Allardyce Concerned About Owen!

Last updated : 17 August 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Allardyce will go steady with the player, and he will ask Steve McClaren not to make unrealistic demands of a player who he feels remains vulnerable.

Allardyce: "It would be unfair to put too much pressure on Michael Owen at the moment  I mean that from our point of view and from England's point of view.

"It's safe to say that we will bring Michael into the squad (for tomorrow's first home match) after his two appearances this week. But he's still lacking match practice. He's fit from the injury, but we wouldn't say he's 100% match fit. That's the reason for organising the two games for him to catch up.

"Like all players, he's going to say he's fit before he is. But I have to stop all players being impatient when they've been injured.

"As soon as players come back and take part in a training session or feature in a reserve game, they'll insist that they're ready. But they're footballers and I'm a manager.

"The sports scientists and medical people are the experts. We take their judgment rather than the player's.

"The player has a big say in how he feels and what his problems are, there's no doubt about that. But we have to override their impatience sometimes for their benefit, for my benefit, for everyone's benefit.

"You have to look at what's best in the long run, use your experience and listen to everyone's opinion and make up your mind as manager from there.

"Once the manager has made his mind up, he's made his mind up. That's the end of it.

"The only problem with Michael is the match practice he's lacking, but there are games coming up for the first team and the reserves, behind-closed-doors games and England matches, all in a short period of time.

"If players are fit, they'll get called up by their countries and there's not much you can do about it.

"I make people aware of the situation with them, wherever they may be playing, and if they do go and play for their countries, I hope they'll be looked after.

"I'll speak to Steve after the weekend because we'll have a better view of it then. Michael's a bit more in the forefront after Rooney's injury, that's obvious.

"Steve has to get ready for the qualifiers (next month) and this game could be a good exercise for Michael Owen, Steve McClaren and Newcastle United.


"People dwell too much on the past in this game, and in life. If it's in the past, you can't do anything about it.

"You can learn from it. You take what you can and move forward and look to the future. That's the most important thing for us all.

"Michael's relieved to have come through the two games with no reaction and it's good news for me and for everyone at the club. Michael Owen is Michael Owen, he's a goalscorer."