Magpies still need a No 9, insists Owen

MICHAEL Owen is impressed with the start Newcastle United have made to the campaign - but fears they lack a serious No 9 like Alan Shearer.

Owen watched the Magpies win a third successive Premier League match for the first time since November 2014 on Saturday, with goals from Christian Atsu and Jamaal Lascelles sealing a victory over Stoke City.

The result moved Rafa Benitez’s side up to fourth in the Premier League table, much to the amazement of the former Toon striker.

Owensaid: “They have not won three in a row in a long time.

“The Premier League is not an easy place to do that in.

“It is very tough, especially for a team which has just been promoted - but it is a great start.

“Rafa Benitez intrigues me. I think every player who has played for him says he is one of a kind.

“You know where you are with him tactically and you can see him on the touchline instructing his players every minute. He is pulling players in and pushing others back.

“Just before this little run that they went on I was starting to think things could blow up and there could be arguments between manager and chairman.

“Rafa knows how to play it in the media and knows how to get an extra signing.

“I just felt, with a few things which were coming out and what he was saying, something could blow up.

“Would Mike Ashley be OK with this? But thankfully results have come and it is a happy camp.”

Owen, still Newcastle United’s record signing, admitted a top goalscorer is still lacking.

He added: “They actually signed a lot of players this summer but none of them were that type of marquee signing the Geordies love.

“They love a big signing at Newcastle in the Shearer ilk.

“They have very good players there - Matt Ritchie, for example but I think it is a proper No 9 they still lack.”