Captain Owen ready to lead by example

Last updated : 03 June 2003 By Chris Maxwell
The 23-year-old openly admits that he, like the usual international captain David Beckham, likes to offer leadership through his performances on the pitch rather then his words off it.

Owen said: "Everyone has his own different style. When I first came into the England squad there were a lot of shouters - and it was the same with Liverpool as well.

"There was a lot of noise made before matches but that is gradually going out of the game. People are still very passionate but there is none of the screaming and shouting before kick-off.

"David Beckham is certainly not like that and the dressing room is a lot quieter and there is a lot more concentration and focus going into the games for both teams I play for. That’s the kind of captain David Beckham is. He is quite quiet but leads on the pitch and if anything I try to lead on the pitch as well.

"Because you are captain, you don’t automatically go and talk to people and, to use an expression, try and rally the troops.

"But you do tend to go and chat to the young lads at dinner or on the training pitch as a matter of course because when you first get into the squad it is quite a lonely experience."