Newcastle boss: Owen, Martins can play together

Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce is confident Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins can play together.

"I like to think that a partnership between Michael and Obafemi could work - I hope so," said Allardyce ahead of tonight's clash with Tottenham.

"Both are talented players, both are good individuals. What we need, what we're trying to find is a partnership.

"People have said that they're too similar, but I don't agree. I don't think they're similar players. For me, there's just one thing that's similar about them and that's their size. As similarities go, that's it. It's about their stature rather than their footballing style. The pair have different games. Obafemi's game is nothing like Michael's.

"Michael likes to drop in the hole and work off the shoulder, whereas Obafemi likes to run with the ball, to get at players, to run in behind and use his power and pace. I think the partnership is one that could work. If it's the case (that Owen and Martins start against Tottenham), we will have go about things in a different manner."

He added: "We've got to make sure that we play to their major, major strengths.

"We can't be playing aerial balls down the middle and allowing Tottenham to keep heading them out. We need to be playing it to feet. When you're playing with two lads like these two, you have to go through midfield - you have to use the wide areas rather than trying to challenge the central defenders in the air because we just don't have anyone to challenge and compete in those areas. If we do use them together, we will have to use different tactics."

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