Owen Speaks ... and he wants to stay

[KaKa]

Future looks bright thanks to Allardyce innovations

 

Michael Owen

 

Maybe you will not believe me if I say I’ve really been enjoying pre-season training, but I’ve got my reasons. For one thing, it is just great to feel like I am going into a campaign fit and well – touch wood – after the injury problems of the past couple of years.

 

Secondly, it has been an eye-opener to see the innovations from Sam Allardyce. We’ve been on a training camp in Austria and from bike rides at 7.30am to Pilates in the afternoon, we’ve been shown a different approach to the traditional slog of preseason.

 

That is just one small but significant part of the multitude of changes happening at Newcastle that give me even more hope that this season can be uplifting for me and the fans after frustrating times. We’ve got a new manager, new staff, new players and a takeover in the boardroom. Any one of those elements would cause excitement at a club and we’ve had a transformation from top to bottom. Crucially, everyone who has arrived appears to have big ambitions.

 

I am sure the manager sees this job as a fantastic opportunity for him to be challenging for trophies. It is not so long ago that this club were up there in the top four and, while no one is making any predictions, at the very least we should be up there going for Europe. Everyone knows that the fans and the stadium give Newcastle the foundations to become one of the biggest clubs in the country.

 

I believe that these can be good times to be at Newcastle, which is why I am more than happy to be here. There has been plenty of speculation about my future, but I can assure the Newcastle fans that I didn’t start any of it.

 

There was a lot of talk from other quarters and my attitude to rumour has always been to ignore it. I don’t really feel that I should be responding all the time to stories in the newspapers and I certainly didn’t want to be forced into making comments. I prefer to let my actions speak for themselves and I just wish there had been more opportunities to show the Newcastle fans what I am capable of. I am sure that is to come this season.

 

Mark Viduka has been away with the Australia squad, so I have not had a chance to see how we might link up, but as an opponent I have always regarded him as one of those players you want on your side. There are days when he looks unplayable, with that combination of physical presence and great skill.

 

With Mark, Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi, I am sure that the manager is excited about his attacking options and he has been working hard to strengthen the rest of the team.

 

I met the manager when I was with the England camp at the end of last season, so we’ve been in a good dialogue all summer. He has brought in his backroom staff from Bolton Wanderers and shown that he intends to do things thoroughly. We’ve not seen him at work on a match-day, but you can see how meticulous he is.

 

Newcastle have not had a good time with injuries over the years and while some people have bemoaned bad luck or even a curse, the manager has set about rectifying it the right way – with hard work and medical science. If you need a chiropractor, he will make sure one is on hand. If a foot is giving you problems, he’ll make sure you are put on to a top-notch podiatrist.

 

I do think that there are distinctions between how English managers – not all, but many – and their foreign counterparts approach the game. I saw that when Gérard Houllier came to Liverpool and transformed the way in which we went about our daily work off the field.

 

From what I have seen, Sam Allardyce is a great combination of British and foreign strengths, a man rooted in the English game who understands its passions but is also open to new ideas. I can’t say that he has been participating in the early morning bike rides, the swimming or the Pilates too much, but then he would argue that delegation and knowing when to step back are important parts of management.

 

Hopefully all that toil has put us in good shape when the season kicks off because there have been too many years of underachievement on Tyneside. This club have so much potential. I want to help to realise it.

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/newcastle/article2062173.ece

 

[Guest nyscooby]

No one seems to have kicked the NUFC door in to get him away like.....

 

$$$$$$

$$$$$$

$$$$$$

 

The only reason he is staying, see above

[Guest Mixon]

Michael Owen wrote this himself?

[BlufPurdi]

Yes.

 

Good news, couldn't give a shit if it was money, which it isn't.  The money wasn't enough, as he would have happily left, apparently, if someone came in.  It's the new methods and all the rest that's kept him here.

 

[Thespence]

KAKA - Your on these newslinks as soon as the IT gimps @ Wapping press 'SEND'.

[Parky]

See if he's still here in Feb.

[NSG]

Fan-fucking-tastic!

[Guest Mixon]

Very good news, I have to say.

[midds]

About time he came out and said something. Fingers crossed he stays fit and bangs them in.

 

Wanted him to come to a decision regaring his future either way, and if he's decided to stay then let's get behind him. 

[TRon]

 

Future looks bright thanks to Allardyce innovations

 

Michael Owen

 

Maybe you will not believe me if I say I’ve really been enjoying pre-season training, but I’ve got my reasons. For one thing, it is just great to feel like I am going into a campaign fit and well – touch wood – after the injury problems of the past couple of years.

 

Secondly, it has been an eye-opener to see the innovations from Sam Allardyce. We’ve been on a training camp in Austria and from bike rides at 7.30am to Pilates in the afternoon, we’ve been shown a different approach to the traditional slog of preseason.

 

That is just one small but significant part of the multitude of changes happening at Newcastle that give me even more hope that this season can be uplifting for me and the fans after frustrating times. We’ve got a new manager, new staff, new players and a takeover in the boardroom. Any one of those elements would cause excitement at a club and we’ve had a transformation from top to bottom. Crucially, everyone who has arrived appears to have big ambitions.

 

I am sure the manager sees this job as a fantastic opportunity for him to be challenging for trophies. It is not so long ago that this club were up there in the top four and, while no one is making any predictions, at the very least we should be up there going for Europe. Everyone knows that the fans and the stadium give Newcastle the foundations to become one of the biggest clubs in the country.

