Lee Bowyer has admitted he is loving life at Birmingham City
Nov 23 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
LEE Bowyer today spoke of the joy of his footballing renaissance.
And the midfielder, scorer of the winning goal that sank Fulham to extend Blues’ unbeaten run, said he could easily have settled for an easy life by snubbing Alex McLeish’s side.
Bowyer made a good impression during a five-month loan spell last season, helping Blues force their way to runners-up spot in the Championship and promotion.
And the 32-year-old said he was delighted to have grasped the chance to make the switch from West Ham United permanent, bringing to an end an unhappy period at his boyhood club that was dogged by injury.
“I only had one spell at West Ham where I had a dodgy tendon in my right thigh,” Bowyer recalled.
“I had to have the tendon released. I think it was misdiagnosed but that happens.
“It’s not a bad record over 13 years and I don’t think anyone can question my work-rate and fitness.
“I was just unlucky in the middle spell at West Ham. I just like playing and enjoying my football. Days like Saturday’s make waking up on Sunday mornings worthwhile.
“I wouldn’t say I took a gamble coming to Birmingham. They were unlucky to go down the season before last.
“All I wanted to do was to get playing football again. For one reason or another, they didn’t want to extend my contract at West Ham and I came here. It’s turned out to be a good thing for all parties.
“A few players might have been happy to pick up their money. But that’s not me. It would have been easy to do it because London is my home.
“But I didn’t want to be sitting watching football. I’ll be doing that when I finish playing. But you have to grab it and play as much as you possibly can, while you can.”
Bowyer’s trademark goal – a late run into the penalty area followed by a cool finish – made it eight points out of 12 for Blues, and moved them into 13th place.
The two victories and two draws represents their best Premier League sequence since winning four on the spin at before and during Christmas 2004.
It was his fourth goal of the campaign, keeping him out in front as Blues’ top-scorer.
“I’ve been top-scorer for a while here. But it’s not about me, we have climbed to 13th now and we have put a little cushion between us and some of the others,’’ said Bowyer.
“We know it’s a long season – and a hard season – and we won’t be taking it for granted.
“In the last two games, you could argue that penalty incidents have cost us. Before this, no-one would have thought we would have picked up something from the games against Liverpool and Man City. So we are delighted with the recent haul.
“Fulham are doing well, they are a good side, but our back four were exceptional, they put their bodies in the line of fire.”
As for his goal, Bowyer praised James McFadden for eyeing his burst forward.
“I’ve never really stopped making those runs,” he said. “It’s whether you receive the ball or not. Fortunately enough, James spotted it.
“If you don’t receive the ball, then it’s pointless making the run. James’s vision and with the check on the ball it enabled me to take a look at the goalkeeper and make my mind up where to put it as well.”
