Comments on: Michael Owen Now Fully Committed to Newcastle

By: ende

ende — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:32:55 +0000

Here’s how I see it. Folks wanna see commitment.. wanna see a player like Owen -want- to play at Newcastle, and commit to doing so. Understandable. But Owen wants to play at a winning club with a promising future. That’s understandable too. Now I’m of the mind that Owen doesn’t really need to come out and say anything about staying because he hasn’t really said anything suggesting otherwise. But for those of you who think he does, maybe a little patience is in order. He could very well just be taking a “wait and see” position here. Newcastle could very well be turning into the type of team Owen wants to play for, and not only that but he could play a big part in that happening.

At the end of the day, sure, he might leave this summer or next january.. or more likely (imho) stay with this club for a year and be off come next year around this time. However, if he’s gaining confidence in Newcastle’s future and then commits to that future, I think we could be looking at a potential captain here. Maybe even a career Newcastle player. With the direction the team -had- been taking previously in the age B.S. (Before Sam) though, I can’t really blame for Owen not yet having that confidence. Even with Sam’s arrival.. so what? But now there’s new ownership, FFS has been stuffed into the back room, a respectable coach is at the helm, and a slew of impressive new faces are making their way Tyneside. Suddenly NUFC ’s future is looking pretty bright for Mr Owen. Let’s just wait to see what happens.

By: Keep Oba

Keep Oba — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 13:57:26 +0000

Of course he is staying. No other big club really wants him..yet. They need to see what he can do. Man City wants him, but who wants Man City? Its obvious which striker other people see as more potent right now. Everyday a new team is rumored to be interested in Oba..Juve, Arsenal, Roma…all big clubs and Martins is at least 4mil more. Owen doesn’t really have much of a choice but to play for Newcastle right now.

By: AndyT

AndyT — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:13:38 +0000

Stevie – The Owen release clause isn’t just a minimum fee release clause (like Oba’s). It’s about Owen wanting to play football at the highest levels. Players have relegation release clauses – Owen’s is similar – basically treating failure to qualify for Europe like relegation. I think what irks most is that it is triggered through failure – this coincides with Owen not being able to contribute – so most people throw the two together and come to the conclusion that Owen’s lack of contribution lead to the failure which triggered the release clause which gives him the options and somehow blame him entirely for Newcastles bad season and the position he is in. I think this is compounded by the fact that everyone really knows that for a player of his calibre the prospect of champions league teams coming in for him at that price is very realistic. I also think he is being very honest with the fans. He hasn’t said he wants away (i.e. he is not unhappy at the club and will give his all for us next season if this is where he is playing). But neither has he said that he would turn down the opertunity to play champions league football next season (i.e. if one of the top 4 or another major european club triggers the release he will likely leave). In all honesty those two statements are what it comes down to and with Newcastle in the position they are right now I personally think thats fair enough.
If he does stay then I’m sure that he will bag us plenty of goals – especially with the improved personnel around him.

By: StevieA

StevieA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:49:55 +0000

Owen has a release clause at a fee which is far less than what we paid for him. I think that’s one of the reasons that this annoy’s them and worries them so much. It’s almost as it people fear that he couldn’t be replaced unless we spend a fortune.

Perhaps we have been spoilt over the years with guys like Shearer who would have put an end to the speculation straight away. Release Clauses in contracts are fairly new for us and it’s something we can’t afford to include in future contract offers. I have faith that Owen is staying but what I am saying is it’s ok telling the players he is staying but what about the fans?

Jeff – The players that you mentioned we already know they are staying. Owen is a totally different prospect to most of the players you mentioned, I think people genuinely fear losing him. He would be a big loss that’s for sure but could be replaced with a similar player.

I want him to stay and I am sure he will. Hopefully he can give us the 20+ goals we need from him to get back into the top 6.

