from todays Journal
http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2008/04/05/keegan-s-spark-lights-a-fire-for-viduka-61634-20723075/
Keegan’s spark lights a fire for Viduka
Mark Viduka’s return to fitness has coincided with Newcastle’s return to form. In an exclusive interview he talks to chief sports writer Luke Edwards about how Kevin Keegan helped him fall back in love with the beautiful game
IT is the favourite catchphrase of the ageing lothario that they are only as old as the woman they feel, but for ageing Premier League strikers it is perhaps more a case of only feeling as old as the strikers they partner.
Kevin Keegan’s return to St James’s Park has helped give Mark Viduka a new lease of life at Newcastle United, but it has as much to do with the presence of Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins as it does with the Magpies’ charismatic manager.
Having grown up in Melbourne, Viduka shares the typically chilled Antipodean attitude to life, but he also has – even if it is well hidden at times – the fierce competitive streak which marks out so many of his country’s sportsmen and women. When he returned to the side against Birmingham, Newcastle were in danger of slipping into the bottom three. Three games later and they are nine points clear of the drop zone and playing the sort of football supporters dreamed of when Keegan returned.
“I’m really enjoying my football at the moment, very much so in fact,” said Viduka. “I’m probably not the only one. After the game on Sunday against Tottenham I’m just buzzing, absolutely buzzing. It’s not often you go to a place like Tottenham, play so well and get a result like we did.
“I’ve not always enjoyed my football, if I’m honest. It is like every job, some days it’s good, some days it’s not. People looking in from the outside might think that’s strange because playing football is something a lot of people would love to do, but it’s different than people imagine sometimes.
“The good times and the bad times are magnified in football, if anything. It’s great when things are going well, but it can be very tough when things are bad. There have been periods in my career when I haven’t been happy.
“But it’s days like we had last weekend that make it all worthwhile. I’m thrilled with the way things are going under Kevin Keegan and I’m thoroughly enjoying my football again.”
For those who have watched Viduka throughout his career it will come as little surprise to discover that he has not always been happy with his lot.
Supremely talented, there have, nevertheless, been times when he has looked as though he is merely going through the motions on and off the pitch.
But, after six months of trying to adapt to former manager Sam Allardyce’s carefully-planned systems and rigid formations, Viduka has found a manager who is not only capable of inspiring him, but also one who shares many of the same ideas about how the game should be played.
“Kevin is a huge part of why I’m happy,” said Viduka. “He’s the one who is pulling the strings, isn’t he?
“I think over the last few weeks, the way we have played and the style we have played as a team has been different because of him.
“It’s a good thing to be part of. I believe football should be played a certain way and I agree with the manager’s philosophy.
“Then again, I’m an attacker so I would say that, wouldn’t I? I think, ideally, every team would like to play attacking football, it’s certainly a style of football I enjoy and long may it continue. But it’s not just about attack, attack, attack, we have been solid at the back as well.”
At 32 and with a physique susceptible to tweaks and strains, it is a constant challenge to keep Viduka out of the treatment room, but there is no questioning his desire to play. It is difficult to remember the striker sounding more enthusiastic about what the future may hold as he suggested the presence of Martins and Owen would prolong his career.
“People used to say that Craig Bellamy was Alan Shearer’s legs as he was so quick and did so much running, but I’m lucky because I’ve got two quick players around me,” said Viduka, who has another 12 months left on his Newcastle contract, with the option of another year after that.
“I don’t know how many years I’ve got left as a player, as many as possible. If I can be involved in a team like this, it would be great to be playing for as long as I possibly can.
“It’s a really positive club at the moment and it’s exciting to be a part of that.
“It’s not just the football club either, the whole town seems to be positive about things. Some of the football we played against Tottenham was outstanding and you don’t want to give that up.
“You know, I’ve got those two up there with me and I hope they can prolong my career. I’m very excited about the prospect, that’s for sure.
“We played quite well against Fulham and got the result we needed. It could have been better in terms of how we played, but against Spurs you really saw what we are capable of and that really excites me.
“If anything, the more we play together the better it is going to get which is a mouth-watering prospect.
“I guess I’m the focal point, the battering ram as it were. I give the team the option to hold the ball up if that’s what is needed and the other guys can play off me.
“They love running at people. If those two get on the ball high up the pitch they are so dangerous, which is what I try and give them.”
