The Newcastle United Blog

87 responses so far ↓

• 1 craig chisholm // May 18, 2007 at 9:29 AM

  its a very intersting situation with owen to be honest. i think he is kinda f*&^&*ked either way. i think he would love to go to manure etc but if he has any sort of brain in his head at all he also knows that by being with us for 2 years, doing f*&^&* all appart from getting re-built and paid ten million in salary counts for some sort of loyalty out of him. this is his dilema. plus lets look at his options, i dont think he wants liverpool otherwise he could have went there two years ago. chelski are making no noises at all and arse just dont do british players. that leaves manure. sir Alex is big on ethics etc and he has a good realationship with us for many reasons – would he want to f*&^&*k that up forever over an injury prone 27 year old who is now damaged goods either way you look at it?? it really is an interesting situation.
  i would be more pissed off if we lost martins to be honest and thats the truth. if owen goes we could get anelka and still have money left. plus i really do not think the combination of two short arse strikers is going to gel. Anelka is tall and everyone knows that he works flat out for sam. so what do you think – martins n owen or martins n anelka. i would want the latter and thats the truth. plus look at anelka, the bloke just does not get bad injuries. i would then sell ameobi and get viduka on a free. now thats more like it.

• 2 Al Inshearah // May 18, 2007 at 9:35 AM

  I don’t think we should to much into the silence. Big players get linked with other clubs all the time. There would be no time for football if Henry, Ronaldo, Dogba, et al. had a arrange a press conferance every time some hack made up a story about them leaving.

• 3 lee // May 18, 2007 at 9:37 AM

  Absolutely spot on. There is no point keeping Owen if he doesn’t have his heart on being a Newcastle striker… it makes the club a laughing stock for being there for Owen when he couldn’t go to any of the other top clubs, and he in fact told everyone that he would only go to Newcastle if no one else wanted him. What are we… beggars?! Owen should not have been signed in the first place… he has no loyalty to any club except Liverpool, that’s where he belongs and if Liverpool doesn’t want him, he might as well quit professional football. No clubs with pride would want to be played around by a player of this attitude, no matter how good he is. Playing skill is only one ingredient that makes a complete player, the other half is an examplary attitude. Alan Shearer was a good example of a player with examplary attitude, that’s why he is so respected even today. Owen is not respected in world football, only admired for his footballing skills. he is a nomad with no loyalty at all to anyone, except Liverpool and England. So that’s where he truly belongs and no where else. Other clubs would be foolish to even consider him as part of their bench. Sell Owen to any of the of the top clubs NOW (Owen only wants to go to a ‘top’ club… whatever that is… ), and let his new club sort out his attitude problem. The sooner Newcastle does this, the better for the club’s future.

• 4 joe // May 18, 2007 at 9:53 AM

  personally, if one of the strikers goes, I would like us to make a big effort to get Crouch from Liverpool. rated as the hardest working striker in the prem. Also, despite Liverpools rotation policy where you only play every other game, has scored 19 in all competitions. Less minutes on the pitch than Martins and scored more. Crouch and Owen or Crouch and Martins. Personally, I would love to see Owen stay.

• 5 joe // May 18, 2007 at 9:58 AM

  p.s. What evidence do we have of Owen having an ‘attitude problem’? Have we forgotten who was instrumental in bringing owen to the club? Shearer. If owen had an attitude problem would Big Al seriously have made such an effort? Hardly. Give the bloke a chance. Injuries were freakish and he can’t be blamed. The only interviews seen have him talking of his guilt at NUFC missing out. If he says he wants to leave then fair enough but until then why can’t we be happy that we’ve got Englands number one striker and one of Europe’s finest?

• 6 lee // May 18, 2007 at 10:03 AM

  Let Owen go, and take in someone in the mould of Alan Shearer…maybe Berbatov, Anelka, Viduka or Van Nistelrooy (if he wants to come back to the Premiership). Plus we need to need another back-up striker to complement Ameobi. Four or five quality strikers are needed if we want to double our scoring tally next season… this will ensure us getting into the top four and CL, and perhaps win one of the domestic cups as well. We also need to get Campbell, Hyppia and Bridge… solid defence and already solid midfield… we might even win the Premiership come May 2008!

• 7 Arthur Prince // May 18, 2007 at 10:19 AM

  Now Berbatov would be great but I think Spurs might want to keep him !! He has been linked with Man U . I think he was one of the best players in the Premiersghip last season . Shane he couldnt come to us as apparently NUFC was his dream club .
  I agree re EMO if he doesnt want to put his all in to NUFC then sell him on but he is a class striker as long as he stays fit .Not keen on Viduka . I like Darren Bent though. Poss Anelka because of his relationship with big Sam . Would he fit in though . I suppose Sib and the Zog could make him feel at home on Tyneside ,assuming the ZOG stays

• 8 lee // May 18, 2007 at 10:20 AM

  p.s. Owen is silent on his Newcastle future because he is waiting for one of the top 4 of 2006-7 season to prise him away from Newcastle… don’t underestimate Owen… he is an intelligent lad and only thinks for his own future and legacy in football. Don’t be played round by this kand of player, more so in an important department like the club’s main striker. Owen must state his intention now or we will miss out of the summer transfer window for a replacement striker completely. Fat Freddy is correct to ask Owen to state his intention… otherwise Owen can just wasit and wait until the last minute… Man Utd or Liverpool will make last day bid and Newcastle will have to accept according to the get-out clause… and Owen will jump ship… say good bye and thank you Geordies for all your support… and we have only Martins and Ameobi next season!!!

