With Owen's contract running out..

[Yorkie]

Against who, Yorkie-Geordie?  Owen missed two good chances v. Blackburn, and third half-chance -- I'd say he'd have scored at least one of those on a good day (he was clearly NOT having one), but I still think Newcastle would've let one in.  So I only gave him a 1 point loss on that match -- it's not as if Newcastle's defence have never lost a 1 goal lead Owen gave them (v. Villa, for instance).  I can almost see saying he cost Newcastle 3 points that day, but I can't find the fourth.  His disallowed goal v. Boro was not his fault...Villa he didn't have four chances, so you can't expect him to counteract 4 goals, Liverpool he didn't have 3 chances, ManUtd he certainly didn't have 5 chances...am I missing one? 

 

Man City. Absolutely guilt-edged chance right after half time that he scuffed. Should have had more against Boro n'all, missed a very good chance towards the end of the game, regardless of whether or not that first one should have stood. Blackburn and Man City were the ones i was thinking of in-particular.

[Guest rebel_yell12]

I had forgotten that chance at ManCity -- I stand corrected then (although I'm not sure it would have made a difference in the points). 

[Guest michaelfoster]

If we got an offer of £6m+ IMO it would be better to sell

[Yorkie]

I'm not going to be picky about it or anything.

 

In general, Owen was giving sub-par performances at a time when we were relying on him in-particular... given the other strikers' injury/absence/ineptness.

[Robster]

We cant sell him... if for no better reason that it will be 2 nailed on hat-tricks against us when he finally comes up against us. We all know what his record against us is like. 

[madras]

IF we could be sure of his fitness we'd have to keep him. 15goals in 34 starts in a poor team tells it's own story.(34 starts in 3 years is another story)

 

as always every player is replaceable and it would all depend on who we replaced him with

[merlin]

I reckon he will leave, either for Everton or Man C - and will do well for either of them, regardless of what some on this site think.

He is NOT the player he was even 7 years ago, but still has enough in his locker to be an attribute to either of these sides.

He has never felt at home at SJP and the move has not been a lucky one for him, apart from the fact that he has picked up big money without playing as much as he should have done - also, many fans have never taken to him because he doesn't fit in with their picture of a Newcastle hero. He is too calculating and , dare I say, 'professional' for many NUFC fans ; they prefer the uncomplicated, seemingly open attitude of people like Martins, even though he will NEVER be as effective a striker as Owen has been no matter how some keep going on about his supposed 'potential' which should have been apparent by now - Owen was a World star at 19....

He was honest enough to let it be known that he wanted to return to Liverpool after Madrid, and NUFC needed him at that time just as much as he needed them, so it was a 'marriage of convenience'.

 

His goals may yet be a major factor in saving the club from relegation, and if that does turn out to be the case, he will have been worth every penny, despite his long absences in the past - NONE of which he wanted to happen.

 

As to his replacement, I haven't a clue - I DO know that there has to be one, because if anyone is relying on Martins to score enough goals to keep the club in a prominent position, they will be disappointed.

KK, you can be sure, will NOT make that mistake, but he will have a hell of a job getting a top striker to SJP, and not only do we need one of Owen's type, we also need a replacement Target man as Viduka is clearly getting past top flight football now.

[Guest smarty2006]

I reckon he will leave, either for Everton or Man C - and will do well for either of them, regardless of what some on this site think.

He is NOT the player he was even 7 years ago, but still has enough in his locker to be an attribute to either of these sides.

He has never felt at home at SJP and the move has not been a lucky one for him, apart from the fact that he has picked up big money without playing as much as he should have done - also, many fans have never taken to him because he doesn't fit in with their picture of a Newcastle hero. He is too calculating and , dare I say, 'professional' for many NUFC fans ; they prefer the uncomplicated, seemingly open attitude of people like Martins, even though he will NEVER be as effective a striker as Owen has been no matter how some keep going on about his supposed 'potential' which should have been apparent by now - Owen was a World star at 19....

He was honest enough to let it be known that he wanted to return to Liverpool after Madrid, and NUFC needed him at that time just as much as he needed them, so it was a 'marriage of convenience'.

 

His goals may yet be a major factor in saving the club from relegation, and if that does turn out to be the case, he will have been worth every penny, despite his long absences in the past - NONE of which he wanted to happen.

 

As to his replacement, I haven't a clue - I DO know that there has to be one, because if anyone is relying on Martins to score enough goals to keep the club in a prominent position, they will be disappointed.

