We deserved maximum points. But in my first game we stopped the rot.
"It ended a five-match losing run. To do that at a tough place like Everton was excellent.
"I didn't see either goal. I was running down the steps to the dressing room when the first went in and just heard the roar. I just prayed it was for us.
"It was and I was delighted. Everyone was in a slightly better mood by the time I got to the dressing room than I had anticipated.
"For the second one I was on my way back up those stairs. I felt that maybe I should just go back and sit in the dressing room, not watch, and we would score another two."
Kinnear added: "It was a great atmosphere in the dressing room. It was buzzing, and different to when I arrived.
"Everyone was on a downer then, and now I am looking forward to things. It does not matter how long I am here, only what I do when I am around."
Regarding his appearance near the dug-outs, despite an FA touchline ban, Kinnear added: "I was moved on. I passed on some information from the tunnel entrance and was told to go away by the fourth official.
"Then 'old Percy Plod' came along and said 'No, no, no'.
"He didn't arrest me, just sent me back to the stands. Nothing changes in my career, does it?"
Everton managed David Moyes noticed how Newcastle's first goal, seconds from the break, altered the atmosphere.
He said: "It changed my mood, it changed the crowd's mood and it changed the players' mood because we were all anxious.
"We were cruising and I was about to go into do a positive speech, but then we conceded.
"During the break I told them how important the next goal was. We knew that they would be lifted by their late goal. Then we conceded again."
Despite being disappointed at throwing away a two-goal lead, Moyes saw positives, including the impact of record signing Marouane Fellaini early on.
Moyes said: "He scored a good goal and I was pleased because I think he had an influence in the first half.
"But we've got to remember that he is just a 20-year-old boy still learning. Hopefully we will start to get some form now."
Everton have denied that they have received any bids to buy the club from foreign investors.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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