Newcastle United 2 - 1 Birmingham City

Men in the middle are central to Magpies' success says Bowyer

DYNAMIC is an often over-used word in football parlance but there was more than a ring of truth to Lee Bowyer's phraseology when he described Newcastle United's midfield as such.

With Kieron Dyer, Jermaine Jenas and Bowyer all forming the central piece of the Magpies' jigsaw there is an abundance of enthusiasm and enterprise pouring from the energetic triumvirate.

It has been an audacious move from under-pressure manager Graeme Souness to pursue a five man midfield that emerges as a three-pronged attack when on the front foot - but one that worked against Birmingham City to give 2005 the pefect start.

The unpredictable wing play of Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert allowed the core of the Newcastle line-up to exploit gaps that opened up in front of them.

Perhaps there was a sense of naivety from Bowyer after claiming that Newcastle's middle three are the most energetic in the country - Arsenal's Patrick Vieira, Freddie Ljungberg and Cesc Fabregas are likely to be just a few who disagree.

But having been a major part of Leeds' push into the Champions League semi-finals in 2000 -alongside Olivier Dacourt, Harry Kewell and Eirik Bakke - he has enough experience to know what he is talking about.

And Bowyer's running from the middle, with Jenas and Dyer taking turns to sit, was one of the leading factors in the opening half on Saturday.

He had two fantastic opportunities to build on Shola Ameobi's early opener - his first Premiership goal of the season - before he eventually did by side-footing Robert's cut back beyond goalkeeper Maik Taylor.

"This new formation seems to be working. It is similar to the formation Chelsea play with Damien Duff and Arjen Robben joining the attack," said Bowyer, whose sentiments were echoed by Blues boss Steve Bruce.

"I can't see there being a more energetic or dynamic midfield in the country than us three.

"The manager has switched things and it seems to be working. We can get up and down all day, that's what's good about us. We are very strong in there.

"All three of us enjoy the system. Jermaine is supposed to be the defensive midfielder but we interchange and teams struggle with that.

"Kieron and Jermaine are both pacy while I'm a bit slower but I got the goal."

Bowyer's strike on the cusp of half-time - following a Mario Melchiot slip that allowed Robert to steal in and centre - came after he had twice unlocked the Birmingham defence but poor finishing let him down.

The first came when he was put through by a clever Jenas pass only for the 27-year-old to see his low shot turned away for a corner by Taylor's right hand. Similarly eight minutes later Bowyer's effort into the opposite corner, after meeting Robert's through ball, was dealt with once again by the City keeper.

Chances had come thick and fast as soon as Newcastle's nerves were eased as early as the sixth minute when Ameobi struck.

The gangly forward, only in the side due to injuries to Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert, outmuscled Kenny Cunningham in the six yard box to head a Bellamy cross high into the net.

Prior to that breakthrough, Bellamy's quick feet had already troubled Olivier Tebily twice and the full-back was mercifully withdrawn after an embarrassing opening 25 minutes.

But, as Newcastle have found to their cost this season, promising attacking play can suddenly become undone if team-mates at the other end of the field don't stick to their jobs and that is a major reason why the Magpies have only won twice in 11 Premiership matches.

Souness made new defenders his priority and £8m Jean-Alain Boumsong and Celestine Babayaro are set to make their bows against Yeading on Sunday, but those already at the club did things well for once on Saturday.

Titus Bramble, apart from one brief wayward backward header to Shay Given, stood firm alongside Aaron Hughes, Steven Taylor and Olivier Bernard.

And Bowyer said: "To be fair we looked solid at the back and the defence in the last couple of games has been very solid. You have to take the rough with the smooth. If we are leaking goals defenders get the blame.

"People are quick to criticise the defence but slow to praise them."

Emile Heskey's fourth goal in as many games, when he fired a low 22-yard strike inside Given's near post, gave Birmingham hope after the interval and set nerves jangling around St James' Park.

But not winning at home for the eighth successive game would have been harsh on Newcastle and Bowyer, looking ahead to tonight's trip to West Brom, believes they can now move forward after ending a depressing slump.

"The win has been a long time coming. You can never doubt the spirit and commitment of this team. It has been very hard not winning games that we should have won time and time again. It is hard to take," said Bowyer.

"When you have young lads you can't be seen to let it effect you. We have kept the confidence up. It has been hard. We want to put it behind us and the important thing now is the West Brom game. We have to win there. We have had our sticky patch, now it is time to go on a run."

Birmingham boss Bruce was not given permission to talk to Newcastle about succeeding Sir Bobby Robson on Tyneside so if there was a nice way for Souness' side to start winning again this was it.

Three points and two new signings is certainly a good habit to start 2005 with and now it's all about sticking to New Year's resolutions for Newcastle.