We_are_the_Hearts Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Published Date: 20 January 2009 By BARRY ANDERSON DAVID OBUA remains an enigma six months into his Hearts career. Sporadic glimpses of potential have failed to convince supporters of the hype surrounding this former South African Player of the Year, hence the jeers ringing in his ears. Booing and ridiculing from Hearts fans reinforce the need for Obua to lift his game, but when questioned on the issue he is refreshingly candid and not at all resentful of his treatment. Certainly a better gambit was expected when Csaba Laszlo seADVERTISEMENTcured him on freedom of contract from Kaizer Chiefs last summer. Since then muscle injuries have been frustratingly persistent, form largely absent. Obua betrays a languid approach on the pitch which may have sufficed in South Africa, but Scotland is another world and acclimatising has not been straightforward. However, the Ugandan is no shrinking violet. He has struggled amidst mediocre performances this season but fortitude and conscientiousness are there in abundance. Recent matches ? the second half at Easter Road and Saturday's game at Kilmarnock ? indicate a gradual improvement in his fitness and application, while public criticism has not affected his inner confidence. "I know the fans will love me, I know they'll cheer for me again because I'll do my best for them," he says with a distinctive American twang, gained during a previous spells in the United Soccer League with Raleigh NC and Wilmington Hammerheads. "Some of them are going to have their opinions. If you are in this business and you aren't doing well, supporters are going to give you stick. You have to take it like a man and I've taken it like a man. I don't relax and not bother because they are criticising me, I'm working tirelessly. Hopefully they can see that and they can support me with my efforts. "In this game you have to take the good with the bad. Even the best players in the world get criticised. Diego Maradona was booed once, Ronaldinho (pictured] got booed at Barcelona and he was their top player. You have to take it positively. They don't boo you because they hate you, sometimes they are having a bad day and you are expected to bring them out of that. Some of them come (to a game] with other issues and you have to respect that. "They are our fans and, even though they boo you, you must go out and win their hearts. Working hard is the only medicine for that." Adulation came unreservedly to Obua in Africa. He is still known as 'King David' at Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena, the club's headquarters just south of Johannesburg. Before his defection to Hearts, supporters leaving the city had the opportunity to bid farewell to their hero, whose image adorned a huge billboard at OR Tambo International Airport. He also still visits his former primary school, Kitante, in the Ugandan capital of Kampala and mingles with pupils in football games on the dusty school compound. Contrast that with current life in Edinburgh and the phrase "night and day" springs to mind. Obua admits to playing through the pain barrier while striving to convince the Hearts public of his worth. "I don't go out on the field to be lazy or anything like that. I've walked onto the field in pain sometimes but I've given what I can," he says. "I went into rehab for eight weeks or so earlier this season but the muscle still hurts. It doesn't just heal immediately, especially in this kind of weather. You have to heal gradually. I'm getting fitter and the pain is going down. "I'm not quite there yet, I still have a long way to go. I'm working extremely hard every day. My injuries have caused me a lot of trouble because I haven't been able to play. When you come back and the team is doing well, it's not easy to leave anyone out. "The coach has to keep the same team until you get your break. I'm getting my break and I'm trying to do the best I can. I can become better and better with each week. "Regular games is all I needed. It's just about me getting the time to play after my injuries. I've been out a long time in total and I did not have a good pre-season. All these things build up during the season so I'm just trying to get my body in the right shape. Another couple of games should be enough." As well as the United States, where he studied at college in Tennessee before embarking on a professional football career, Obua has also graced the comparative backwaters of the Mauritian league with AS Port-Louis 2000. Factor in a spell with the Ugandan club Express and the reasons for the apparent casualness on the field become slightly more obvious. None of the above could be considered a high-octane footballing environment, so perhaps his ongoing adjustment to the SPL is not surprising. He gave a competent performance at Kilmarnock on Saturday but preferred to dedicate the 2-0 victory to others. "The win was for the fans who travelled in such bad weather, and also for Jason Thomson. He lost his Grandpa before the match and it took a lot for him to come out and play. It's so hard for a player in that situation but Jason played very well. He looked emotional at times but life is like that. We got the three points and dedicate them to him and his Grandpa. "When you win games, future games become easier. Saturday was a crappy game in the first half but we pulled through. If this team stays together we can be one of the forces in the league." Obua is similarly enthused by his international prospects after Uganda's CECAFA Cup final triumph over Kenya last week. National coach Bobby Williamson attained unprecedented praise for guiding the Ugandans to victory after selecting only home-based players for the tournament. "Bobby is a legend back home," says Obua. "I called home and everybody just loves him, they are singing his name in town and everything. "I know he's loving it. He's a great manager and the young players he has right now are going to help him a lot. We will definitely fight for Bobby. "I told him I'm going to bring a Hearts jersey with my name on the back as a present for him." That would likely prompt only a gruff response from the former Hibs boss. In any case, Obua must appease his existing detractors before seeking any new ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoGwash Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I like the way that he has been in the press