There are reports in the People that Michael Owen will leave Newcastle, because of the poor contract he is being offered by the club.
Michael Owen – going nowhere
And there is also a report in the Sunday Mirror that says almost the opposite, and that Newcastle have made a dramatic about turn, and issued a statement saying they will give Michael a new improved contract, but we could not see any such statement on the Newcastle official web site. Surely the Mirror hasn’t made this up. 😀
It was bound to happen, after Newcastle decided to sell James Milner for a good price, rather than give into his demands for an improved contract. Everyone now thinks what happens now with Michael’s contract?
But we think this is different to James, because as Kevin said on Friday, once a player issues a transfer request that puts a whole new light on the situation.
And one thing is clear with Ashley, he will not keep players, or bring players in, who do not want to play for Newcastle United. That’s what a transfer request signals – and that’s why James was moved out.
We think Milner had no idea Newcastle would sell him, and it was only a ploy to get Newcastle to give him an improved contract – and it backfired. (We still would have liked to keep him, even so).
Michael hasn’t asked for a transfer, seems to just love playing under Keegan, and has done Newcastle proud since January.
If there’s one thing Mike Ashley isn’t, it’s a fool and we fully expect him to stay at Newcastle. And we fully expect the gossip press to sensationally report on the goings on – like they have done today.
Don’t believe a word of it – until the club has said something.
Comments welcome.
64 comments so far
happy toon
Aug 31, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Comment #41THE BEST WE COULD FOR OWEN AGAINST ARSENAL IS PARTNER HIM WITH A STRIKER THAT WASN’T EVEN IN THE MATCH! WE SHOULD ACT FASTTTTTTT AMEOBI IS SWAG!
Ross
Aug 31, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Comment #42coloccinis curls-one more signing monday plus a shocker later on. does that not mean 2 more signings on monday?
dont beleive a word of it like,lol.
Geordos
Aug 31, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Comment #43Goes back to what I was saying the other day…
There’s only 36 hours left… Lets see what comes and goes then judge.
If you saw the match last night, you will have noticed how p*ssed off Owen looked… then was a shot of him in the wall toward the end of the match, and he subtly shook his head…
There is also a reporter for Sunday Express on Sky Sports News who categorically said that Owen has no long term future at NUFC…
Edd Case
Aug 31, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Comment #44Who cares if Owen goes? I dont.
Great player, scores goals but he’s not the only one.
After all, he’s no Alan Shearer.
Geordos
Aug 31, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Comment #45And another thing…
That better be Ameobi’s last game for the Toon.
He was a lazy disgrace. No wonder Owen was sick at the end of the game!
Glenn_United
Aug 31, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Comment #46PATHETIC SHOWING AT ARSENAL TODAY!!! VERY PATHETIC!!!!
WHICH IS WHY ASHLEY NEEDS TO GIVE KEEGAN UNLIMITED FUNDS TO STRENGTHEN OUR SQUAD!!!!!!!
AND NOW!!!!!!!
Glenn_United
Aug 31, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Comment #47AGREE WITH HAPPY TOON’S COMMENTS AMEOBI IS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!!! SHIIIITE!!!!
GET RID OF AMEOBI HE IS DRAGGING US DOWN…HE IS PATHETIC CAN’T EVEN PASS A BALL LET ALONE HOLD IT UP OR KNOCK IT ON, AMEOBI OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AMEOBI OUT!!!!!!!!!! EVEN IF WE GIVE HIM TO IPSWICH OR NORWICH>>>IT WOULD BE LIKE GETTING 10 million for him, as he would be gone!!!!! not costing us anything, NEVER EVER PLAY THAT TOSSER (AMEOBI) AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FOR THE LOVE OF NEWCASTLE UNITED!!!!!!!!!!!! GET RID OF AMEOBI NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tom
Aug 31, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Comment #48Could people please stop using all caps in posts!? Lol.
The Entertainers
Aug 31, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Comment #49Unfortunately i dont share your optimisim ED.
I think the contract situation has been handled terribley. I am not sure whether Ashley really wants to keep Owen.
He is one of the best goal scorers in the world still!
But he is regularly injured and does not play enough, therefore score enough.
The question is, can we find a replacement?
It would cost a lot of money!
Just another thought, we keep hearing about a ‘wow’ signing. Now i dont know if this is true or not, but lets say it is and we are signing a TOP striker, it may come apparent why we arent pushing the Owen deal!
nick
Aug 31, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Comment #50Best for everyone if he left. We should make a clean break. No one should be bigger than the club. We made that mistake with Shearer.
It has never felt 100% right since Owen has been here. His commitment (and injuries) have always been very questionable and his motives very dubious.
Martins is faster and less injured. There is life after Owen. There must be other younger strikers out there as well as Martins (already here), who can play a full season and not hold the club to ransom.
12M for Milner was great and getting rid of Owen’s wages would be fantastic. They are crippling us in a global economic crisis.
Derdiyok and Martins would be great
rubbix
Aug 31, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Comment #51Just been on sky sports news they have offered him 3 year contract at 120,000 pound a week !
Just hope he signs it !
Chris H
Aug 31, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Comment #52Hands up who thinks Collo’s Curls is looking for a bit of attention.
I’d rather stick pins in my eyes than listen to that drival.
