With Owen's contract running out..

[Baggio]

When was the last time Owen scored 20 goals in a season in all competitions? Now he's almost certain to do it for us even though we're not even in Europe? Yeah right. As for no shit teams in the Premiership, I've been watching one all season.

[Decky]

When was the last time Owen scored 20 goals in a season in all competitions? Now he's almost certain to do it for us even though we're not even in Europe? Yeah right. As for no shit teams in the Premiership, I've been watching one all season.

 

5 in his last 8 is it? Next season we will be more settled and have a better team, meaning he will get more service. IMO Owen is still a 20 goal a season forward and he is proving it right now, to say other wise is just ignorance.

[Baggio]

Going by your way of working it out Decky Defoe will get 40 in the league next season.

[Decky]

Going by your way of working it out Decky Defoe will get 40 in the league next season.

 

Yeah but Defoe's career pre Portsmouth isnt as good as Owen's pre Newcastle

[Isegrim]

Providing we can keep him in the current state of fitness and form he is a player worth hanging on to. He is doing a good job as a captain and having a player of his calibre (even if foremost by his name) can be a decent bait to attract other players if you can't offer them European football or the glamour of London.

[Baggio]

What has pre career got to do with anything? Owen hasn't scored 20 goals in all competitions for what? The best part of 6 years? He's also managed 6 goals in his last 20 games. How people can say he's certain to score 20 for us really is unrealistic.

[Mowen]

Providing we can keep him in the current state of fitness and form he is a player worth hanging on to. He is doing a good job as a captain and having a player of his calibre (even if foremost by his name) can be a decent bait to attract other players if you can't offer them European football or the glamour of London.

 

I agree. It would also cost a shitload to upgrade him at the moment.

[Decky]

What has pre career got to do with anything? Owen hasn't scored 20 goals in all competitions for what? The best part of 6 years? He's also managed 6 goals in his last 20 games. How people can say he's certain to score 20 for us really is unrealistic.

 

Im just saying he has been of that quality in the past. Also he was coming back to fitness, playing under Big Sam/Pearson/Keegan when he was finding his feet again. Now we seem to have a settled team and Owen is banging them in. Looking at the performances we are seeing now, i honestly believe next season if he avoids a major injury and with a more settled and better team, he will easily hit 15 or 20 plus goals.

[Guest johnson293]

Owen excited by Potential

 

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3372333,00.html

 

Newcastle striker Michael Owen has paid tribute to Kevin Keegan and predicted exciting times ahead at St James' Park.

 

The Magpies have eased their relegation fears with two successive wins and Owen believes the improved results are down to Keegan.

 

Owen, who has scored five goals in eight games under Keegan, has backed the Magpies to improve next season.

 

"It will take time. You can't just come in and wave a magic wand, but it's probably been better it's happened this way. It dampened down expectations straight away," Owen told The Mirror.

 

"If the manager had come in and we'd won every game, everyone would probably think we were going to win the league next year. It's taken a bit of time for the manager to get his ideas across, but we're starting to get it together and full credit to him.

 

"To play such an attacking line up as we did away to Tottenham and for the last couple of games has worked a treat so far.

 

Positive

 

"He's positive, he instils confidence in everyone and we're reaping the rewards for that now.

 

"We've had a poor season overall, let's not forget that, but when things go badly the fans still turn up in their droves and, when you're winning, there's no place like Newcastle.

 

"It makes it much better when you go out with your friends and family and feel good about yourself. The whole place will be buzzing.

 

"Hopefully, we can keep giving them good results until the end of the season and then it will be exciting waiting for next season.

 

"I'm sure the manager will add to the squad. It will be exciting during the summer."

 

 

 

Think those are some of the best/most positive comments I've seen from Owen since he joined us.

 

Perhaps he is enjoying his football under KK, and genuinely excited about the prospects here next season.

 

Acid test will be if a Champions League qualifying team comes in for him though!

 

Would love to think he'd be excited enough to stick with us for next season... at least!

[Isegrim]

What has pre career got to do with anything? Owen hasn't scored 20 goals in all competitions for what? The best part of 6 years? He's also managed 6 goals in his last 20 games. How people can say he's certain to score 20 for us really is unrealistic.

What is unrealistic in expecting a player with Owen's stats to score 20 goals in an injury free season? Despite all the various problems he has (statistically) scored almost in every other game for Newcastle. If there is a player in the current squad you expect to score 20 goals then it's Owen.

[Kev]

i used to slate michael owen, but now i think hes back and fully fit and scoring goals again, works well, puts 110% every match and even plays with a smile on his face for once, also claps the fans at away games! never used too

and ive never wanted a player to sign a new contact as much as michael owen, can we get rid of his get out clause if thats still on his contract ? £9million or something?

