Stu Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Owen's latest offering in this morning's Times: Want to know how I celebrated my first goal in a year? Well, when I walked off the pitch in Tallinn I was told that I was required for a drugs test. There was no way I was going to be “performing” for a good half-hour, so I had to get showered in a cubicle while an official watched me. I wasn’t joining in any backslapping in the dressing-room and I wouldn’t have been making a big deal out of getting back on the scoresheet in any case. I read somewhere that I celebrated the goal against Estonia as though it was nothing special, that I was just back doing my job as if I’d never been away. And that’s how it felt to me. I scored a goal – a pleasing one, given that it’s been a while – but it is not as if I felt this massive rush of relief. I didn’t need to find the back of the net to make me think: “Wow, I’m back.” I’ve been proving that to myself every day in the months since I started my rehab. Is he ever coming back? Will he ever be as good? Those were debates for other people. It was lodged right in the back of my mind that I was close to passing Gary Lineker’s record of 22 competitive goals for England, although I had to be reminded of it after the game. It is another nice milestone to pass because Gary was an idol of mine as a kid. It was great just being in the England set-up again. There had been all this talk of gloom and doom postAndorra, but it wasn’t like that at all on my return. The fans were right behind us from the B game against Albania a couple of weeks ago and there was a real buzz about the squad before and after the match against Brazil last Friday. No one is going to get carried away on the back of that draw at Wembley and a win over Estonia, but coming into the set-up for the first time since last summer’s World Cup, it was reassuring to see the sense of purpose among players and staff. It has been a bumpy year, but no one will convince me that, at full strength, this squad is anything other than extremely capable. We’ve not often played to our potential, but the knowledge that we can do much better is what keeps us all motivated. Some people will point to the players and say that they are the same ones who underachieved at the World Cup finals, but I think everyone knows that we could have done better in Germany. Truly outstanding club players do not always bring that same quality to bear for their country, but Steve McClaren and the coaches are working very hard to make it click. The manager has shown that he is adaptable by bringing David Beckham back into the squad and, despite a lot of critics saying that it could never work, I think he got Stevie Gerrard and Frank Lampard dovetailing very effectively against Brazil and Estonia. David has returned just as you knew he would – with the same impeccable delivery. I could have staked my life on his cross reaching me at the far post against Estonia and, whether he is playing in Spain or America, you know that he won’t lose the ability to strike perfect passes and set-pieces. Qualification is in our hands and we’ll resume in the autumn with optimism. Four out of our five remaining games are at Wembley and the lads loved the place when we played against Brazil. The pitch was much better than I’d been led to believe and the atmosphere was fantastic. We feel at home already. Now it is holiday time, but I’ll be keeping an eye on what is unfolding at Newcastle United. It is a period of change, from the boardroom to the dressing-room, but everything points to renewed ambition. On the back of my goal, I will head off in good spirits and that’s probably good news for the folk around me because I am not always the most relaxing of companions. I need to stay busy, although that’s not a problem now I’ve got children. We’ll have a good break and before I know it I’ll be back and looking to make up for lost time. There were no mad celebrations from me on Wednesday because I know that goal will be one of many. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/michael_owen/article1901462.ece No doubt a fair few people will come out with the 'he's not coming out and committing himself to the club' line, but to me, it looks like he's sensibly waiting to let the dust settle on the takeover and Allardyce's plans. At least he can see we're making positive moves to back up the positive talk, something which has been missing in his SJP career so far. I wouldn't be surprised if Owen would like to see the back of Shepherd too, I get the impression he was promised certain things by the chairman which obviously haven't been true. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 How about, "I owe Newcastle United at least a full season so I will be back and ready for pre season training" Nevermind keeping an eye on how things progres. The little C*nt. In or Out you little bastard? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowndsy Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 owen for bellamy...? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skirge Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 owen for bellamy...? Please no, no no no!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Magpiecn Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 owen for bellamy...? A nightmare.Not again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowndsy Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 well owen obviously doesnt want to be here... and bellamy "apparently" does.. so why not. bar the fact bellamy is a cuunt etc..owen is no better in a "different manner" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robster Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 I think its time we just moved onto another subject because all this speculation is just increasing that bad feeling towards him and if he does end up staying, we need to give him as much support ans every other player. We are as bad as the tabloids for second guessing what he is thinking Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 I think its time we just moved onto another subject because all this speculation is just increasing that bad feeling towards him and if he does end up staying, we need to give him as much support ans every other player. We are as bad as the tabloids for second guessing what he is thinking Spot on. Newsflash - he's a modern day professional footballer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest optimistic nit Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 i'd love to see bellers back at the club. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baggio Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 owen for bellamy...? Only at Newcastle. Sell one for £4 million and buy the other for £16 million, 2 years later we swap them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haz Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 You are right in that sense but really; should he be even considering ambition at all? He owes or goes. Simple as. It rather looks as if hes trying to be convinced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontownman Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Still a very possible outcome to the Owen situation. Shame Owen is three times the player Bellamy will ever be, we will make a significant loss on him whenever we sell him mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hodgson09 Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 He owes us nothing, NUFC owes us. Fucking hell if you were Owen would you want to be at NUFC, he's had rotten luck since he joined, the team slipped to 13th place, the club was run by a muppett, who appointed muppett managers. However things have now changed, the muppetts are gone, we have a top manager, the potential to sign quality players, and a renewed ambition that matches his own. He wants to win trophies like any ambitious player, he can do that here now and he gets a top wage, if he were to leave it would be to Liverpool and I wouldn't begrudge him that it is his team. But I doubt Rafa wants him, so he will stay here IMO. Unless Liverpool come in for him there is no reason why he would leave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Renewed? He's played like four games. Sounds like his agent's phone isn't ringing and he's starting to convince himself that his immediate future is with us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallowgate Toon Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 well owen obviously doesnt want to be here... and bellamy "apparently" does.. so why not. bar the fact bellamy is a cuunt etc..owen is no better in a "different manner" bellamy is shit Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Bellamy is a better footballer to be honest yeah Owen can finish better and is more useful to a great team anyday of the week Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thespence Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Now it is holiday time, but I’ll be keeping an eye on what is unfolding at Newcastle United. It is a period of change, from the boardroom to the dressing-room, but everything points to renewed ambition. That seems fair to me. Also, we signed Barton because of his clause, if we lose Mick O because of his clause thats way it goes. IT TOUGH, BUT IN SAM WE TRUST! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now