In-form Birmingham midfielder Lee Bowyer insists he has become a "wiser" player in the twilight of his career.
Attitude has helped recapture form of old, says veteran
In-form Birmingham midfielder Lee Bowyer insists he has become a "wiser" player in the twilight of his career.
The former Leeds man turned 33 on Saturday as the Blues host champions Manchester United, who were dumped out of the FA Cup last week by his former club.
From high profile court cases to on-field scraps with team-mates, the once capped Englishman has a troubled past. However, this season he has produced his best form since his Elland Road days.
With six goals in all competitions, Bowyer feels his new-found approach to referees has helped his game which in turn has guided Birmingham to eighth place in the Premier League.
"I'll accept I've changed on the pitch," Bowyer told the
Daily Mail.
"I've become a bit wiser. I am competitive and, before, I was shouting for every decision.
"But I'm in the middle. They are in the middle. I'm constantly appealing and the penny has dropped with me that referees are getting fed up with it.
"It's confrontational and they don't like it. I don't shout at them now. I try to talk to them - I think they respond to it."
The Londoner also claims to have shed his reputation as a malicious player, with a series of red cards evident throughout his career.
"I've only been booked three times this season and two of those were bookings I took for the team against Chelsea and Stoke over Christmas," he added.