 

hopefully he wants a future here under kk as our captain

[Shearergol]

i used to slate michael owen, but now i think hes back and fully fit and scoring goals again, works well, puts 110% every match and even plays with a smile on his face for once, also claps the fans at away games! never used too

and ive never wanted a player to sign a new contact as much as michael owen, can we get rid of his get out clause if thats still on his contract ? £9million or something?

 

hopefully he wants a future here under kk as our captain

 

Didn't Mort say that the clause no longer existed?

[Kev]

i used to slate michael owen, but now i think hes back and fully fit and scoring goals again, works well, puts 110% every match and even plays with a smile on his face for once, also claps the fans at away games! never used too

and ive never wanted a player to sign a new contact as much as michael owen, can we get rid of his get out clause if thats still on his contract ? £9million or something?

 

hopefully he wants a future here under kk as our captain

 

Didn't Mort say that the clause no longer existed?

not sure, thats why im asking 

[Dr Venkman]

i used to slate michael owen, but now i think hes back and fully fit and scoring goals again, works well, puts 110% every match and even plays with a smile on his face for once, also claps the fans at away games! never used too

and ive never wanted a player to sign a new contact as much as michael owen, can we get rid of his get out clause if thats still on his contract ? £9million or something?

 

hopefully he wants a future here under kk as our captain

 

Didn't Mort say that the clause no longer existed?

not sure, thats why im asking 

 

i'm 99% sure he did, although it this point i dont really think it matters, having a year left on your contract may aswell be a release clause anyway. of course there is always the likelihood he'll ask for one to be put in a new contract

[Guest diddimz]

reassuring comments from owen there, i would be over the moon if he signed a new contract. Sounds like he is really enjoying it now, cant blame, dont think theres many players that wouldnt enjoy playing under keegan.

[STM]

I thought Owen had past it but he's changed my mind.

 

I don't think he will ever be the same type of player again but he can still be the goalscorer, which is great news for the club. If fit for a whole season he would get us 20 goals, no doubt doubt in my mind, along with Martins getting 15 we'd finish in the top half.

 

My main issue is that i worry Owen will get injured again very soon, there's always one around the corner. Therefore in the summer i'd be looking for an Eidur Gudjohnsen esq player to add to the squad in case of an absence to any of the front three (assuming KK intends to play that way).

[Taylor Swift]

If someone makes a bid of £10m+, we'd be pretty stupid to refuse it.

 

Decky, you said he's in good form and all that and I agree, and of course he's showing himself to be a good all-round footballer but he's NEVER scored 20 league goals in a season in his career. He's just not a durable player that we can depend on for a whole season. He'll always pick up little niggling injuries and this injury-free run that he's had is his best for something like 4 years - it says a lot about Owen's injury-proneness that 16 games in a row is his best run for 4 years.

 

It's unbelievable that having been called 'one of the best strikers in the world, 'top quality', 'his left foot would cost £30m' (Houllier) and having won the Ballon d'Or, Michael Owen has never scored 20 league goals in one season.

[TRon]

I don't think anyone will be making daft offers when he's in the last year of his contract. Even though he's playing well right now, I would ideally look to get a really top playmaker in that position for next season, because I'm never too confident Owen will stay injury-free. Against that, at least he looks enthusiastic about being here now, and if Keegan really wants him then his judgement should be backed.

[Guest rebel_yell12]

If someone makes a bid of £10m+, we'd be pretty stupid to refuse it.

 

Decky, you said he's in good form and all that and I agree, and of course he's showing himself to be a good all-round footballer but he's NEVER scored 20 league goals in a season in his career. He's just not a durable player that we can depend on for a whole season. He'll always pick up little niggling injuries and this injury-free run that he's had is his best for something like 4 years - it says a lot about Owen's injury-proneness that 16 games in a row is his best run for 4 years.

 

It's unbelievable that having been called 'one of the best strikers in the world, 'top quality', 'his left foot would cost £30m' (Houllier) and having won the Ballon d'Or, Michael Owen has never scored 20 league goals in one season.

 

The bold bit rather answers your final point.  Aside from his first season at Liverpool, when he won the Golden Boot despite only 18 (I think) goals in the league, has Owen ever had a season that wasn't interrupted by injuries?  Even the Treble Year, with the FA Cup victory, Owen was out a good portion of the mid-season from his bad head injury at Derby County.  Since he first done his hamstring, Owen's had problems.  If he doesn't catch Charlton for England, it'll be because of injuries, imo.  The fact that he's STILL in the top 10 ever Premiership scorers, proves that he's been consistent when he's fit, though.

[Happy Face]

Played his longest run of games for the club and scored 2 in the last 3 games.

 

I reckon he can finish the season with 15 goals if he stays fit, which would be no mean feat considering injuries.

 

At least, that should be his target.

 

If he does, I'd renew.

 

You reckon he can hit nine goals in eleven games? For us?

 

 

Ooooooooooh

 

Just 2 short.

[Nobody]

Played his longest run of games for the club and scored 2 in the last 3 games.

