Source: SKY_Sports
Shearer - Owen still the man
Newcastle manager Alan Shearer maintains that under-pressure striker Michael Owen is the man to fire the club away from danger at the bottom of the Premier League.[LNB] Owen, 29, was expected to enjoy a fruitful end to the season following the arrival of Shearer, an off-field friend from their time playing up front together for Newcastle and England, on an eight-game basis at the beginning of April.[LNB]But the former Liverpool and Real Madrid player has failed to score in his last eight games for the relegation-threatened club, with critics questioning his fitness and suggesting he should be axed from the first XI.[LNB]Shearer, though, insists that the forward will continue to lead the Newcastle line against fellow strugglers Portsmouth at St James' Park on Monday night. [LNB]"When you are a centre-forward and you haven't scored goals you are going to get criticised. I know that, he knows that," Shearer told Sky Sports News. [LNB]Concern"It has happened before and it will happen again. He can handle that.[LNB]"We know that if we create chances, Michael will be there and Michael will score goals.[LNB]"It has been a concern because we have not created enough in the three games I have been involved in and that is something we need to change on Monday."[LNB]Meanwhile, Shearer has told his flailing squad, who lost 1-0 at Tottenham last weekend, that they need to win their three remaining home games in order to save their top-flight skins.[LNB]After hosting Pompey, the 19th-placed Magpies welcome fierce North-East rivals, and neighbouring occupants of the relegation zone, Middlesbrough and Fulham to Tyneside.[LNB]Survival targetAnd following a meeting with his players at the club's Benton training ground, Shearer - who has yet to record a victory during his short-term reign - has targeted a minimum of nine points for survival. [LNB]"I got the players in on Monday and told them that whatever has gone on has gone on. We want everyone in a buoyant mood, happy and smiling," he added.[LNB]"The response to that has been good. I also said that if we had got a point and Spurs, it would have been a very good point.[LNB]"But even if that was the case we would still need to win the remaining three home games, and that hasn't changed.[LNB]"I believe that if we were to win three more games this season, that might be enough. Might not either.[LNB]"But I am hopeful we can do that. Whatever happens elsewhere, happens. If we win our games, then great."[LNB]