• 9 Shaz // May 18, 2007 at 12:09 PM

  Owen does want to got to Liverpool.It is a question of whether Rafa will take a chance on him with him having had so many injuries of late.No amount of guilt will stop Michael going to Liverpool if Rafa puts in a bid.Stevie can pick out passes for Michael Owen in his sleep as opposed to the scraps he would have to put up with at Newcastle.The best strikers are know for being selfish and ruthless with their decisions.If owen is back at Anfield, i will look forward to Premiership season with optimism.

• 10 pete // May 18, 2007 at 12:12 PM

  owen is goin nowhere

• 11 Ed Harrison // May 18, 2007 at 12:28 PM

  Al – reading something into the silence only because Sam wanted to handle it quickly – as he mentioned last Monday. We may still be alright but it’s worrisome.

• 12 Ed Harrison // May 18, 2007 at 12:30 PM

  Lee – good point – but that’s the last thing we want – for this thing to drag on – with a possibility he jumps ship on Aug 31st.

• 13 Ed Harrison // May 18, 2007 at 12:33 PM

  Joe – don’t think Owen has an attitude problem – certainly not – apparently he trains like crazy. If Owen did go to Liverpool – maybe we could swap him for Crouch. He’s a difficult player to mark – and at times seems to score goals with abandon – not sure what Sam thinks of him though – we know Roeder liked him.

• 14 Ed Harrison // May 18, 2007 at 12:36 PM

  Shaz – if Rafa puts in bid think you’re right – Owen will find it almost impossible to turn it down – unless he’s pledged his future to Newcastle before that time.
  But it’s interesting – nothing stopping Rafa putting in a bid at any time.
  But Steve G would be on the phone to him constantly – as he probably is now.

• 15 Shaz // May 18, 2007 at 1:44 PM

  Ed-You are forgetting a little matter of the European Cup final in Athens next week.That is more than enough to keep Rafa occupied.And what significance does a pledge have if his boyhood club come calling for him when he probabley thought that chance had gone.

• 16 Ed Harrison // May 18, 2007 at 2:49 PM

  Shaz – understand – now maybe I’m old fashioned – (certainly old) – but doesn’t your word count these days – whatever business you’re in ?

• 17 Shaz // May 18, 2007 at 3:30 PM

  I don’t think it does .Take the dreaded vote of confidence from chairmans.24 hours laters they are showing them the door.That is why i keep insisting that there is no such thing as loyalty in football.And i don’t expect Michael to show Newcastle any.It is not just players that screw clubs over.I hate saying a bad word against Rafa but he dropped Dudek after Istanbul final and he has hardly played since.One minute he was a hero the next he finds hmself being dropped from the poland squad as a result of his club predicament,Football is not about sentiment, infact the ruthless nature scares me!

• 18 Ed Harrison // May 18, 2007 at 4:32 PM

  Shaz – sounds like Football is big business – and things will get worse – or better (whichever way you look at it).

• 19 craig chisholm // May 18, 2007 at 4:58 PM

  hey shaz, you and i are both on different thought trains over owen. i think everyone or at least the majority probably feel like owen wants to leave at he minute. i have no idea if he will or not. alot will come down to the manager and how good sam’s sweet talking is. do you remember back in shearers early years – we did used to get it worse than this all the time in the press about hin also going also……yes, thats right, joining manure. shearer also never said anything to quell the spectulation – but un-beknown to us at the time, have we ever had a more commited palyer for the cause than Al. now owen and shearer are BIG mates, bigger than owen and stevie G. Shearer has already came out and said owen is staying but feels he has no need to answer all of this press speculation. Do we believe Al? MAybe. Either way though Shaz, i think that owen is not intersted in a return back to liverpool. Owen does not see eye to eye wih benitez, otherwise why would benitez have sold him in his prime – with no injuries for a a head scrtaching 8 mllion?? Imagine if someone you deeply cared for stuck it up ya arse and shafted you and then four years later came crawling back asking you to come back, would you forgive and forget. i wouldnt – and neither will owen. If he goes its to manure. no-one else.

• 20 Shaz // May 18, 2007 at 6:41 PM

  Craig,Stevie and Michael have known each other since they were eleven.Owen and Shearer are not that close.The guy owns a helicopter for heaven’s sake.He can’t bear living in the North East and wants to get out of there asap.Newcastle fans hear and see what they want to.I watched the news conference the day he signed for Newcastle.He said going to St.James was not the first choice hence the reason he made sure that there was a £9 million clause in there,a figure Liverpool were prepared to pay.As for selling him for £8 million, anyone who follows football knows that when a player is in the last year of his contract,his value is significantly less than it would be if he had three years left. Are you really telling me he would not want to go back to Liverpool where Gerrard and Carragher are?.If Newcastle didn’t outbid Liverpool 2 years ago,Michael would be at Anfield where many people believe he belongs.