KK, you can be sure, will NOT make that mistake, but he will have a hell of a job getting a top striker to SJP, and not only do we need one of Owen's type, we also need a replacement Target man as Viduka is clearly getting past top flight football now.

 

:clap:

Spot on!

[Optimistic Nut]

I'm not going to be picky about it or anything.

 

In general, Owen was giving sub-par performances at a time when we were relying on him in-particular... given the other strikers' injury/absence/ineptness.

 

What about Shearer 97/98? Like Owen, had just came back from main injuries, like Owen, was playing in a sh*t Newcastle side, and scored 2 league goals in about 18-20 games. Don't remember Shearer getting the same criticism.

[Cronky]

Firstly, it seems very premature to talk about renewing his contract when we're not yet safe from relegation. He's also being tried out in a different position, so it makes sense to assess him over the rest of the season. There's a tacit admission in this switch that he's no longer at the very top as a striker.

 

A major problem is his inflated wages, and presumably there's no way he'd re-sign at this stage for less. On the other hand, he's not worth £120 K a week, and I can't see anyone else offering him that amount either. Ashley and Mort are naturally going to ask - why should we pay well above the market rate?

[Ally]

I'm not going to be picky about it or anything.

 

In general, Owen was giving sub-par performances at a time when we were relying on him in-particular... given the other strikers' injury/absence/ineptness.

 

What about Shearer 97/98? Like Owen, had just came back from main injuries, like Owen, was playing in a sh*t Newcastle side, and scored 2 league goals in about 18-20 games. Don't remember Shearer getting the same criticism.

 

Good point. Shearer scored about 30 the year after.

[Optimistic Nut]

I'm not going to be picky about it or anything.

 

In general, Owen was giving sub-par performances at a time when we were relying on him in-particular... given the other strikers' injury/absence/ineptness.

 

What about Shearer 97/98? Like Owen, had just came back from main injuries, like Owen, was playing in a sh*t Newcastle side, and scored 2 league goals in about 18-20 games. Don't remember Shearer getting the same criticism.

 

Good point. Shearer scored about 30 the year after.

 

And although I don't think he'll get that many (but he never has even at his peak), I'd predict Owen to get himself 20 in a Keegan team.

[KaKa]

Owen is a scary guy to commit to long term mainly because of his injury woes, especially with the amount of money we would continue to pay him.

 

However, I guess if Mike Ashley is willing to pay his salary and  put some serious money in the team, so that we are able to build a squad of players that won't miss a Michael Owen when he is injured then that would be fine.

[Tooj]

I'm not going to be picky about it or anything.

 

In general, Owen was giving sub-par performances at a time when we were relying on him in-particular... given the other strikers' injury/absence/ineptness.

 

What about Shearer 97/98? Like Owen, had just came back from main injuries, like Owen, was playing in a sh*t Newcastle side, and scored 2 league goals in about 18-20 games. Don't remember Shearer getting the same criticism.

 

Probably because he was the main reason we got to the Cup Final that year.

[LooneyToonArmy]

I'm not going to be picky about it or anything.

 

In general, Owen was giving sub-par performances at a time when we were relying on him in-particular... given the other strikers' injury/absence/ineptness.

 

What about Shearer 97/98? Like Owen, had just came back from main injuries, like Owen, was playing in a sh*t Newcastle side, and scored 2 league goals in about 18-20 games. Don't remember Shearer getting the same criticism.

 

of course not, he`s a geordie

[Guest Edd]

The way some people talk you'd think Owen should never miss a single chance.  Torres, Drogba, Rooney etc have missed a shit load this year, more than Owen, but it's less noticeable because they'll get 5 or 6 chances a game whereas Owen is lucky to get 2.  I bet his conversion rate is comparable with the others.

[Cronky]

The way some people talk you'd think Owen should never miss a single chance.  Torres, Drogba, Rooney etc have missed a shit load this year, more than Owen, but it's less noticeable because they'll get 5 or 6 chances a game whereas Owen is lucky to get 2.  I bet his conversion rate is comparable with the others.

 

Drogba misses a few, but I'd say the other two were fairly clinical. More to the point, all three are capable of making their own chances, and of creating things for team mates, to a far higher degree than Owen.

 

If a striker is gaining his place up front as a specialist finisher, then his conversion rate is more important.

[TRon]

The way some people talk you'd think Owen should never miss a single chance.  Torres, Drogba, Rooney etc have missed a shit load this year, more than Owen, but it's less noticeable because they'll get 5 or 6 chances a game whereas Owen is lucky to get 2.  I bet his conversion rate is comparable with the others.

