Source: SKY_Sports
Owen hits back at critics
Newcastle striker Michael Owen insists he is too experienced to become distracted by the 'rubbish' speculation surrounding his form.[LNB] Owen has failed to score in his last eight games as the Magpies, who sit 19th in the Premier League ahead of hosting Portsmouth on Monday, fight against relegation.[LNB]Despite a lack of full match fitness following an ankle injury, the 29-year-old was immediately restored to Newcastle's team upon the arrival of manager Alan Shearer at the start of April.[LNB]Shearer has pledged his continued support of his former Newcastle and England team-mate, but detractors have suggested the misfiring forward should be axed from the first XI if the club want to maintain a place in the top flight.[LNB]Owen, though, is adamant the criticism has not had an impact, saying: "It's nice when people say nice things about you. [LNB]Opportunity"But regardless, I will wake up in the morning and know where I stand in terms of my performances, my standing in the game, the goals I will score given the opportunities and everything else.[LNB]"I have been around a long time now and everyone knows if I get chances, then I will score goals.[LNB]"Stats are there and people will say eight games and all that. But one of the games, I came off after two minutes, I did my ankle, the next one, I came on for 10 minutes coming back.[LNB]"You can straight away narrow it down to five or six games before you even start.[LNB]"You go on a good scoring run and everyone will twist them into your favour as well.[LNB]Long in the tooth"I am a bit long in the tooth for all that rubbish, but it (the visit of Portsmouth) is certainly a game that I could do with finding the goalscoring touch.[LNB]"I have always said if I am given the chances, then I am totally confident I will put them away."[LNB]And Owen is well aware that Newcastle must meet Shearer's target of a hat-trick of wins from their three remaining games at St James' Park, starting with the visit of fellow strugglers Pompey.[LNB]"A few of the teams around us have got tough games and we have got a home game against a team that are in the bottom half as well, so it is a massive game," he told the club's official website.[LNB]"We have to win it and if we do win and we are only a point behind, then I would really fancy our chances."[LNB]
