Life In A Goldfish Bowl For Spurs Star!
Last updated : 23 October 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
I cannot remember any Newcastle player who believed he was as big a superstar as "JJ" ... as he liked to call himself.
Yes we've had the "Fancy Dans". Mark Stimson was more concerned about his blonde hair than making a tackle; Ian Bogie spent so much time on the sunbed he was known as the "world's first ORANGE footballer"; and Wayne Fereday always looked elegant ... until he was given the ball!
But black and white never suited "JJ". Pink with purple trimmings and perhaps a yellow bow would have suited him down to the ground.
He said life at St James' Park was "like a goldfish bowl", and after James Milner had hit home the third on Monday night the whole ground reminded Jenas of the score ... "Three-nil to the Goldfish Bowl".
He is now facing a relegation battle with Spurs, but is he up to it? Will you see him roll up his sleeves and dive into the clarts for a 50-50 tackle?
You tell me.
He insists there is no bad feeling following his move from Newcastle and he was prepared for more abuse from home fans for the reasons behind his departure in 2005.
Jenas: "I have never ever said those famous words really but people believe whatever they want to believe. My main concern is Tottenham and I'm looking at going up there and trying to get the three points regardless of whatever stick I might get.
"You can use the stick to your advantage if you are that type of person.
"It was a great city and club to be a part of. We were very successful at the time.
"We had two top-four finishes as well as finishing fifth one year plus a good run in the Champions League.
"They were very exciting times, but I think the year that we didn't get into the Champions League and then went into the UEFA Cup was when things started to deteriorate a little bit.
"My main concern is Tottenham, obviously I would have liked to have been away in Russia, but I've been more than happy to come in and do my work at Spurs.
"It is frustrating, but these are the things you have to go through as a footballer sometimes. It is about how you deal with it and come out the other side."
2002/5 J.Jenas 123/27 12
Big signing from Nottingham Forest, he was captain of the England Youth team. Midfielder who was reluctant to join Newcastle unless they gave him a guarantee of first team football. Robson promised him an opportunity ... and he took it. Won his first full England cap against Australia, and won the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2003. Cost £5m. Made skipper in 2004 when Alan Shearer was injured. Sold to Spurs in August 2005, although the club tried hard to keep him.