 

I reckon he can finish the season with 15 goals if he stays fit, which would be no mean feat considering injuries.

 

At least, that should be his target.

 

If he does, I'd renew.

 

You reckon he can hit nine goals in eleven games? For us?

 

 

Ooooooooooh

 

Just 2 short.

So, no new contract for Owen then?

[Shearer9]

Still not sure I really want to keep him around, don't think he'll ultimatley flourish in that AMC role, but Keegan will definitley keep him.

[Happy Face]

Played his longest run of games for the club and scored 2 in the last 3 games.

 

I reckon he can finish the season with 15 goals if he stays fit, which would be no mean feat considering injuries.

 

At least, that should be his target.

 

If he does, I'd renew.

 

You reckon he can hit nine goals in eleven games? For us?

 

 

Ooooooooooh

 

Just 2 short.

So, no new contract for Owen then?

 

Not on the same wage. 

[Dave]

Played his longest run of games for the club and scored 2 in the last 3 games.

 

I reckon he can finish the season with 15 goals if he stays fit, which would be no mean feat considering injuries.

 

At least, that should be his target.

 

If he does, I'd renew.

 

You reckon he can hit nine goals in eleven games? For us?

 

 

Ooooooooooh

 

Just 2 short.

 

Not bad.

[Guest rebel_yell12]

Played his longest run of games for the club and scored 2 in the last 3 games.

 

I reckon he can finish the season with 15 goals if he stays fit, which would be no mean feat considering injuries.

 

At least, that should be his target.

 

If he does, I'd renew.

 

You reckon he can hit nine goals in eleven games? For us?

 

 

Ooooooooooh

 

Just 2 short.

So, no new contract for Owen then?

 

Not on the same wage. 

 

Then you won't keep him.  Owen can bugger off on a free after next season, and get a signing bonus at whatever UEFA-challenger club needs a top-quality striker.  Those clubs, with no transfer fee, wouldn't have a problem managing his wages at 80k per week (his "cut" wage at NUFC) and he'd be at a club that might actually win something.  Even better for him if it's in the NW, as he can sell his second home and the helicopter and save the money, thus making up his loss in wages.  Same if he's sold this summer, though at least NUFC would recoup something for him, even if a meagre 7 mil (and Smith cost 6 mil...who sets these fees?  It's utter insanity). 

 

See, here's what I don't understand:  why do people think Owen should/would accept a cut?  I wouldn't take a 30% cut in my wages.  If I were offered such a deal, after finishing successfully on a major project for my employers (even if I'd had a serious illness and been out before that, say), I would say "F*** you" and find a different employer.  Footballers are men too, with just as much (if not more) pride than any of the rest of us, and cutting wages is an insult.  If I were in that position, I'd rather take the cut at a NEW employer than for the people who just spit in my face after I busted my arse for them.  Especially if the new employer were a better one (more prestigious).  Michael Owen is not Alan Shearer -- he has no ties to the Northeast other than his paycheque.  Take that away and...what's keeping him here?  It's not the scintillating football, or the bright prospects for his international career.  His family lives in Wales, he said as much in a recent interview, and he commutes into Newcastle for work. 

 

Why insult him?  Cutting his pay is an insult, which clearly says "you aren't worth what you're on, we don't really want you to stay."  Without Owen, the new formation never would have even been thought up, and Newcastle might've been relegated, or at least further down the league.  He's the top scorer in both League and total goals.  He's captain.  He's the best and most prestigious player at the club.  He's finally fit (run of what, 20 matches?) and has scored 7 in the last 9.  If the club turn around and offer him an insulting contract it only makes the club look bad.  Especially since, let's be honest, Michael Owen is made of Teflon.  Nothing sticks to this lad -- just enough rough edges to him (the horses and bit of gambling) to make him human, but he's so clean-cut he squeaks and he's an international and national favourite.

 

Also -- a replacement could cost more than keeping him.  Keeping him on the same terms would cost the club approximately 20-22 million over four years, correct?  A replacement, if Crouch is being offered for 15 mil and Bent went last season for 17 mil, will cost between 12-15 mil in transfer fee, AT LEAST.  So, then, that player would have to agree to wages of less than 7 million over 4 years, which comes to less than 34k/week -- just to break EVEN.  This doesn't account for the loss of revenue from Owen, who moves a lot of kit internationally (and nationally) as well as providing royalties for the club for things like PES2008. 

 

All of that doesn't even add into the fact that Keegan -- the "messiah" manager -- has said Owen was to be his first and most important signing.  If he doesn't get that, it could disrupt the club's relationship with Keegan, so there's the risk of the whole mess of ANOTHER new manager. 

 

For f***s sake, just pay the lad his extra money.  Should he have been paid 100k/week to begin with?  Probably not.  But cutting it just doesn't make sense, in any way. Not financially, nor in terms of public relations.  I can't imagine Ashley became a billionaire by not seeing the simplicity of this issue.