Betfair Big Interview: Tony Cottee

Premier League / Ralph Ellis / 11 December 2009 / Leave a Comment

"England should take five strikers to the World Cup - Owen, Defoe, Heskey, Rooney and whoever is in form from Carlton Cole and Peter Crouch. "

With 306 career goals of his own - he's promoting the DVD at the moment - Tony Cottee seemed the right person for Betfair to ask about Michael Owen's World Cup prospects . . .

So Tony, does Michael Owen's hat-trick mean he's back to form?

I think he's one of those players who'll always be in form, it's just a question of getting games. I was delighted for him to get that hat-trick against Wolfsburg because I think he probably needed it. His career at Old Trafford has been stop-start, there was the wonderful goal against Man City and a few misses in other games. I've felt for him because he hasn't been a regular in the team, and speaking form experience the only way you get the confidence in front of goal is either to be a regular, or when you get your chances you have to score. The three the other night were fantastic goals. They proved again he's a world class finisher.

His critics ask what else he does...

But what else do you want anyone to do? Football has always been about scoring goals

They asked that about you too, didn't they?

Of course. Managers used to say to me: "We know you score goals but we want you to work on the other side of your game". But I'm thinking: "If I work too hard on that I won't score the goals." It was the easiest thing for me to do. Michael would probably say the same, and any other natural goalscorer too.

Who else would you put in that class?

Jermain Defoe is the one who stands out - and Kevin Phillips is coming to the end of his career, but he's one. They are a dying breed. I'm told there's a couple coming through the ranks at West Ham but they are only 15 or 16 years of age now, so who knows? But it's not like the 1990s when there was Robbie Fowler, Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer, Andy Cole.

So what makes a natural goalscorer?

A couple of things, but mostly that you are born with natural talent to get into goalscoring positions. That's something you must have, and you can't really learn it. It's hard to explain but there's a radar in your mind that tells you where to go in the penalty area. Look at the second goal Michael scored the other night. When you watch it, there's nobody within five yards of him, everybody else has run to the near post, sucked towards the ball. Michael is at the far post in space, and has then got the technical ability to take the chance. That's the other thing that's vital. I've seen plenty of people who get into positions but can't finish. You have to have the two.

So you'd take him and Defoe to the World Cup?

Definitely. I don't get this four strikers idea. Traditionally the squad has had three goalies, eight defenders, eight midfielders and four forwards. But when you think about it, why the hell only take four forwards, when the game is ultimately about scoring goals? The reason you win a World Cup is because you have the goalscorers and the talent. Why only take four? We're pretty lucky this World Cup because we've got James Milner, Wes Brown and Michael Carrick who can play in many positions. Take some of them and you've got enough positions covered to give yourself another forward. My five would be Owen, Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney and whoever is in form from Carlton Cole and Peter Crouch. They'd all bring different aspects.

Okay so while we're talking about natural goalscorers let's mention your DVD. What was your favourite goal?

Actually it would be the very first I ever scored. West Ham against Spurs, my debut for the clulb I supported, I was 17 years old. It was technically not brilliant, but if you watch it there's nobody within five yards of me. The ball was headed towards goal, hit the cross bar, everybody else watches and I'm the one who goes in and puts in what looks like an easy finish. But just like Michael Owen the other night, creating the space in the penalty area is far more difficult than it looks. That's why it's my favourite - although there's an overhead kick against Forest in 1987 which was probably the best technically.

We can't mention West Ham without asking you about their current plight...

I know it's a great concern. It's been one thing after another this season, with financial problems, the trouble at the Millwall game, a relegation scrap, and now Dean Ashton has had to retire. Everything that could go wrong has done. I'm really concerned. I want a period of stability, but I can't see unless there's a takeover that it will happen.

Your other old club Everton are having a bad season too...

At least they have excuses, once the injured players come back they will slowly climb the league but they will pretty much have to write this season off now. They won't qualify for Europe purely because of the injuries. It's the same thing as West Ham - without a major financial investment they can't go forward.

Thanks for your time Tony and we've a free £50 bet for a favourite charity...

That can go to the Bobby Moore fund for Cancer research. I'll have a safe and boring £25 for Spurs to beat Wolves tomorrow at [1.29] and the rest on Jermain Defoe to get the first goal.