Keegan hails attacking trio

Magpies manager finds the right combination

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 1st April 2008

mark viduka michael owen newcastle

Viduka & Owen: Goal threat

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Kevin Keegan is hoping that his three-pronged attack can steer Newcastle to Premier League safety.

The Magpies boss made the decision to use Michael Owen, Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins in tandem for the first time in the recent 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Birmingham at St Andrews.

The point earned in that game has since been built on with back-to-back victories against Fulham and Tottenham.

With all three of his strikers getting on the score sheet at some point during those matches, Keegan is adamant that he has the firepower at his disposal to trouble any defence in the division.

Outstanding

"I just said to Oba at half-time (in the 4-1 win at Spurs on Sunday): 'With your ability, when you get the ball turn and run at people'," Keegan told the Evening Chronicle.

"I said: 'Don't pass it to someone and try and play one-two, turn and run at people'. In the second half when he did that I just said 'wow'.

"Mark Viduka is different from anyone in the Premiership and so is Martins, while Michael Owen is an outstanding player.

"If you have got those three in the opposing half and trying to win you something, it doesn't half give the ones behind them some confidence, even if they have conceded a goal because they now know that there are goals in us.

"It's not the end of the world if we conceded the first goal like we did at Birmingham and again against Spurs on Sunday because we now have the players and the system to put things right at the other end."