Bellamy Confident of Starting Place
By Nick Raynor
November 25 2004
Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy feels he has all the qualities of a top class striker and is hoping to make it impossible for manager Graham Souness to drop him.
Souness has Alan Shearer, Patrick Kluivert, Craig Bellamy and Shola Ameobi vying for just 2 places in the starting XI. The Scot has played Shearer and Kluivert which forced Bellamy out wide onto the wing, something which Bellamy was not keen on.
Nether the less, Bellamy worked hard out on the wing and a thigh injury to skipper Alan Shearer gave Bellamy the chance upfront. In the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, Bellamy made the most of his opportunity, scoring one and setting up Patrick Kluivert for the other.
Bellamy said:
"One of the things which I have not got since I've been playing up front is enough goals but if you look at my record since I've been playing as a striker this season, I've changed.
"I've added other things to my game playing out wide, but you need to score if you are a forward."
Bellamy also said that injuries had held him back in his career at Newcastle:
"I'm 25 and I may not reach my peak years. I certainly don't think I'll go on until 33 or 34 because of injuries I've had, and I do tend to get problems through my speed work."
Craig also believes he has been performing well as of late:
"I believe in my own ability. I get criticised for being over confident, but you have to be confident in this game otherwise people will knock you down.
"I feel really sharp and this is my 24th game this season, which is remarkable compared to recent years. After five operations, it's a great feeling."