Sam Allardyce has given another excellent interview this time to Sky Sports on the heroics of Michael Owen in the last couple of games but also the winners he scored for Newcastle against Barnsley and Wigan.
Sam rightly points out that it’s not just good for England but it’s great for Newcastle United as it gives everybody at the club a lift.
Sam Allardyce - blimey, I didn’t realize Michael was that good
This is what Sam had to say today:
“It was absolutely terrific. I suppose in many ways, they were not the sort of goals Michael regularly scores, but it was absolutely fantastic technique and wonderful execution with such poise and calmness.â€
“That’s the reason Michael is such a great goalscorer - he is at his calmest when he is actually putting the ball in the back of the net, where most players lose their composure. That’s why they are not goalscorers like Michael Owen.â€
“They were terrific goals. They have given us a boost as a club and given England two great results to push and hopefully qualify for Euro 2008.”
Michael Owen doesn’t just score goals that mean nothing – he scored the goals that gave Newcastle 1-0 wins against both Barnsley in the Carling Cup and 3 points against Wigan in the league.
Sam will obviously be hoping for more of the same when he takes Newcastle to bottom placed Derby County on Monday night. But Sam seems to hint that he may not start Michael if he looks to be too fatigued after his England heroics.
Sam continued:
“I just hope it continues from here on now. It’s been an absolutely fantastic couple of weeks for Michael and the England camp. It’s a terrific couple of wins.â€
“Michael scored against Barnsley in the cup, he scored against Wigan, he then scored against Israel and then scores two against Russia, which is probably one of the hardest teams in that group.â€
“To come back with that sort of confidence under his belt and no injury problems is a great, great boost for us all, particularly me, the rest of the players and everybody concerned with Newcastle United.â€
“I hope it continues on from here and he has recovered enough to continue where he has left off with England at Derby on Monday.”
Allardyce will look closely at Michael in training on Friday as he considers the selection of his team for Derby, obviously hoping to keep the team’s unbeaten streak going. One of the goals this season is keep our players as fit and injury free as possible, especially are match winners like Owen. Maybe Sam thinks he has enough firepower to win the game without needing to use Owen. It wouldn’t surprise us much if Sam starts Ameobi and martins for that game, holding Michael in reserve and see if he’s needed.
Allardyce went on:
“The last thing we would want now is Michael to pick up another injury through fatigue, but I hope that’s not the case.†“The excitement of just being free from injury and playing and scoring has got Michael’s adrenaline really pumped up.â€
“He feels he wants to get out there and feel like his old self again, and I am sure coming back today, that’s exactly how he feels.†“But he can still get better. He has still got a lot to do in terms of his rehabilitation.â€
“He has to be disciplined in the fact that things are going well now, but he still has to do his exercises on his own, he still has to keep up his rehab on his own over and above what we do on a day-to-day basis to make sure he stays stronger and fitter than he has ever been before.â€
“If that’s the case, he can continue to score goals, hopefully not just for England, but for Newcastle United.”
Well, we agree with that - comments very welcome.
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20 responses so far ↓
1 Rich // Sep 13, 2007 at 18:59
Hey Ed -
just looking at Alexa and you had more traffic than the official NUFC.CO.UK up until the season started!!!
seems many fans only take an interest when we are winning lol.
NUFC.COM is still way ahead of all the toon sites though.
great tool Alexa is.
2 JEFFBRUM // Sep 13, 2007 at 19:00
……DOES ANYONE KNOW OF ANY BARS IN FORT LAUDERDALE / MIAMI THAT SHOWS LIVE PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES ????
3 big pea ov the weab // Sep 13, 2007 at 20:01
there was a bit earlyer on about the loacal hero song who else thinks it should b brought back ? responses appriciated
4 Tripp // Sep 13, 2007 at 20:03
NUFC.com is shite. You have to pay for just about everything worth reading/viewing. Ed, you’re doing a smashing job. It’s esp. appreciated here in Denver, CO where Newcastle is only know for tha Broon. If it weren’t for your efforts I’d have a much more difficult time getting good info. The banter is great too!
I’m sorta torn about Owens playing at Derby. One the one hand, why put him on the bench when he’s scoring so much, on the other hand, he’s still had the knee issue and why risk him when we have so many good strikers now. I’d rest him and use him as a sub if I had to make the call.
5 Craig Allen // Sep 13, 2007 at 20:05
Have a look at nufc.com, Jeff they normally list the overseas broadcast channels and times - only for nufc games of course
6 Craig Allen // Sep 13, 2007 at 20:07
I’ve never had to pay for anything at nufc.com, Tripp. You’re probably referring to the members section on nufc.co.uk.
7 Humble // Sep 13, 2007 at 20:08
this is not related but do any of you guys know if a new team photo is out yet?
8 JEFFBRUM // Sep 13, 2007 at 20:11
I’LL TAKE A LLOK AT THAT WEBSITE CRAIG - CHEERS.
9 Geno Toon // Sep 13, 2007 at 20:42
Sam does a good job of keeping players focused. Sign of a great manager… keep them hungry!
10 Murvar // Sep 13, 2007 at 21:00
Re the Local Hero thing: I was perturbed when it disappeared from the pre-kick-off, although it fits well at half-time when the returning hero takes his bow. But on reflection, I’d really like to hear the team come out to it when they really are heroes ie when they have actually WON something. It is part of the atmosphere though and I miss it.
11 dan // Sep 13, 2007 at 21:03
Bring back local hero!!!! It is to us what ‘You’ll never walk alone’ is to liverpool!
12 Ed Harrison // Sep 13, 2007 at 21:08
Rich - I live and learn - wasn’t aware of the ALEXI site - but am now.
13 WelshWizard // Sep 13, 2007 at 23:13
Tripp - get your facts right……
14 Tripp // Sep 13, 2007 at 23:21
@Craig
Aye. You’re right. I was thinking of the official site (which IS shite, unless you pay, perhaps). Thanks.
15 Duncan Disorderly // Sep 13, 2007 at 23:22
sign of a great manager indeed - if BSA can keep Owen fit through his scientific approach, he is the best, and would be wasted in International management when you only see the players periodically. The success of England should not be under-estimated from and NUFC perspective - if we were successful and England not, BSA’s tenure might be worryingly short.
16 Duncan Disorderly // Sep 13, 2007 at 23:25
I agree re Local Hero - stirring music written by a real local hero and much better than the rather camp version of the Blaydon Races they used to play.
As an aside, does anyone know where on the interweb I can acquire a copy of “Coming Home, Newcastle” that used to get played a lot in the past?
17 Marguerite // Sep 13, 2007 at 23:27
BRING BACK LOCAL HERO IT STILL MAKES THE HAIR AT THE BACK OF MY NECK STAND UP EACH TIME I HEAR IT
18 Craig Fisher // Sep 14, 2007 at 0:31
Duncan ‘I’m Coming Home, Newcastle’ is by the band ‘Lindisfarne’ and i would imagine is available on most download sites legal or otherwise
19 Duncan Disorderly // Sep 14, 2007 at 1:04
Craig, thanks for the suggestion - there seems to be a difference of opinion on the web between Lindisfarne and somebody called “Busker” - ever heard of them? I don’t recall ever hearing the ‘farne play it at the famous Christmas concerts at the City Hall but I might just have been drunk!
20 big pea ov the weab // Sep 14, 2007 at 9:33
so can we get a petition started online is it posable ? coz i would love to here it back
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