 

I believe that these can be good times to be at Newcastle, which is why I am more than happy to be here. There has been plenty of speculation about my future, but I can assure the Newcastle fans that I didn’t start any of it.

 

There was a lot of talk from other quarters and my attitude to rumour has always been to ignore it. I don’t really feel that I should be responding all the time to stories in the newspapers and I certainly didn’t want to be forced into making comments. I prefer to let my actions speak for themselves and I just wish there had been more opportunities to show the Newcastle fans what I am capable of. I am sure that is to come this season.

 

Mark Viduka has been away with the Australia squad, so I have not had a chance to see how we might link up, but as an opponent I have always regarded him as one of those players you want on your side. There are days when he looks unplayable, with that combination of physical presence and great skill.

 

With Mark, Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi, I am sure that the manager is excited about his attacking options and he has been working hard to strengthen the rest of the team.

 

I met the manager when I was with the England camp at the end of last season, so we’ve been in a good dialogue all summer. He has brought in his backroom staff from Bolton Wanderers and shown that he intends to do things thoroughly. We’ve not seen him at work on a match-day, but you can see how meticulous he is.

 

Newcastle have not had a good time with injuries over the years and while some people have bemoaned bad luck or even a curse, the manager has set about rectifying it the right way – with hard work and medical science. If you need a chiropractor, he will make sure one is on hand. If a foot is giving you problems, he’ll make sure you are put on to a top-notch podiatrist.

 

I do think that there are distinctions between how English managers – not all, but many – and their foreign counterparts approach the game. I saw that when Gérard Houllier came to Liverpool and transformed the way in which we went about our daily work off the field.

 

From what I have seen, Sam Allardyce is a great combination of British and foreign strengths, a man rooted in the English game who understands its passions but is also open to new ideas. I can’t say that he has been participating in the early morning bike rides, the swimming or the Pilates too much, but then he would argue that delegation and knowing when to step back are important parts of management.

 

Hopefully all that toil has put us in good shape when the season kicks off because there have been too many years of underachievement on Tyneside. This club have so much potential. I want to help to realise it.

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/newcastle/article2062173.ece

 

 

[Guest]

At last!

[KaKa]

KAKA - Your on these newslinks as soon as the IT gimps & Wapping press 'SEND'.

 

I tend to read the mornings papers before going to bed.

 

Sounds like good stuff from Owen. What is really good to hear is that he seems to have really got on well with Allardyce which is very important. This is good enough fo rme for now and lets just hope we can get a good start to the season and if we do I wouldn't be surprised to see him re-sign for us with no clauses.

 

Here's hoping ...

 

[Nobby]

Michael Owen wrote this himself?

 

yes he writes for the times

[SEMTEX]

Shocked tbh.

[Dave]

Great news.

[Thespence]

Michael Owen wrote this himself?

 

Matt Dickinson is  MO ghost writer.

 

 

Matt Dickinson

Matt Dickinson has worked for The Times since 1997 and is now its chief football correspondent. His awards include Sports Reporter of the Year in 2001, which he won after his famous interview with Glenn Hoddle, the former England manager. He worked with David Beckham on My World, the player’s autobiography, and has acted as ghostwriter for various England internationals, including Gary Neville and Michael Owen.

[Guest Morph]

Couldn't care less if it's about the money or not, he's a class player and we will certainly benefit from his services in the coming year.

[Guest Mixon]

Michael Owen wrote this himself?

 

Matt Dickinson is his MO ghost writer.

 

 

Matt Dickinson

Matt Dickinson has worked for The Times since 1997 and is now its chief football correspondent. His awards include Sports Reporter of the Year in 2001, which he won after his famous interview with Glenn Hoddle, the former England manager. He worked with David Beckham on My World, the players autobiography, and has acted as ghostwriter for various England internationals, including Gary Neville and Michael Owen.

 

 

I'm gonna go to bed now.

[Nicky]

About bloody time.

[Dave]

In fact now i've read that it's fucking brilliant to hear the innovations Allaradyce is bringing to our club, and the fact that a world renowned player like Owen is impressed makes it even better.

 

[Guest Alan Shearer 9]

Obvious he would stay with us when none of the top 4 came in for him. He didn't do anything to start speculaiton, but he didn't do anything to stop it either, call me cynical, or call me logical but don't call me a wallybopper.

[The QuichÃ]

Finally  . Great news and I can feel like my money getting his name on the back of my shirt wasnt wasted. I look forward to seeing how him and Viduka can team up nowtoo.

[KaKa]

On another note ... I think it will do him a lot of good having come out and said this and made a committment. Now all the speculation is gone for the meantime and he can just focus 100% on playing football and scoring goals.

 

I bet it's a huge relief for him. It too a while but I think it's genuine which is what matters tbh.

[Thespence]

On another note ... I think it will do him a lot of good having come out and said this and made a committment. Now all the speculation is gone for the meantime and he can just focus 100% on playing football and scoring goals.[/quote]

 

I doubt he will. Football is his job, his passion & love is horse racing.

 

[Turnbull2000]

Don't like him, don't trust him. I don't believe he wants to be here, but perhaps no one else is willing to gamble on his fitness and high salary like we did. Rightly or wrongly, I feel a great deal of apathy towards Owen.