Owen The Man To Keep Allardyce At Newcastle?

Last updated : 06 June 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
Owen thinks Estonia could be difficult to break down and pack "every man behind the ball", in an attempt to kill the game.

Steve McClaren's side need three points to revive their hopes of reaching next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland - and anything less could bring about McClaren'e exit and ... guess what ... the FA turning to new Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce.

Estonia should be easy meat for the glamour boys wearing the three lions, after all, they have lost all six qualifiers and failing to score a goal in the process.

They have only let in 11 goals in six games, including four in Israel , and at the weekend group leaders Croatia earned a narrow 1-0 win.

Owen: "We need to win. If we do win, it will be a great result. But Estonia can defend all right because they only seem to lose by one or two goals as was shown against Croatia at the weekend.

"They are going to defend and we have seen it before when travelling to these sort of teams.

"If we get an early goal, we might be able to win by more than one goal but if we don't it will be like most games and the sooner everyone understands these games away from home are tough, the better.

"Our opponents are always up for games - but I don't think there is any team that has got the bit between the teeth like our lads.

"They take a lot of stick at times, sometimes unfairly. I don't think anyone can question the heart they've got. If anything, the lads try too hard.

"I want the season to continue because I've only just started playing again and I've got great enthusiasm for the game. A lot of the players are looking forward to holidays after a long season. I am looking forward to playing."