Former Newcastle United striker Craig Bellamy has said that his critics helped to fuel his game in what he calls the ‘peak’ of his career on Tyneside.
The Welshman arrived at St. James’ Park in 2001 following a £6.5 million move from recently relegated Coventry City, where he scored six goals in 34 Premier League appearances the previous season.
The Magpies had tried to sign him the previous summer, but stalled in their negotiations, and Bellamy ended up moving to the Sky Blues instead.
But they got their man the following year, yet the club were criticised for their move for Bellamy after his uninspiring goalscoring record in 2001-02, as they went in search of a Premier League title push.
And Bellamy, now 42, has revealed that the backlash he received for his move to Newcastle in 2001-02 helped him to produce what he believes is his best ever season in his career, as he won the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
What is your favourite Craig Bellamy moment from his career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Speaking to the Central Club podcast, Bellamy said: "I exploded at Newcastle because Coventry didn't go well for me.
"Maybe, I expected more than what I was able to do but it wasn't a good year. I remember I went up to Newcastle and everyone was like, 'What have they signed him for?'
"I was seen as a failure at Coventry, but that gave me the fuel and I ended up winning PFA young player of the year that year, which was huge.
"To win PFA young player of the year basically says you are one of the best young kids in Europe.
"That was huge for me, but that was fuelled off a poor year. Everyone thinks I'm a poor player? Yeah? We'll see now. I'll show you in a good arena. Give me good players. I just took off, but I was angry as well."
Bellamy scored 14 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions during that debut season for the Magpies, as the then-21-year-old lit up the north east.
He went on to make a further 89 appearances over three seasons for the club, scoring 29 goals, but injuries hampered his progress
However, Bellamy will be remembered for forming an impressive strike partnership with Alan Shearer during that first campaign, as the Magpies finished fourth in the Premier League.
The former Wales international’s speed and dribbling on the ball helped him to become such an influential figure on the pitch and a fan favourite in the north east.
And it was during his time in the black and white stripes that he highlighted as the ‘peak’ of his career during the interview with the Central Club podcast.
Following a loan spell with Celtic in 2003-04, Bellamy sealed a move to Blackburn Rovers in 2005 for an undisclosed fee, and later went on to play for Liverpool, West Ham United, Manchester City and Cardiff City, before retiring in 2014.
