[theo kawala]

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder challenged £10million striker Obafemi Martins to break the 20-goal barrier after watching him open his account at St James' Park in the 2-1 victory over Levadia Tallinn.

The 21-year-old Nigerian headed home a 47th-minute Emre corner and then drilled a left-foot shot in off the underside of the crossbar three minutes later to take his tally for the club to three.

For Roeder, who had promised his big-money summer signing would score goals, it was the perfect response to the pressure which had been mounting on his shoulders.

He said: "I am sure he himself will target 20 goals, as any other striker should be doing.

"There are very few strikers who are considered so good with their play outside the penalty box that 20 goals is not considered a must.

"The one that always crosses my mind is Mark Hughes. He would often chip in with 12 or 15, but because of his brilliance outside the box, you would accept that.

"But most strikers are expected to score 20 goals-plus, that is a good benchmark, and I do not see why Oba should not pitch himself around that.

"If he was pitching any less, he would be selling himself short, and I am sure he will not do that."

Leading 1-0 from the first leg, Newcastle struggled to impose themselves before the break, but Martins' intervention so quickly after it effectively killed off the tie.

They will now await Tuesday's draw in Nyon having earned the reward for the early start in the Intertoto Cup.

Roeder said: "It was a really good night's work. Two-one did not quite tell the whole story in terms of the amount of possession we had.

"We created more chances in the second half and could have scored a few more. I am a little bit disappointed to concede a goal which made it look closer than it really was."

Keeper Steve Harper, however, was disappointed to have conceded after substitute Indrek Zelinski's 65th-minute header had squirmed under his dive, although Roeder was quick to absolve him of any blame.

He said: "He is being very hard on himself in the dressing room, which again is a sign of his quality as a person because he is self-critical.

"It was a slippy surface out there, it was a good downward header. If anything, I was disappointed he (Zelinski) was allowed to climb above our defenders and get the header away.

"Steve is disappointed that he did not get down quicker to get a hand to it, but it was right down by the side of his legs in a position which often beats a goalkeeper.

"With a greasy top, it slid very quickly past him."

[waynelyp90]

to get 20 goals for a first timer in the EPL is a rare player. They often cant adapt to it quickly, just look at mighty Shevchenko for Chelsea.

[theo kawala]

yer but thats what hes doing hes challenging him to do something thats what bosses need to do and thats what will help the player

[Joe]

I doubt it very much. He will struggle to get in double figures for poremiership goals.

At Inter he missed more chances than scoring, always got himself into position but could never finish

[gman93]

Originally Posted by Joe

I doubt it very much. He will struggle to get in double figures for poremiership goals.

At Inter he missed more chances than scoring, always got himself into position but could never finish

i think he will score 10

[theo kawala]

i think he will score 12

[goldenHuddlestone]

if he keeps up thiis form who knows

[waynelyp90]

his form for now is good but do you know any players that had great form for the whole season? I think 12 is his number of goal in the premiership, maybe the goals in the UEFA Cup will come easier for him.

[theo kawala]

yer i think all together he will get 17 goals. He will improve at newcastle you will see i know he misses his chances yes but when he scores them they are great i mean look at that screamer scored at st james park

[waynelyp90]

martins is still 21 right? I think he will have a bright future if continue playing in the EPL for newcastle.

[theo kawala]

he will and if he does very well he might move on from newcastle

[waynelyp90]

yeah i think so coz newcastle is a disaster for striker's. Just look shearer how shearer finish up there without a major silverware

[theo kawala]

what did he win with newcastle?

[Tim18]

Originally Posted by theo kawala

what did he win with newcastle?

Nothing

Martins wont reach 20, probably about 12 goals this season, like someone else has already said.

[theo kawala]

NOTHING Really not even a medal honestly (wait let me just laugh hahahahahahhahahahahhahhhahahahhahah)

[Worksop_Owl]

yea but shearer brought so much to the game. he is a lehend in his own right. neways...martins will score 20 this season his morale increases with every goal he scores.

[theo kawala]

im not sure i bet you he will get about 13-17 in all competitions

[Worksop_Owl]

if u want. but he will still be newcastles top scorer. laso with ameobi and owen wanting a first team place he will need to score a lot of goals.

[theo kawala]

yer he will then maybe ameobi then owen