• 21 craig chisholm // May 18, 2007 at 7:40 PM

  well shaz – you are obviously only telling one side of the story. you have to tell the whole story and not just your selected bits and bobs. it is true that owen said we were ‘initially’ his second choice behind liverpoo. On that day in question he had contract talks with your lot first and then came to us next. The fact that we bid alot more than the reds did not mean that we had out priced him. madrid openly said that he was ok to go to either one – proof of this being that he had talks with raffa. madrid gave rafa permission to talk. why did owen not sign for liverpool then??? he COULD HAVE. we were 17th in the league when he signed and in turmoil as per usual. He said that after he met with our delagation that he was swayed by how much more we made it clear that we REALLY wanted him. The simple fact is that he was never convinced of rafa’s real desire to sign him. Obviously rafa does not rate him OR has issues with him otherwise WHY GIVE HIM AWAY FOR NOTHING. do you recall that just after he was given awaycon a virtual free (in comparison to his ability) that it was leaked out of the liverpool camp that own was hard to work with and that everything always had to be done ‘owens way’. you seem pretty knowledgable so you must be able to remember it and put 2 and 2 together. Owen wanted liverpool for sure, i never doubted that or have said otherwise – ITS RAFA THAT DOES NOT WANT OWEN. wot do you think??

• 22 craig chisholm // May 18, 2007 at 7:52 PM

  a couple more points Shaz:

  the way you are talking makes me think that you think we want to keep owen. you say we only hear and see what we want – well, perhaps you should re-read many of the articles on what we say about owen. the simple fact is that while everyone the world over knows owen’s ability to score goals, the vast majourity of us mags are saying that if owen dont want to be here then so what – pack your bags and go. we are not bothered if he stays or not. i atually think that Martins is a much bigger prospect than a 27 year old, money orientated, injury prone owen – and i have said that in numerous postings.
  Secondly, ‘anyone who knows anything about football’ as you put it, knows that you dont even let your best players get any where near their last year of contract if you can help it. owen has two years left, if i was sam , i would not just be happy with owen coming out and stating his loyalty t newcastle, i would offer him a new contract now (and i think they will). when he refuses it (which he will) i would put him on the transfer list and say bye bye michael.

• 23 Shaz // May 18, 2007 at 8:30 PM

  If your fans are happy to let him leave then why don’t they just say that instead of ‘he owes Newcastle ‘.It is so infuriating.If he is money oriented that is because your club offer him nothing else.Madrid were not willing to accept Liverpool’s bid,Newcastle offered £18 million and Liverpool only £12 million because Rafa didn’t want to pay double what he sold him for.So don’t say Madrid gave him a choice because the choice was go to Newcastle if Liverpool don’t match their bid or rot in the reserves.Those are the facts stated by many and not just myself.If you are going to make points ,make accurate ones please.The reason his contract was run down to one year was because Gerard Houllier was in charge.I am glad you think he will be put on the transfer list because i for one can’t wait.

• 24 craig chisholm // May 18, 2007 at 9:08 PM

  hez Shaz, you take him. it sounds like you want to have his babies or something anyway. So let me get this straight what you are saying: you say that Liverpool offered 12 million for him when he was at madrid – madrid said no – and then said to owen, look micky, do us a favour, when you pop across to have a chat with newcastle, swing by rafa and ask him if he will up his offer by 5 million will you. Is that what you are trying to say, you are saying madrid rejected the 12 million offer and then gave michael permission to go and talk to pool anyway- what would be the point of that. you are talking pap. as for his house and helicopter bit, you obviously chose to mention what you wanted again instead of the full facts (as usaual) – you have to be a woman, only a woman could be so blinkered. He had the house for years, he had it at liverpool and he kept it on when he went to madrid. He has stayed in the same area and never moved (after buying the whole bloody street appart from one house) and that is in Hawarden. yes he is bloody Welsh! For obvious reasons, you can not drive from wales every day for training can you? the helicopter was bought in order to get him to and from the training ground primarily plus he also uses it for going to the races up and down the country. USing your logic, you could say that he hates where he lives and thats why he has a helicopter to escape to newcastle – it works both ways.

• 25 Shaz // May 18, 2007 at 9:45 PM

  Craig-That is exactly what i am saying and if you don’t want to take my word for it, read the countless articles that were written at the time.FYI-I don’t want to have his babies.I am quite happy with seeing him score goals at Anfield.Stop being so sexiest.I might be a woman but i know just as much about football as you do.If not more.

• 26 craig chisholm // May 18, 2007 at 9:53 PM

  shaz – you are off your rocker and obviously mentally unstable – you are meant to laugh at that by the way. lets continue this: email me on craigschisholm@hotmail.com

• 27 Ed Harrison // May 18, 2007 at 10:17 PM

  OK guys – let’s cool it
  The quicker Michael Owen makes some decision the better.
  Sam will not let him sit on the fence much longer.

• 28 Ed Harrison // May 18, 2007 at 10:20 PM

  As far as we’re concerned he signed with Newcastle – IF he doesn’t want to play for us – then he should go – and go quickly – we couldn’t care less where he goes – as long as gets out of Toon – then we’ll get on with our rebuilding – so there.

• 29 craig chisholm // May 18, 2007 at 10:24 PM

  yes i agree Ed, this needs to be resolved. was it just me or did Shaz not listen to a word i said though. i think every geordie wants a commited owen (on a new contract though – a must if he is to stay) and on the other hand, if not then cest la vie, be bye, its no big deal. also, i have been at pains to state to Shaz that everyone always knew he wanted liverpool. rafa clearly has issues with the man. i think martins is far bigger prospect and owen and martins will never gel, they are both too short. we need martins and a taller striker

• 30 Shaz // May 18, 2007 at 10:37 PM

  Craig-just to point out to you i have been listening
  Point 1 by craig-i dont think he wants liverpool otherwise he could have went there two years ago.
  Point 2 by craig-i have been at pains to state to Shaz that everyone always knew he wanted liverpool.

