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Boro outcome a mystery to Owen
Newcastle United, 09:57, November 26, 2008 ,
Michael Owen says Newcastle's inconsistent form means he will not even attempt to predict the outcome of Saturday's derby game at Boro.
The Magpies hitman and skipper is gradually building up his fitness levels in the first team following his early season injury problems and he is looking forward to trying to guide the side to a much-needed victory in Saturday's Tees-Tyne derby clash at the Riverside.
However after seeing the Toon draw at Manchester United and Chelsea only to lose at West Ham, Sunderland and Fulham, Owen is avoiding any pre-match predictions. But the former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward recognises three points at Middlesbrough is vital to try and drag the team out of the relegation places following Wigan's win against Everton on Monday.
"Listen, we sat in the dressing room thinking, 'We have just won two back-to-back games and if we win on Saturday against Fulham, we will be top half, and then we have got Wigan at home - if we can get six points, we will be in the top six," Owen told the club's official website.
"Then we lost at Fulham and we only drew with Wigan and you think, 'Oh no, now we have got Chelsea away and Spurs and Liverpool coming up', and all of a sudden, it looks hard.
"And then we go and get a draw at Chelsea, so gone are the days where we are looking at fixtures.
"It is obviously a big game against Boro and a winnable game for both teams. I suppose they will be thinking the same thing - they are on their home patch.
"But hopefully, we can go there and get the points."