Bowyer can become famous for his football again
Posted by JamesB in Lee Bowyer, Newcastle | 8 April 2006
Following a series of good performances, can Lee Bowyer finally recapture the long term form that made him such a hit when he was at Leeds United?
With Scott Parker out for the rest of the season Bowyer’s chance to play in his preferred position has once again arrived and, so far at least, he looks to have grabbed it with both hands. His performance (despite having an own goal to his name) against Charlton was excellent; probably the best player on the pitch wearing black and white, although it was hardly a team performance to remember. Next up for Bowyer was another London club in the shape of Spurs, and this time with
a goal at the right end to his name he was again, in my opinion, our best player.
Everyone knows all about Lee Bowyer and the problems he has had over his career and I’m not interested in ranting on about them because the media remind us of it all the time. What I am interested in is the positives to him and his game. He’s played second fiddle this season to Emre and Parker, which must be hugely frustrating considering some of the team performances from United, but not once has he complained or spoken out against anyone in charge. It must also be frustrating knowing that your chairman fairly blatantly tried to get you out of the club; but still no negative comments or behaviour from Bowyer, just tireless work on the pitch and presumably in training as well. No-one can question whether he gives it 100% when he is on the pitch or not. Wherever and whoever his affiliation is with he will always perform as well as he can on the playing field, and in that respect he is a very good professional.
Of course commitment is all well and good, but there has to be some ability to go with it, otherwise I’d imagine most of the people in the stands of St James’ would be pushing for a place! Bowyer is certainly more than just a player who runs around for 90 minutes. He can tackle, pass, and has an eye for goal. More than anything however, he never seems to go missing in a game, unlike a certain goldfish who was taught a footballing lesson last Saturday. This attribute is vital, not least in the one local and one less local derbies that we have still yet to play.
Its time he got a run in the team in his favoured position as well. Bowyer is no right (or even left occasionally) winger. His game is about box to box runs, hard tackling and making something happen from the middle of the park. Unfortunately for him that most of this is wasted when he is playing on the touchline. With Parker out for the rest of the season he will now have an opportunity to play in the centre. A partnership with Emre is one that I think could be successful. Emre likes to sit deep for spells of the game, which will give Bowyer the freedom to get upfield towards the box and get on the end of something, just as he did against Spurs. We need some extra impetus going forward what with Owen being out until the last couple of games, and Bowyer can give us just that.
Bowyer knows that his chances to impress will be limited. Parker’s contribution can not be underestimated and Emre is a player I have taken a liking to, although recently his form has dipped a little. Despite Emre appearing to only be 80% sure, his agent is 100% sure that he will be here next season, and apparently Scotty Parker is reallyloving life at his new club so that partnership will probably still be available next season as far as I can see.
I for one hope Bowyer proves his critics wrong in the run in to this season. There are plenty of people who forget what a footballer he can be on his day, and prefer to think about his bust ups and such likes, which is a shame. Certainly if he keeps going the way he is at the moment, he will make team selection very difficult even when everyone is fit.