  Maybe it is me Craig but isn’t this a contradiction?

• 31 craig chisholm // May 18, 2007 at 10:47 PM

  Shaz, i am having trouble locating this point one you mention – which one is it. why do you never listen to what i keep saying – ITS RAFA THAT DOES NOT WANT OWEN – PHEW!!!

• 32 Shaz // May 18, 2007 at 10:54 PM

  it is at the top of the page.6th line.By the way i have emailed you.I don’t think ed appreciates the tension.

• 33 craig chisholm // May 18, 2007 at 10:54 PM

  ah yes i see what you saw now but alas Shaz you ahve to look at things inthe context in thay it was said. once statement regards past, one regards present. you must also be a lawyer Shaz! you pick and choose the words you only wish to see too. i will word it differently for you, every one know we were his second choice to liverpool (knew – as in before he signed and before he met rafa). after the meetings with both clubs etc he dicided he did not want to go back to liverpool as he was not impressed with rafa’s sales pitch or if rafa wanted him as much as we did – get it now, past and present.

• 34 craig chisholm // May 18, 2007 at 10:57 PM

  shaz, no email arrived. did i say it right (or did i get that wrong too, ha) craigschisholm@hotmail.com

• 35 Shaz // May 18, 2007 at 11:09 PM

  that is the address i have sent it to.

• 36 lee // May 19, 2007 at 1:17 AM

  Ed and Craig, you are both spot on. Owen is not important.. our club is more imporatant. To start rebuilding uner Big Sam, we need to know that all the players are committed to playing for Newcastle, and we need to know this as sson as possible. The transfer window is already open, and a lot of clubs will be looking for the best players they can afford. Owen must state his intention this week because he is occupying the club’s main striker position and the big wages he gets can otherwise go to another top striker, perhaps Ronaldo or Van Nistelrooy. Why do we want to keep Owen if he sits on the fence too long… force him to commit lonr-term or leave, that simple. There’s plety of top strikers in Europe for the money we are paying Owen. But we need to get his replacement soon, this week if possible. Two more squad strikers are also needed to back up Ameobi. Two top experienced central defenders and a left-back also needed. Under Big Sam, we should be looking at the top 3, if not winning the Preniership next season.

• 37 lee // May 19, 2007 at 2:28 AM

  p.s. If we sell Owen, we should go after Samuel Eto’o who is leaving Barcelona this summer. We should also prise John Terry from Chelsea who is not happy with his contract there. If we can pay Owen, surely we can pay Eto’o and Terry the same wages. Go for it!

• 38 Ahmed Bilal // May 19, 2007 at 6:31 AM

  Did anyone notice that the moment shaz said:

  I might be a woman but i know just as much about football as you do.If not more.

  Craig immediately dropped in his email address and tried to take it offline?

  Ed, i didn’t know we could pick up chicks here! dammit, why didn’t you tell me?

  Shaz, you don’t need to take this ‘off-site’ – in fact, I’m sure that as long as both parties remained civil there’s no problems with having this discussion here.

  My take – Shaz rates Owen, Craig thinks he’s shit. And to think that all this arguing boils down to just that (of course, until craig started hitting on shaz).

  Can we move on now? No Craig, you may not ask a woman out here, especially if you have to go back and ask her to mail you again because you don’t know how to get it done right the first time.

  And Shaz – don’t you know a pickup when you see one?

• 39 craig chisholm // May 19, 2007 at 8:14 AM

  admin you are wrong, me and Shaz took it off the board as we thought Ed thought it was turning into a proper row and was not happy with it. FYI – i am still bloody rowing over this it. i am more than happy to continue this on the board mate.
  cheer craig. anyway admin – whats your view on owen???

• 40 Shaz // May 19, 2007 at 8:16 AM

  Sorry to dissappoint you ,Ahmed. You still can’t pick up chicks on this site.
  I am not about to get picked up by anyone unless one of you is a younger spitting image of Brad Pitt.I took it off line because i thought i should respect Ed’s site. Owen is being linked to the manc scum again.He better not go there!Not after all the arguing i have done on here.

• 41 lee // May 19, 2007 at 8:42 AM

  Is anyone here actually interested in discussing Owen and Newcastle… or am I the only one. Ed, where are you mate?

• 42 Shaz // May 19, 2007 at 8:49 AM

  Lee-We have been discussing owen and newcastle.And if you really do want Eto and Terry.I think you are trying to punch above your weight again.Not going to happen in a million years.From what i know those players have ambition, no amount of money can get them to Newcastle.Not at this stage of their career.

• 43 Ed Harrison // May 19, 2007 at 8:56 AM

  Lee – yes we are interested in discussing Owen – we have 42 comments – and look at some other posts we have had on Owen on this site – they get top attention and comments. My take is that Owen should state what he wants to do – quickly.
  He shouldn’t be allowed to stay silent on this. He will either stay or go – don’t want this drama to drag on – if he wants to go we should sell him to highest bidder – and move on.
  The more this goes on the worse I think of Owen.

