Comments on: Michael Owen Leaving Newcastle – You’ve Got To Be Kidding.

By: Week in Review: Newcastle United are hurting, and it’s their own fault | SoccerLens

Mon, 14 May 2007 09:50:16 +0000

[...] Michael Owen leaving Newcastle – you’ve GOT to be kidding – he can’t leave yet, can he? Out of ‘honour’, he’ll stay at least one more year and stay injury-free, because another injury-wracked season could end his career. [...]

By: Shaz

Shaz — Fri, 11 May 2007 09:06:45 +0000

I think it serves Newcastle right for going after a player that didn’t want to play for them.It was obvious to everyone.Newcastle ’s bid stopped him returning to Liverpool, i think it is logical that he would want to play for a team that has a chance of winning something and Newcastle will never be able to offer him that.I would imagine his two year injury nighmare was quickly followed by a wake up call that told him he needed to save his career.Let’s face it,it can’t be at Newcastle!

By: Kein

Kein — Fri, 11 May 2007 07:16:57 +0000

1. I think that Owen himself not commenting the situation to the media tells the story. When he has something positive to say, he is been quoted in every press..but the silence might mean he is either thinking about moving to ManU (or somewhere else) or he has already decided to do it.

2. Freddy Shepherd’s angry comments to the media must mean that he knows something that we don’t. Why would get pissed off at Owen if he wants to stay or hasn’t expressed any desire to leave. Or maybe Shepherd is a total moran with his comments (he has already proved that he is…).

I’m not sure how many big teams want him though..he is very injury prone player. I think he should show some loyalty considering all the investment we have put in him!

By: shaz

shaz — Thu, 10 May 2007 12:11:57 +0000

I think owen should leave, i want him back at Liverpool even though it is unlikely rafa would go for him.He deserves better than to play for Newcastle.Last two Newcastle games have been a amusing watch.Their defending is woeful,anything michael would achieve would be guaranteed to be undone at the other end with such comical defending!

By: Ed Harrison

Ed Harrison — Wed, 09 May 2007 20:50:59 +0000

I’m sure ManU will come calling in the summer.
But I just cannot believe Michael would have the guile to leave.
No proof that he doesn’t like it at Newcastle – and with new manager a chance of real successin the future – well maybe .
If he does leave – you’re right – we don’t want him.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 09 May 2007 20:32:06 +0000

I am a Newcastle fan a big fan. Michael will leave Newcastle if Manchester united come calling doubtless of that. He must not make the mistake of Shearer who may have been a better striker and perhaps more illustrious than ever had he gone to Manchester united. Instead what has loyalty got Shearer. Nothing to show for all those years at Newcastle. Not a single Medal barring the losers medals from the FA cup finals. For Owens Sake and For Newcastle’s sake we do not want a player who has no interest in playing for us. Owen and Rooney sounds like a good partnership. Just let Michael Go please we do not want to have to fear this every summer no do we? IF you are not a big Champions league challenging club then there is no such thing a player loyalty.

By: Ed Harrison

Ed Harrison — Wed, 09 May 2007 14:37:11 +0000

We’ve paid him $9M in wages for 12 games played over two seasons – and if we sell him we lose $8M in transfer fees.
If he leaves – he shouldn’t bother to return to St James Park -ever.
But I don’t think he will leave.

By: Mats

Mats — Wed, 09 May 2007 14:07:50 +0000

Lets face it – Man Utd is THE CLUB as far as success goes ? up for CL cup and PL trophies every year… A player may get one chance in life to join them. See it from his side if he does take the decison to leave…After all, fotball is a job to most footballers these days… Not his fault that he got injured and is now back and attractive on the market…

By: Ed Harrison

Ed Harrison — Wed, 09 May 2007 12:59:04 +0000

Barry – see above comment – but i’m still hoping he can be big hit at Newcastle.

By: Ed Harrison

Ed Harrison — Wed, 09 May 2007 12:58:10 +0000

Mike – agree completely.
But if Michael did trigger the clause he better not come back to St. James – because he would have shown himself to be very selfish – hope there’s still some loyalty with him after all the club has done for him.
Not the first time i’ve been accused of being too optimistic regarding Newcastle

By: Barry Bethel

Barry Bethel — Wed, 09 May 2007 12:05:45 +0000

I’m afraid your faith in Owen staying is pretty unsoundly based. Like most footballers, Micheal Owen’s number one priority is er…himself. He joined Newcastle as an escape route with a big payday rather than a desire to play at St.James’. Since leaving Liverpool 3 years ago he has played just 34 games and has seen his career continue a decline that was evident in his final season at Liverpool. Your best hope of him staying is that even at Â£9m, top clubs will realise that there are better options for fitter, more effective strikers than investing in a player whose main sporting interest is now of an equine nature.

By: Mike Lewis

Mike Lewis — Wed, 09 May 2007 10:45:14 +0000

You don’t seem to understand this clause in his contract. It says that if Newcastle should fail to qualify for Europe the club have no choice but to allow him to leave for the quoted price (apparently Â£9M, which is very different to $9M by the way). Of course, Owen himself still has the final say, and if he feels he owes the club and decides to stay he will do. I’m a big Newcastle fan myself and hope that he stays but i think you’re putting a rather optimistic spin on this story without having the facts.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 09 May 2007 09:50:13 +0000

Appaarently the clause is triggered if we haven’t gotten into Europe by the end of season 06/07. That would make sense considering he would have had two official seasons with club, with nobody predicting the two major injuries he has suffered. Either way, I doubt this will happen, I would hope the man has better morals than that.