latest news
WHELAN: ZAKI IS SHEAR CLASS
Zaki - praised by Whelan.
New Premier League goalscoring sensation Amr Zaki has been likened to Alan Shearer following his stunning start to the season.
Zaki has taken the top flight by storm after Wigan boss Steve Bruce proved patience is a virtue.
Bruce spent months negotiating a deal for the Egypt international, who has scored five goals in as many games since agreeing a season-long loan deal from Zamalek.
Wigan owner Dave Whelan concedes to being stunned when he heard of Bruce's interest in Zaki, but has since been bowled over by the 25-year-old who reminds him of former England and Newcastle star Shearer.
"When you look at this lad and his build, he is the same height, weight, everything about him, he is like Alan Shearer," insisted Whelan.
"He has the same confidence when he gets the ball, he knows where the goal is, he doesn't need to look up, he has this instinct.
"Strikers like that have an instinct as to where the goal is. You can't describe it, you can't give it to anybody.
"Certain people have it and Alan Shearer was one who had it in abundance, and this lad is exactly the same.
"He has this ability to score goals. Sometimes there is no danger, but then, wham, and the ball is in the back of the net."
Whelan has not been too surprised at how quickly Zaki has adjusted to the demands of the English game now he has seen him in action.
"When the boss first mentioned him, I thought: 'A striker from Egypt? Very unusual,"' added Whelan.
"But Steve told me that he possessed the best goalscoring record in international football at present, and again I thought, 'From Egypt? No'. But Steve was correct.
"And when you watch him, he will not give in, he will not give up. He fights and runs, and he is wonderful."
Not so wonderful in Whelan's eyes is Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, who has earned a stinging rebuke from the 72-year-old.
Whelan feels Ashley was wrong to have bought the Magpies just over a year ago, and is now deserving of the fans' frustrations vented of late, especially in the wake of Kevin Keegan's departure.
"I know Mike Ashley quite well as I was running JJB (Sports) when he was with Sports Direct, and he is a bit unusual," remarked Whelan.
"He is a very good retailer, but at managing a football club, no.
"Especially with him being a Tottenham supporter and then going up to Newcastle, a club that is a different kettle of fish to most in the land.
"The fans up there eat, breathe and live for one thing, and that is Newcastle United.
"Unless you put your whole heart into it, are a 100 per cent Geordie and are backing them, then they will give you some stick.
"He has got it, and he deserves it."