• 44 lee // May 19, 2007 at 8:56 AM

  Watch out Shaz… it’s Big Sam you are talking about,not Roeder or Souness. The guy can get Okocha, Hierro, Campo, Anelka to play for a club no one has heard of. With Newcastle’s big name and money (… though no trophies, but that doesn’t matter… top players look at a club’s ambition, not past glories), I bet you Big Sam can get anyone he wants, including Terry and Drogba.

• 45 Ed Harrison // May 19, 2007 at 9:02 AM

  Lee – not sure – right now – we can get Drogba or Terry – but don’t think we need them – yet.
  What we need to do is get the team back to winning – raise our stock again – get in top six – at least – and then maybe look at some of these players. But we don’t need to pay ridiculous fees for players – not when Sam has his spy network working efficiently – we could get the new Drogba for next to nothing – and that’s what we need to do in next few years. See how many players Sam brings in during summer and how much he pays.

• 46 lee // May 19, 2007 at 9:13 AM

  Ed – despite the tremendous welcome Owen got at SJP, it was still a mistake to lure a player who rates the club he is supposed to play for lower than others, especially when he actually said he preferred Liverpool over others. So why we still signed him, I never understood. There are heaps of players of his quality in Europe who want to come if paid the same wages as Owen gets… Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy, Shevcenko, Drogba, etc. In any case, we need a tall and a short pair of strikers, not 2 two short strikers… unless we play like Arsenal. So, let’s look for a tall center-forward in the mould of the great Alan Shearer.

• 47 craig chisholm // May 19, 2007 at 9:15 AM

  lee, i have to say mate that even though we are all mags (other than my new friend shaz), your thinking will bring us to our knees mate. are you for real- bloody eto!!!!!!!! have you been following la liga? he is such a prema dona and moody twat that we could never satisfy his ego. he has been arguing publicly with his manager all season man. how the f_ _ _k can we build a team up around tossers like him – the rift in the dressing room would be massive. as for terry, look what he is saying now, he wants to hand in a transfer request cost he is only on 115 grand a week and michael bollock is on 121 grand a week. hum…… another man who should be great at our newcastle. we want top pros with good VALUES. not mercinarys.
  as for talking aobut owen, thats all we have been talking about. yes, get rid, he is too small to compliment/play off martins. my choice….a taller bloke….a good header of the ball…a man with good ethics…..it ahs to be…….Klose!! maetins, klose, now that is amazing. howay the toon

• 48 Ed Harrison // May 19, 2007 at 9:17 AM

  Lee – don’t disagree with that – and Owen isn’t God – and there other good strikers we can get – there’s always somebody else available.
  What I really don’t like is his silence – he was asked a very straight forward question by Shepherd – what’s his intentions to Newcastle – why didn’t he respond the next day? What’s the wait for – until his agents can get him a new deal? He needs to give the club that’s paying him 110 grand a week more respect.

• 49 Ed Harrison // May 19, 2007 at 9:18 AM

  Owen is also injury prone so we may never get a lot of games from him in a season.

• 50 lee // May 19, 2007 at 9:18 AM

  Ed – sure, if Big Sam can get us a Drogba and a Terry for next to nothing, all the better.

• 51 craig chisholm // May 19, 2007 at 9:28 AM

  lee, again you are now mentioning drogba. he has just said openly in the pressjust two days ago that he wants to move on now to a european giant and play for them. he said that he has proved himself in the prem and wants to move on and prove himself in another league. forget drgba- if 33 goals, a cup and a fa cup final and a champ semi final is not good enough for his ego then you think newcastle will be…. pipe dreams i am affraid mate. we dont need ego’s around here. we want down an out commitment and the true desire to play for newcastle. i dont want terry either, i think he is a tosser as is lampard.
  have a new thought on this owen thing now too lads (and lasses), none of will forget owens stance and what is happening here, how will we be towards him at the begining of a new season. its not just enough to come out and declare he is staying at newcastle anymore, its gone beyond that – he has to re-sign for anther 4 years. dont forget, two years to run on his current deal, he has to sign or we have to sell, otherwise we all know hwat he will do, he will stall or run his deal down and go on a free. its written all over him the way he thinks.

• 52 Shaz // May 19, 2007 at 10:21 AM

  Anything that pushes michael out of Newcastle ig great except going to the bloody mancs.I hate them.Eto is a great player but he has a ego as huge as Mourinho.I wouldn’t bother with him, he is out of Newcastle’s reach.

• 53 Arthur Prince // May 19, 2007 at 11:10 AM

  Guys and Gals ,
  I think we are into the realms of fancy with talk of Drogba or Eto.o or Terry . I think the word I have mentioned before” Prima Donna ” comes to mind and all the talk of EMO is pandering to that culture and that is not what we want . I want players of quality who will play with passion and commitment and want to win not just take big wages which areon offer and are forever in the treatment room etc.
  Ed is right FS is right we need Sam to ask EMO is he commited or not if not move him on. £110k per week is huge ,I dont know many clubs who would pay that . I think a lot of our squad owe NUFC Big time and I expect to see them produce or for Big Sam to say Good bye . Some of our youngsters will be stronger and fitter and more hungry so with the right blend of Committed seniors and strong Management ie Big Sam and the new approach I am not bothered if EMO stays or goes . Yes he can be good but it is the hunger .commitment and most of all Team spirit which is the key to success .

