Source: Telegraph
Newcastle's Michael Owen will rediscover form of old says Iain Dowie
Owen has ten goals to his credit this season but has not scored in a Newcastle shirt since January prompting suggestions in some quarters that the former Liverpool striker hardly deserves a first-team place.
But Newcastle assistant manager Iain Dowie has leapt to the 29-year-old's defence following the 1-0 defeat at Tottenham last weekend as the club prepared for Monday night's crunch clash with Portsmouth at St James' Park.
"Michael's goal record stands up to scrutiny with anybody," Dowie said.
"He is used to this. People only talk about him when he doesn't score.
"We didn't get a lot of opportunities in the game at Tottenham, apart from the one from Obafemi Martins in the closing stages.
"Michael has worked his socks off in all three games we've played. His work-rate is fantastic and he has covered so much ground.
"He's doing all the things that are right and one thing is certain - if chances come his way, he scores.
"We know that Michael has quality in abundance. In training this week and last week, he has come up with finishes that other strikers simply can't do."
Owen's fall from grace has been dramatic during an injury-blighted spell on Tyneside since leaving Real Madrid in £17 million transfer in 2005 and he has attracted plenty of criticism.
However, Dowie is confident Owen will prove his doubters wrong to push second-bottom Newcastle up the Premier League table.
"It's almost a British thing now, Dowie added. "We like to knock our great goalscorers. All Michael needs to know is that he's got the faith of his team-mates and the staff here.
"That's the key element and he knows it and feels it. Alan knows the game in terms of being where Michael is now.
"Alan was there himself. We are very happy with him. We know he can pop up when people are least expecting it.
"He knows how to deal with pressure - he's lived in 'the goldfish bowl' all his life.
"But he just gets on with his business."
