Buhlertal: Michael Owen needs better service from England's midfielders to start scoring at the World Cup, according to Steven Gerrard.
Lacking sharpness after a long-term foot injury, Owen has clearly struggled in Germany and been substituted in both England's Group B games before the hour mark.
Gerrard, himself a midfielder and a former team mate in Owen's years at Liverpool, told a news conference on Saturday: "The service can be better."
"Michael thrives on through-balls from midfield and crosses from out wide so I think it's down to us midfielders to create more chances.
"He's had a couple of decent chances so far, but we know if we improve the service, Michael will get goals."
Owen failed to take chances in either their 1-0 win over Paraguay or Thursday's 2-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago which booked England into the second round.
Defending a striker with 36 goals in 79 appearances for his country, Gerrard said: "Michael's come under a bit of criticism of late because he hasn't scored in the two games.
Fellow midfielder Frank Lampard also had full confidence in Owen, who announced his arrival on the biggest stage with a superb solo goal against Argentina at the 1998 finals.
"If one of Michael's chances had gone in, we'd all be saying what we already know - that Michael's a world-class goalscorer who scores when it matters," Lampard said.
"Michael's never let us down before and he won't let us down.
"The main pressure Michael will be under will be what he puts on himself. He gets upset when he's not scoring goals. That's what makes him what he is. He's going to be desperate to get them and I'm sure he will do."
Owen was quizzed after Thursday's game over whether he feared being axed for Tuesday's final group match with Sweden, now that Wayne Rooney was back from injury.
"No. What will be will be," Owen told reporters.
"If I do not play, I do not play. I am reasonably pleased with my form, you always want to score and play well, I am no different to anyone else."
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