• 54 Shaz // May 19, 2007 at 11:38 AM

  Arthur, what does EMO .i know what the MO bit is.

• 55 Ahmed Bilal // May 19, 2007 at 12:27 PM

  A) don’t call me admin – the name’s Ahmed

  B) Shaz, if I was a younger version of Brad Pitt I wouldn’t be talking to you here, would I? And if you were a younger Angelina Jolie you wouldn’t be here either, so let’s not dream too much

  C) The bloody mancs don’t want Owen – being a man utd fan, I also hope that they ‘don’t’ take him.

  D) You guys have to realise that a lot of this is based on speculation. Owen has said nothing, it’s the press making up stories and suddenly people are saying that united are interested in Owen and making decisions based on that when NOTHING like that is the case.

  E) Is there any Newcastle player that United would want? Parker, probably, but I’d doubt it (we’re looking for either a younger player or someone more established). Milner – yes, but we all know he’s black n white so no chances there.

  That’s it. Given, probably, but with Foster coming strong it’s doubtful.

  So stop worrying – United aren’t coming after your players

• 56 Ahmed Bilal // May 19, 2007 at 12:29 PM

  I think Owen is coming under some unfair criticism – he’s a good player and he is probably the best finisher Newcastle have at the moment. You don’t know where his heart is – my guess is that he wants to win the Champions League – but I strongly believe that he’ll stay and come good for Newcastle.

• 57 Ahmed Bilal // May 19, 2007 at 12:31 PM

  Oh, and for the record, the reason I don’t want Owen at Old Trafford is because I want to see Rossi play first-choice next season. Owen won’t play ball if he’s got to sit on the bench, and having him around stops Rossi’s growth.

  Other than that, I’d take Owen. He’s a class player, and with a good pre-season he should score 20 next season.

• 58 lee // May 19, 2007 at 12:55 PM

  Ahmed – I don’t think Man U want two short strikers… Saha is much better strike partner for Rooney. Owen on the bench? I don’t think he is interested then… it’s either him or Saha with Rooney, not Rossi.

• 59 lee // May 19, 2007 at 1:03 PM

  Craig and Arthur – as if we don’t have prima donnas at Newcastle? I can think of at least 3 or 4. And it all depends by what you mean by that term… Terry is no prima donna, he is only asking to paid for what he has contributed to the successful Chelase team of the past 3 seasons… without him, I don’t think Chelsea have a good defence… just look the season past when Terry got injured. Drogba is ambitious.. nothing wrong with that… the kind of player Newcastle needs… only question is do we have the same level of ambition? I think we do now… only a matter of convincing the potential targets.

• 60 Arthur Prince // May 19, 2007 at 1:03 PM

  Shaz,
  I believe “EMO “stands for England’s Michael Owen !!! probably a tongue in cheek there somewhere . I dont know which premier team is “England “though !!! bit Cryptic sorry thought he played as a guest for Nufc or is that a bit unfair as his injury was horrible and not his fault . However I tyhink he does owe us some commitment so hopefully all the speculation of “will he or wont he go £” is simply the Hype of this last week re Big Sam’s appointment Exciting times though I reckogn . What do you think ?

• 61 Arthur Prince // May 19, 2007 at 1:10 PM

  I think John Terry is a great defender but he is starting to believe his own hype and is always whinging to the referees about every decision made against him I wonder where he gets it from ?surely not his manager !!!. Could be frustration I suppose but if Chelski couldnt winwith the huge expenditure on players over the past 3years then there would have been something very wrong . This year however Man U again have out thought and outwitted Chelski so are yet again Premiership Champions . Wouldnt it be nice if we could be too .?!!

• 62 lee // May 19, 2007 at 1:20 PM

  Arthur – Chelsea is still a great team, but they were unlucky last season… injuries to their key players especially defence. That proves that depth is important not just quality, if we want to win anything… especially the Premiership where you need to consistently win over a 38-game season. But look we they are.. second if not first… if we are to challenge the top 4 next season, we have to think like them, prima donnas or not… either that or stay mid-table or at best 5th or 6h every season. Why not learn from the winners instead of badmouthing their players, for a change. A change in attitude will go a long way to rehabilitate Newcastle.

• 63 Ed Harrison // May 19, 2007 at 1:23 PM

  Ahmed – the problem I have with Owen is that he should say something – either commit or not commit to Newcastle – the fact he’s saying nothing – is causing people to speculate. If he’s staying he should say so – and we can get on with things.

• 64 Shaz // May 19, 2007 at 1:25 PM

  Ahmed- i didn’t come on this site to meet men did i?I’m not that sad !I am quite happy talking football.

• 65 lee // May 19, 2007 at 1:36 PM

  Shaz – like Man U, I can’t see why Liverpool want Owen back.. Benitez already has Bellamy and Fowler, same stature as Owen. In any case, Owen won’t be paid any less than what he gets at Newcastle, or he won’t be interested at all. Man U is more like it. If you want Owen, give us Crouch… a better player to complement our Oba Martins. I am afraid it will be a step backward if Liverpool resign Owen.

• 66 dinko // May 19, 2007 at 1:39 PM

  Lee-We can not win premier league next seson. I do not think we can be in top 4. Success is something we need to build for couple years. Newcastle United can not buy couple of world stars and win premier league. Nobody can. Only way is to finish 2 seasons in the top 6 and then try to do more. If you try to find instant succes then it will be disaster. So-next season we should create team of fighters and then we can sign some great ambitius players to try something bigger. If we now sign one or two “big” players they are going to take some money and never play 100%. Lets develop some wining team with desire to win something. I am very sorry for bad english.