 

Drogba misses a few, but I'd say the other two were fairly clinical. More to the point, all three are capable of making their own chances, and of creating things for team mates, to a far higher degree than Owen.

 

If a striker is gaining his place up front as a specialist finisher, then his conversion rate is more important.

 

Isn't that argument redundant now seeing as Owen is playing deeper and playing as a link man?

 

[Ally]

If we sold him (through choice) we'd struggle to find anyone better if you ask me.

[Cronky]

The way some people talk you'd think Owen should never miss a single chance.  Torres, Drogba, Rooney etc have missed a shit load this year, more than Owen, but it's less noticeable because they'll get 5 or 6 chances a game whereas Owen is lucky to get 2.  I bet his conversion rate is comparable with the others.

 

Drogba misses a few, but I'd say the other two were fairly clinical. More to the point, all three are capable of making their own chances, and of creating things for team mates, to a far higher degree than Owen.

 

If a striker is gaining his place up front as a specialist finisher, then his conversion rate is more important.

 

Isn't that argument redundant now seeing as Owen is playing deeper and playing as a link man?

 

 

I take your point, but the exchange was about his worth as a striker, as compared to other strikers.

 

As I said earlier, if his future worth now needs to be decided on his performances in a more withdrawn role in a 4-3-3, then we need to see a fair bit more of him in that position. Everyone seems to be getting carried away, on the basis of one and a half decent-but-not-outstanding performances against teams in the relegation zone.

[Yorkie]

I'm not going to be picky about it or anything.

 

In general, Owen was giving sub-par performances at a time when we were relying on him in-particular... given the other strikers' injury/absence/ineptness.

 

What about Shearer 97/98? Like Owen, had just came back from main injuries, like Owen, was playing in a sh*t Newcastle side, and scored 2 league goals in about 18-20 games. Don't remember Shearer getting the same criticism.

 

Shearer scored 25 goals the season before and 25 goals the season after. And he was a Geordie.

 

You're right, but I don't think my comment about Owen is untrue...

[Unlucky Luque]

I'm not going to be picky about it or anything.

 

In general, Owen was giving sub-par performances at a time when we were relying on him in-particular... given the other strikers' injury/absence/ineptness.

 

What about Shearer 97/98? Like Owen, had just came back from main injuries, like Owen, was playing in a sh*t Newcastle side, and scored 2 league goals in about 18-20 games. Don't remember Shearer getting the same criticism.

 

of course not, he`s a geordie

 

And mongs didn't have access to internet back then

[madras]

The way some people talk you'd think Owen should never miss a single chance.  Torres, Drogba, Rooney etc have missed a s*** load this year, more than Owen, but it's less noticeable because they'll get 5 or 6 chances a game whereas Owen is lucky to get 2.  I bet his conversion rate is comparable with the others.

 

Drogba misses a few, but I'd say the other two were fairly clinical. More to the point, all three are capable of making their own chances, and of creating things for team mates, to a far higher degree than Owen.

 

If a striker is gaining his place up front as a specialist finisher, then his conversion rate is more important.

 

Isn't that argument redundant now seeing as Owen is playing deeper and playing as a link man?

 

 

I take your point, but the exchange was about his worth as a striker, as compared to other strikers.

 

As I said earlier, if his future worth now needs to be decided on his performances in a more withdrawn role in a 4-3-3, then we need to see a fair bit more of him in that position. Everyone seems to be getting carried away, on the basis of one and a half decent-but-not-outstanding performances against teams in the relegation zone.

i don't think his performances need to be seen like that as i'd think keegan is using at as the best he has at his disposal and probably not likely to be carried on to next season.

[Guest Edd]

The way some people talk you'd think Owen should never miss a single chance.  Torres, Drogba, Rooney etc have missed a s*** load this year, more than Owen, but it's less noticeable because they'll get 5 or 6 chances a game whereas Owen is lucky to get 2.  I bet his conversion rate is comparable with the others.

 

Drogba misses a few, but I'd say the other two were fairly clinical. More to the point, all three are capable of making their own chances, and of creating things for team mates, to a far higher degree than Owen.

 

If a striker is gaining his place up front as a specialist finisher, then his conversion rate is more important.

Rooney might be a good player but he's anything but clinical in front of goal as even the ManU supporters I know admit.  And Torres likewise has games where he wastes a load of chances like the 4 easy ones he missed against us at home.

 

My point being some people think that if Owen misses one chance he's finished and needs to be dropped, but in truth conversion rates even for top strikers aren't anywhere near as high as they seem to imagine.

[rocksammy]

you need to keep owen to get better players to commit to the club imo