ChrisLaidler
Aug 31, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Comment #53According to SSN.COM Owen has been offered a 3 year deal worth £120,000 per week, obviously Ashleys downed pint at the match done the trick.
Get In!!!!
nick
Aug 31, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Comment #54Adebayor 23, hardly ever injured 35K a week
Owen 29 , hardly ever not injured £120K a week.
Oh yeah I forgot we are NUFC !!!!
Spuggy
Aug 31, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Comment #55Get some perspective PEOPLE!
Collo has only played 3 premiership games in his life – he needs time to adjust to the pace.
We had a world class striker returning to fitness and a crocked championship player up front – result: no link up or hold up play which is a key role of the 2nd striker (hear Wengers comments about van persie in this role!) as it allows the midfield to build play and move forward as a unit. We need a fit Viduka back soon or another similar striker.
It was arsenal, at home, with a full strength team, firing on all cylinders!
I for one do not take thrashings by top clubs top clubs to heart too much at this stage in our progression. Now if we got wolloped by the minows (remember Derby last season!) then fair enough we have room to have a moan.
One things for sure – it’s gonna be a vital 36 hours, we need 4 players now as Jonas is definitely better on the LW as he’s primarily right sided. We need equal quality on the other wing – duff would be ok if fit and firing but I think a better quality replacement would see our wings in full operation.
We also looked a bit lightweight against arsenal I think we need some height or strength up front and in midfield.
So be patient see what happens in next 36 hours and keep your expectations real (i.e. top 8-10!). We still have some way to go before we can truly challenge the top 4!
ELFER
Aug 31, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Comment #56You do not listen to KK at all!! He said, that the Owen contract will be sorted ones the transfer window shut down – and that makes perfect sense!! We do not have to hurry on owen until januray but I’m sure this will be sortet.
But first bring in 3 quality signinsg!
scott9
Aug 31, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Comment #57it wud be stupid to sell him for a price like the ones rumoured when michael is fully fit he is worth an easy 20m he is englands best striker
nick
Aug 31, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Comment #58scott you say – when michael is fully fit.
Sorry I think I missed that !!! And that’s the whole point, he never is !!!
Symo22
Aug 31, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Comment #59ASHLEY IS DAFT OR HE WOULD HAVE SPENT SOME MONEY LIKE WE WERE ALL PROMISED, RIOTS ON THE TOON SOOON!!!!!
Ian
Aug 31, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Comment #60Owen offered a deal?????
Looks like their transfer target has failed or they would have signed him sooner-crap.
We still need an anybody striker, someone like Matt Derbyshire who isnt old, isnt injury prone and scores goals otherwise we are just gambling on Owens fitness yet again and Martins being able to play all of the matches that Owen cant, we are lucky to date that one has been able to play when the other cant and that has been for three years now, really pushing our luck.
Sign a striker who can at least score, move quickly and look half dangerous.
graeme
Aug 31, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Comment #61The comentator on Sentanta summed it up nicely yesterday, which was backed up by KK’s later statement. If you looked round at the team on the pitch yesterday, it was dire, confirmed by KK saying he has only got 7 good players.
If you were an ambitious player and MO most certainly is, why would you want a new contract? The new owner has been there about 12 months, the manager has been there before yet the only significant improvement has been the recruitment of 3 decent players. Not “great” players, but decent.
Does that instill confidence that your Owner has visions of greatness? Does it fill you with confidence that you will soon be competeing for silverware or a place in Europe?
Does it fill you with confidence that the organization specifically set up to scout new players, identify young talent and obtain that talent has so far managed to supply just 3 first team recruits? Does it fill you with confidence when the manager says he needs at least 5 players at the end of the last season, then 5 are sold and only 3 are recruited?
Does it fill you with confidence that 36 hours before the transfer window is to close, the squad is still looking for those 3-5 players?
It dodesn’t fill me with confidence, it fills me with dread. If I was MO, I would now happily see out my contract, line up my final club on a “free” and pocket a handsome signing on fee instead.
What was promising to be a season of reformed vision and hope is now looking to be a repeat of the past 3 seasons – mediocrity, no ambition, avoiding relegation the main priority.
Still, after 45 years, why would I expect anything different now lol!! The joys of supporting NUFC I guess.
Sav
Aug 31, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Comment #62I’ll be glad as anyone to see Shola Ameobi transfer to a club at his proper level and hopefully a few bob freed up when we really need it. And I thought Keegan got his tactics dead wrong against The Arse yesterday when we needed a 5-man midfield including Barton to stem the red tide.
BUT!….As its probably his last first team appearance, I have to say I doubt if another player who’s just failed a medical and hardly kicked a ball would have been stuck on for 90 minutes of thankless chasing and standing about without a chance to get a kick. Stroller even got the blame for blocking our best chance. I have to say I feel a bit sorry for the bloke. Sometimes these things happen. So long, Shola. ..See you when we’re relegated.
Sav
Aug 31, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Comment #63Cheer up Graeme. We could be Everton. We have at least got a scouting network in place since February. We may make our best moves in January. The main thing is the 4 signings we made so far have all been good ones, both financially and on the pitch. Keep the faith.
Robz
Aug 31, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Comment #64Watched the nufc-arseanal game on the telly. They showed MA a couple of times, and once with a pint in his hand. And they actually showed him drinking the whole beer, all at once 😀 He’s the right man for the job, defo!