• 67 lee // May 19, 2007 at 1:47 PM

  No illusion of winning the title next season guys. But if you want something badly, you need to aim high… the highest, not second or third. If you aim first, you may get second or third. If you aim top 4, you may end up in Europe. If you aim 5th or 6th, you wan’t get into urope at all. It is all a matter of psychological thinking… something the big 4 are so used to in their way of thinking. Like Donald Trump said, if you want to think you must think big, not average. Thinking big will get you the results, thinking small will get you nothing. So, it is win all or nothing, that’s football.

• 68 dinko // May 19, 2007 at 3:02 PM

  OK players need to think big. If you expect big things( top 4 for example) and at the half-season you see how things going(badly) then you are demotivated. Don’t overvaluated yourself before you prove you are capable of big things. Then start planing how to win premier league. I think that next season are going to be much better than this one,but i am realistic and no mather how much i want to newcastle finish in top 4 i do not think it is posible even if we sign some world class players. Sam need one year to build the team and after that hapend and we stop losing home games against shefild and birmingham then we can talk about top 4. Again sorry for my sometimes terrible and sometimes just bad english. I will learn one day.

• 69 Ed Harrison // May 19, 2007 at 5:45 PM

  Lee and Dinko – your discussion reminds me of a quote by Bill Shankley – one of my favorite football people of all time.
  “Aim for the Sky and You’ll Reach the Ceiling. Aim for the Ceiling and You’ll Stay on the Floor”
  We have to think BIG – we should be going for top 4 next year – to ensure we reach top six

• 70 Ed Harrison // May 19, 2007 at 5:46 PM

  Another way of saying what Lee is talking about is : “Fortune favors the Brave”.

• 71 Ed Harrison // May 19, 2007 at 5:57 PM

  Hey – who’s going to write a book from all these comments

• 72 Ahmed Bilal // May 19, 2007 at 7:54 PM

  I’m sure Michael Owen will appreciate all the good vibes the comments here are sending him

• 73 lee // May 19, 2007 at 9:54 PM

  Yup, “Fortune favors the Brave” and “Aim for the Sky and You’ll Reach the Ceiling. Aim for the Ceiling and You’ll Stay on the Floor”. I am sure Sir Alex, Arsene, Rafael and Jose will appreciate Newcastle finally getting ourselves in the right direction for a change… phew.
  Players need to fail first relative to their earlier expectations in order to motivate them to do better next season, and next season, and finally you get that prize you are after. The management team, board, chairman and manager are all there to create such competitive environment. But you must walk your talk. No point talking high if the club is stingy with its speding on players, and appoint average and below average managers. In other words, you won’t get far if you don’t do what you preach… Benitez and Mourinho only gets their Liverpool and Chelsea jobs after successes in Europe, and it took longer for Fergusaon and Wenger to achieve what they achieved because of this fact. Whereas we in Newcastle appoint a manager based on who he is, not what he has achieved. But Big Sam is a nice break from the Geordie tradition!

• 74 craig chisholm // May 20, 2007 at 9:07 AM

  i just noticed that sam is now on holiday in the south of france!! now, considering that one of the very first things he was going to do was speak to owen and see what the score was with him – it makes you think that he has. i can not believe that he would f*&^&*k off to france on holiday without at least having a chin wag with his biggest priority.
  that coupled with the papers now dropping this story and moving onto other ones, ie, lampard leaving, terry leaving, torres coming, drogba going it COULD possibly have been a load of the papers doing what they do best – talk shit. this coupled with the fact that we have not even enquired about viduka makes me think that perhaps sam has spoken to owen and martins. they have said they are staying, plus he has ameobi and young carroll. i think sam has turned his attention fully on our back four first. I know its now a complete u-turn but my new thoughts are owen is staying. what say you??

• 75 Manchester United transfers update: Ribery / Hargreaves / Owen / Nani | Soccerlens - Football News // May 20, 2007 at 9:17 AM

  [...] The speculation on Michael Owen leaving Newcastle is so great that many Geordies have turned against their own player (see comments in this article). I don’t think Owen’s going anywhere until he has one [...]

• 76 Ed Harrison // May 20, 2007 at 1:27 PM

  Craig – that could be right – but my beef is that if Michael has no intention of leaving why doesn’t he say so – plus the Shepherd statement says there’s something going on.
  Also with the clear-out already announced he has to bring in at least 2 center backs and 2 full backs – I sure hope we get Tal Ben Haim as one of these – and knowing Sam he’ll probably bring in somebody like Mark Hughes did in January – Samba – cost 400 grand, unknown – and now looks like a colossus at the heart of Blackburn’s defense. (Not like our well known colossus).