the last few days talking about how he knows he has to improve and is determined to do so. He hasn't been great obviously but has had to deal with a much bigger change of football style than most. It's only words but at least it looks as though he's up for the challenge rather than going into a huff about the nasty Hearts fans booing him. He wouldn't be the first player to give up the ghost and just take the money while showing no effort to get in the team. Some small signs of improvement in the Hibs and Killie games so wouldn't it be a great idea to get behind him for a while top to see if we can help him raise his confidence levels and his overall game. He is a Hearts player after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drylaw Hearts Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Obua thinks Blobby is a great Manager. He's growing on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Weathers Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 It was going so well until he said that Bobby Williamson is a legend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 He has a long way to go. He 'cheated' on Saturday and that could have cost us if Invincible had not missed his sitter. Otherwise he had his best game but that is not saying anything given how poor he has been so far. And I think it is now acknowledged that he was not South African Player of the Year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattatooi Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Second half against the Hobo's, and for spells during the killie game, I thought he was looking OK. One thing I really like is that he is always looking for space and giving the rest of the team options. Needs to speed things up a little and get that 1st touch under control but as my signature say's, I'm optimistic. Wants to give Blobby a Hearts top - do you think he's at the wind up or he honestly doesn't know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsnomarooned Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 We perhaps shouldn't underestimate the difficulty of coming to a new country/culture etc and let him develop into the player that Laszlo, presumably, knows he is. Painfully one-footed though - this needs to be addressed a.s.a.p. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djf Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 He isn't good enough to play for Hearts and it's concerning that Csaba is picking him ahead of people who deserve it more. Hope i'm proved wrong but it's rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drylaw Hearts Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 It was going so well until he said that Bobby Williamson is a legend! In my eye's Blobby is a legend. He was hopeless at ER. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince Buaben Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 What he didnt mention was his inspiring meeting with a "drunk" hearts fan in Cav who told him to keep his form up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alwaysthereinspirit Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 He isn't good enough to play for Hearts and it's concerning that Csaba is picking him ahead of people who deserve it more. Hope i'm proved wrong but it's rare. Rare for Csaba to change his mind on players starting or rare that your seldom wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambo1874 Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I read the title as 'Obama Vows to be loved by Hearts Fans' (have cnn on in the background so distracted). I was thinking there are slightly higher priorities for you than that Barack but good on ye On Obua though, I have seen enough Hearts players have seriously dodgy starts to their Hearts careers, so am still prepared to give him some more time. I think there is a player in there but unsure as to whether he is suited to the SPL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego10 Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 In my eye's Blobby is a legend. He was hopeless at ER. Although Mixu is starting to make him look like Brian Clough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbos Right Peg Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 All hail to the next King of Scotland. Anyone that has played for the Wilmington Hammerheads is good enough for me. Even Idi Amin didnae manage that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drylaw Hearts Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Although Mixu is starting to make him look like Brian Clough. And long may that continue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambof3tornado Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I read the title as 'Obama Vows to be loved by Hearts Fans' (have cnn on in the background so distracted). I was thinking there are slightly higher priorities for you than that Barack but good on ye On Obua though, I have seen enough Hearts players have seriously dodgy starts to their Hearts careers, so am still prepared to give him some more time. I think there is a player in there but unsure as to whether he is suited to the SPL. He hides it well but I too am sure he will come good. As long as Newcastle etc dont come in and snap him up for ?14m on the 31st jan!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csabas the man Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 David Obua has a lot of ability but he just needs the confidence to show more of it. so instead of booing him when things dont cum off, give him praise for atleast tryin, we done the same for Miko couple of years ago and it helped him out alot. Csaba didnt bring him here if he didnt have the talent so just give him time, he will cum good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanes de Silentio Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 David Obua has a lot of ability but he just needs the confidence to show more of it. so instead of booing him when things dont cum off, give him praise for atleast tryin, we done the same for Miko couple of years ago and it helped him out alot. Csaba didnt bring him here if he didnt have the talent so just give him time, he will cum good I tend to agree. However... Dear Davie-baws, If you want to be loved by Jambos... start by losing the green boots! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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