Michael Owen has spoken out again about the criticism headed Newcastle United’s way in the last few weeks.
Michael Owen – good common sense from the captain
If we were to be absolutely honest, a lot of that criticism has been deserved, especially of our players, most of whom lack the guts necessary to survive a relegation battle. That’s what worries us the most.
Michael spoke yesterday:
“I have been criticized since I was 17,†“I will never get away from that and that is the same for any top player in the country.â€
“Whether that’s right or wrong I don’t know, but that’s the way it is in this country. When we pick up in results hopefully that will go away.â€
“Certain players and clubs attract criticism. Newcastle are one of those clubs.†to take responsibility.”
“If Kevin Keegan is not the best at getting the best out of the players and giving them confidence, I don’t know who is,â€
“But it’s down to the players as well – we are responsible for going out there and we have got to pick ourselves up and I feel responsible to score the goals to pick up the points to get us up the table.â€
Those are good and sensible comments from Michael – he’s exactly right. We also like how Michale is taking responsibility for not scoring the goals we expect from him. We hope this attitude gets to our other players.
It’s hard to criticize the man when he’s so honest and open.
As we reported yesterday Owen is out of contract at the end of next season and he is keen to remain on Tyneside.
Michael continued:
“I am in a similar position to a lot of players at our club,â€
“I have not spoken to anyone at the club and no one at the club has spoken to me.”
“I am settled in Newcastle and happy at Newcastle, although not happy with the results at the moment.â€
Michael certainly seems very settled at Newcastle with his wife Louise and their 3 children. We’d look for Michael to break out of his shell and start to score some goals against Birmingham City – that’s exactly what we need.
Another defeat and there’ll be more behind the scenes planning on what we do in the summer to prepare for the Championship. Unfortunately that’s the reality of our current terrible situation.
Comments welcome.
11 comments so far
Eric
Mar 11, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Comment #1If you really want to stay at Newcastle Michael get it into KK’s head that you cannot score goals when you have got no support from Smith, Butt, and Barton. You want support? NUFC has it but not from those truss-less buffoons just mentioned.
Marty
Mar 11, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Comment #2Come on MO put a smile on our faces in the next few weeks n get us some good results!
We need some confidence in the team n this good striker can get on form again as long as he plays alongside Oba.
Ian
Mar 11, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Comment #3I like the way he talks now he is captain, however I would love to see some goals from somehere to give us some hope, I wish Martins and Owen could team up well, maybe we will see them together from the kick off so everyone can see if it will work.
James
Mar 11, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Comment #4When a chance comes in the box, there is no other Newcastle player I’d rather have on the end of it than Owen.
I also agree with most of the comments that he has to play with Martins. Best combination we have available. Viduka is too lazy. Carroll isn’t ready, and Smith is the worst striker I’ve seen at our club EVER
Black Caesar
Mar 11, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Comment #5Down to the players my foot! This is all down to the manager, and i have to say we have the crappest manager we could ever have hoped for!!!
This team is infnitely better than the one Sir Bobby inherited and still better than the one Roeder inherited. This clueless Keegan cant manage at all!
He’s moved from one circus to another!!!!
Ian
Mar 11, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Comment #6The only thing we can blame this manager for is not watching all of the games while Sam Allerdyce was in charge, but he didnt think the job would come up and he was busy with his circus in Glasgow, he now has a good idea of which player is best where, the fixtures are good for draws and wins so let us judge the team over the rest of the games.
It is easy for us as we watch them week in and week out, we know who we would play and where.
Smith is better than our midfield players, that says more about our midfield players than Smith, so get on their case and off his.
jeff
Mar 11, 2008 at 1:54 PM
Comment #7I wonder how long its going to be for the press to start saying Owen is looking for a move away…..It bound to happen…….Id also Like to see Owen starting with Martins we need that pace of martins up front.How come everyone but Keegan can see smith barton and butt are nee good..My team against Birmingham
Harper
Beye Taylor Faye enrique
Geremi
Milner Duff
Nzogbia
Owen Martins
When defending Nzogbia drop back …..But I think it could be a canny attacking team with nee Butt, Smith Barton and Viduka in to slow it down..
Brad
Mar 11, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Comment #8Anyone else happy that Owen’s been acting like a real captain? At least in the media, lets hope he’s doing it behind the scenes too.
James
Mar 11, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Comment #9Brad – He’s been the perfect captain so far. Considering Smith was Captain before him and Geremi.
Owen has even been yelling at Butt for his misplaced passes.
Brad
Mar 11, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Comment #10Yeah, I’m liking what I’m seeing from him in the captains armband, now lets hope he gets his finishing touch back.
staffsmag
Mar 11, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Comment #11owen and martins has got to give us a better chance of goals than smith who has not scored for over 2 years