• 77 craig chisholm // May 20, 2007 at 2:58 PM

  ed, i agree, its really pissing people off not knowing what is going on inside owens head. my kids just asked me for the new strip but even though i bought it i could not let them put his name on the back. then i had to say no to martins aswell. it is f*&^&*g mad.
  lee, i admire your enthusiasum mate but these names you keep pulling out are all no-goes mate. drogba, terry, eto, berbatov. massive names and with the exception of berbatov, they all have massive pay packs and massive ego’s to go with their petulance. for sure we could do with a taller top quality striker (ameobi is just not too good is he), my money is more on someone like Klose. We are (by all accounts not in for viduka either). crouch is an interesting thought i guess, bit freaky but interesting all the same. we have has so many massive names over the years, klivert – the highest netherlands goal scorer of all time, sheer class and brilliance – what did he do at newcastle, took 80 grand a week for a year or so and f)(*&^ked off, his sum total for all that money- a really cool back heel goal. we just dont need the w*&^%kers mate!!

• 78 lee // May 20, 2007 at 2:03 PM

  Big Ben will opt to follow his ex-Bolton boss and of course Big Sam’s main priority is to get the replacements after a complete clearance of Newcastle first-choice back four. Whether Owen stays or not, we still need Viduka, Berbatov or Crouch… we cannot have two short strikers in the starting line-up unless we can play like Arsenal.

• 79 Ed Harrison // May 20, 2007 at 3:28 PM

  Lee – how about Ameobi – think he will have a good season next season – now that he is fit. I know he gets a lot of stick from some fans – but he’s become much more robust in his play – learning from Shearer – and even started to score goals regularly before he had to have his hip operated on.
  And then of course there’s Andrew Carroll coming through – who we really like at 18 years old. He could also come through next season – if he can push his way into the England under 21s next season this boy is definitely a future star.

• 80 Arthur Prince // May 20, 2007 at 8:02 PM

  Is it true that Sam is in South of france /?Spain.

  The fact that there are so many comments re Michael Owen is that when he is fit and focussed he is such a great predator in front of goal and I am sure the geordies are just desperate to see him play for NUFC and score loads of goals . No one really wants him to go anywhere But after suffering so many disappoinments year in year out perhaps- just perhaps -we have a manager with a winning mentality who can inspire Michael to stay and confirm what a great striker he is and try to deliver the success we all crave. I do hope so .
  I think we just have to wait and see now . It may well have been a newspaper trick to get everyone talking in which case it has succeeded and just goes to show how passionate everyone is albeit with different views -but that is good isnt it ?

• 81 craig chisholm // May 20, 2007 at 8:54 PM

  yep mate, he is in france on a family holiday. so the way i see it, the owen thing is sorted, one way ot the other.
  it was interesting to see sir alex comments on his transfer targets:
  he said he has passed onto divid gill a list with three names on it.
  hargreaves/ bale/berbatov
  hargreves is in the bag but no sign of owen on his list. so it really begs the question, is there any bidders for owen anyway?? i know we have played crap in the last 12 months but there is no doubt that we have the quality and backing to be good. So the way i see it, outside of manure and chelski (i am not even going to say the so called’big four’ – as believe there are only two finacial massive clubs in the country that can consistanty outbid us), i think that depending which newcastle turn up at the begining of the season, we have the power to be up there bouncing around 3rd or 4th. so therefore, any move owen does outside of man utd or chelski could actually mean that he finishes lower than us -IF SAM CAN GET IT TOGETHER. look at sir bobby, 3rd, 4th, 5th – sacked. so we can do it. So, is it even wise for anyone to actually want to leave at this time???

• 82 Arthur Prince // May 21, 2007 at 6:57 AM

  A lot of sense in that Craig . Lets hope eh?

• 83 lee // May 21, 2007 at 8:55 AM

  Ed – I think we play Ameobi more regularly next season to give him more experience, especially when we play weaker teams… he certainly has the height and has good potential to be a regular partner for Martins in future. But we still need a first-choice center-forward in Alan Shearer’s mould, someone with a good deal of Premiership experience… Berbatov, Viduka or Crouch. I am not so keen on continental players, at least not until they have played 1 or 2 seasons in the Premiership with another club… too much of a risk. Miroslav Klose may or may not adapt to the pacy and robust Premiership style of play (look at Schevchenko and Ballack for instance). A good mix of youth and experience is essential for success and continuity.

• 84 craig chisholm // May 21, 2007 at 9:03 AM

  lee, we are not interested in viduka – nufc have just today openly said that. berbatov is a none starter. Ameobi is tall and a handful for defenders . it could be a decent move to us him regular. if that is the case, i do not think we need to look too hard at the newcastle strike force at this time, cos owen and martind will be able to play alongside Ameobi fine, big guy, little guy thing going on. we know owen can score goals for fun and martins had a good first season – and that was even with all of the shit surrounding us last season. i think martins has massive potential. if you start bringing in other strikers without really needing them it is sending out a clear and wrong message to martins and owen. we dont want or need any more factions at sjp. but yes, perhaps Ameobi. like someone said earlier on, he was getting a goal every two games until he go injured………..which is exactly what owens record was at liverpool.

• 85 Ed Harrison // May 21, 2007 at 10:16 AM

  Lee – agree – would love to see Crouch at Newcastle – it would give us so many more options in attack – he would be worth investment. Also like David Nugent.

• 86 lee // May 22, 2007 at 5:15 AM

  If we can’t get Viduka, Berbatov or Crouch, we might want to lure Van Nistelrooy or Kanoute back from Spain… they are better than untried big-name strikers from the continent. Kanoute especially seems to have done extremely well at Sevilla when playing alongside two good wide players left and right.

• 87 singapore mag. // May 22, 2007 at 9:13 AM

  anelka…nuff said