By: john75

john75 — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:29:48 +0000

As lots of people have already said, offer Owen and Martins new contracts, without any stupid clauses attached. If they don’t sign them, then move them on. Hope they both do stay!!!!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:46:08 +0000

I cant understand why everyone is still going on about owen………Christ sam has said he is staying 100% now let it lie……………..Its the fans who drive players away from this club…………….Yes owen has an escape clause so what!!!!Only if a top club bids for him will he think about it…and with the way sam is talking owen has stated to him thats he’s staying sam coming out and saying so is enough….we dont need to hear from owen he does it through sam…give owen a break at start actually supporting the club and players instead of getting on their backs everytime something is printed in the papers…

By: Ed Harrison

Ed Harrison — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:39:10 +0000

StevieA – me too – hope Michael makes short statement for the fans. Once he’s with other players etc he may realize that fans have become very concerned over the summer.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:30:13 +0000

Owen. Above anything we need players that are 100% comitted to the club. If he doesn’t really want to stay he should go, just leave, before all the training and before the transfer window closes, we’d be better off without him and his bonkers wage bill.

However if he wants to stay he should just say so. Any kind of indication would do, how hard is it for a man like him just to be honest with the 1000s fans wearing his name and number?

Personally I think he’s been looking to get out, no one’s come in for him due to his injuries, they’ll wait and see, we’ll lose Owen in Jan unless we are looking top six.

Dave

By: AndyT

AndyT — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:20:32 +0000

Stevie – The problem is we have been too used to having Alan Shearer – world class and Toon to the core. Right now its one or the other for striker (Fortunately it looks like the next to emerge in this vein might be Steven Taylor and we’d get the same if we can lure Carrick). The thing that makes me laugh is the same people that want rid of Owen because he wont declare his undying love for Newcastle tout the names of other world class strikers who have no proclaimed desire to play for us while at the same time discussing where to pack Ameobi off to because despite being local and commited he’s not good enough. At least it appears that we have a realistic manager with a realistic board who want real success – that looks good to me.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:54:25 +0000

well has anyone heard Dyer,Carr babayaro,Taylor Ramage solano milner shola butt duff nzogbia or most other players with the exeption to emre and martins come out and say they are 100% commited to playing for the toon….cos I aint heard it from any player apart from them two named………so for f*&^k sake name them all instead of just bloody owen all the time………the thing is everyone says the are not bothered if he stays or goes…when you look at the bigger picture what people are saying is they would be gutted if he left thats why they go on about him so much instead of naming others

By: AndyT

AndyT — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:42:50 +0000

Graham – couldn’t agree more. Look at the fact that Oba came out and declared how happy he was at Newcastle and wanted to be in first team next season etc. etc. Has that stopped the media speculation over him leaving – has it bollox. Is Oen much higher profile than Martinf – er yes. Would him saying anything change anything – er no. He’s a great goal scorer – if he stays he stays, if he goes he goes, as long as he gives his best for Newcastle while he’s employed by them – I’ll take that anyday. Anyone who want more needs to have a good 2 hour sit down with Big Sam to have a few home truths explained to them about the realities of premiership football(ers)!

By: StevieA

StevieA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:37:43 +0000

He needs to take a page out of Shearers book. Alan would have come straight out and said he was staying.

I respect Owen and think he is a fantastic player, it’s not me he needs to convince it’s the majority of the fans. I think he will stay, no reason to leave as I am sure we will be back in europe next season in some shape or form. It depends how quickly the team gels but we are such a stronger squad than last season already it’s unreal.

More to come soon too!

By: Graham

Graham — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:35:56 +0000

Shaun – Why does he need to say he is staying when he’s never said he’s leaving? Do you need to go in and reasure your gaffer every couple of months just because theres a job available at a rival company? Let the bloke get on with his life and job. If he goes in January then he goes in January. Theres only one person to blame in all of this – Fat Freddy for putting these rediculous clauses in both his and Oba’s contracts. Lets just support our club without starting a witch hunt. We need positive press coming from all of us and can do without the negative!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:28:41 +0000

Owen doesnt need or have to come out and say he is committed…….Is that not what Big Sam is saying now……..the only person who he needs to convince is Sam and he apparently has done so…………….Get off Owens back and support the bloke cos we all know he is world class

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:26:51 +0000

Josh – its simple we want to hear it from the players mouth. One simple comment months ago could have put all this to bed…