Joe Kinnear has given a good interview with Sky Sports this afternoon, and he talks about Owen, the new players Newcastle have bid for, although not by name of course (drat!), and the other three players Butt, Ameobi and Harper, who have been offered new contracts at the club.
Nicky Butt – Joe expects Nicky to sign contract for Newcastle United
It would appear that Kinnear is well aware that what happens both on and off the pitch over the next five months will go a long way towards making up Owen’s mind for him.
And Newcastle must push ahead, and quickly, as Owen is thinking what chance have Newcastle got of having a decent side over the next four years, never mind the chances of winning something for the first time in 40 years.
Kinnear said today, when asked if he was pleased that Owen is staying through the summer:
“I think so, yes, very much so. Michael himself is not too sure, and that’s why he sees taking time as his best option.
“Believe it or not, he was quite happy with the terms, it was just that this is the final decision he is going to make in his career.”“He was delighted – and thanked me very much – for the fact that we made him a three-year offer, which he wasn’t expecting, but nevertheless, he just needs time to sort things out for himself.”
“I don’t mind that, I am fine. He is a great professional and – I keep repeating myself – his goalscoring record stands up there to be counted.”
“As long as he continues scoring goals, I will be delighted.”
Joe talks about Michael Owen and also brings up the fact we have gone after four players, and that he expects Nicky Butt to sign, but for Shola Ameobi and Steve Harper, it’s down to the terms they have been offered.
Joe thinks he will know about those 3 players, yes or no, within the next 48 hours. We hope the clubs gets those 3 contracts signed.
It seems that Newcastle have made a good early start in the transfer market, by already getting four bids in, because once they get answers to them, they will have enough time to go after other targets, should they not be successful with their first picks.
However, don’t be surprised if we go after some of these targets again in the summer, if we cannot get them in during January, but whether Joe will still be the Newcastle manager then is anybody’s guess of course.
But it seems there has been agreement between Joe and Dennis Wise, and the Newcastle Board, about which players to go after, and after all the messing around in August and early Septmeber, that’s actually good news for Newcastle fans.
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
ed_speed
Dec 24, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Comment #1tom mo, my apologise, that was my dicked of a wife’s idea of a joke.
women
regards,
ed (the reeal one)
Flan
Dec 24, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Comment #2Lads happy Christmas to everybody who reads and posts on the site and to Ed keep up the good work.
ronaldeano
Dec 24, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Comment #3To Ed and all the readers…..
Merry christmas and a happy new year to you all 🙂
O'Hurley
Dec 24, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Comment #4Likewise, Ronaldeano.
Merry Christmas to everyone out there in Toonland across the world!
ed_speed
Dec 24, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Comment #5flan and ronaldenoe, your too kind.
regards,
ed
Tom Mo.
Dec 24, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Comment #6hahaha it’s fine Ed!
geordos
Dec 24, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Comment #7Happy Christmas Ed and all toon fans…
Re: this article, I think we need to get real…
Harper signing would be amazing as he is too good to be a reserve keeper…
Butt would be a good signing in terms of giving us a year to bed in a good replacement and cover potential bans and injuries in centre midfield…
Michael Owen… It is been played out exactly how we expected it to… He would never want to go in January as he wouldn’t reep the reward of the transfer fee… In real terms I can’t see many teams offering him what he wants (in terms of money and length of contract)except us and money bags Man City… As they can afford it. We can’t afford it, but similarily can’t afford to replace him.joe kinnear is doing well trying to keep us on side with Michael Owen on the slim chance he may stay…
But on Ameobi… I have to state it… I have watched him since the day he made his debut at Chelsea… He will never be good enough… I.E. Yes he can run around a pitch and knock in the odd goal… But in any premiership team that isn’t a success… I would rate him in chopra’s category but more injury prone…
Offering him a new deal prolonges the agony and spends wages that probably could be split between 2 promising youngsters…
nightfall
Dec 24, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Comment #8butt – too old..not consistent…and was never really a great football player..so don’t sign
harper – too good for reserves, and we have krul..so don’t sign
ameobi – not good enough…don’t sign
owen – good against poor sides, can’t score against top defenders, easily gets injured and his wage is astronomical..so don’t sign
viduka – too old, too lazy…don’t sign
edgar – should play more, but i can’t see this happening at our club…so don’t sign…
anything else? 🙂
Matthew Tom
Dec 25, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Comment #9At least we seem to be getting started before the transfer window is almost shut this time. Maybe we’ll get some decent players in, who knows, at least Joe is trying.
Owen won’t stay if Man City, Tottenham or Villa come in for him with matching wages. Although Spurs are meant to be talking to West Ham about Bellamy, City are probably after even flashier signings than Owen (and they already have a small world class striker in Robinho) and Villa may well fail to meet his wages.
I don’t see it as impossible that Owen will stay and I can’t see any of the big four needing him. He is a mercenary little so and so, we all know that, and the main reason we haven’t warmed to him quite like other strikers is we don’t get the feeling he really wants to play for us.
Anyway, season of good will and all that, so Merry Christmas Michael Owen. All I want for Christmas is your name on a Toon contract, gwaaan.
craig chisholm
Dec 25, 2008 at 6:42 AM
Comment #10you goda be kidding me- ameobi is still bartering over his contract terms. i would let the useless twat leave. he is crap. i would sign but on again as he and guthrie are doing ok. in all of this though you have to remember that ashley is full of shit and will not replace, so maybe its good if they all resign as even dross is better than nothing – just.
Nick
Dec 25, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Comment #11Nightfall you are absolutely spot on again. I hate these players like Butt who are far too cosy and untouchable and are just given ”jobs for the boys”.
We need a ruthless streak from the management.
1) Butt way past it. See to the end of the season but don’t sanction another 3m a year pay packet for next season!!
2) Harper – fabulous keeper but either he or Given need to move on to potect our crown jewel in KRUL. Again Given seems to be an untouchable above Harper for some reason, so probably Harps has to make a career choice now if he has any ambition.
3) Ameobi – have no problem keeping as a squad player.
4) Owen – even as captain won’t commit, is nearly 30, horrendously injury prone and on stupid wages. Let him go and move on and stop appearing so embarrassingly desperate. There is life after Owen. Hell, he’s hardly played for 3 years. Yes a good striker against lesser teams these days, but never plays more than 25 games a season.
5) Edgar – I like and I can’t see the desperation to get rid of him. Has had nowhere near as many chances as Taylor and is a far better technical player and possibly also a defensive midfield option.
6) Viduka – time’s up. Great touch player but at nearly 34, not an option at £60K a week.
Hopefully the appallingly dreadful and thick idiot Smith will be shifted and Geremi possibly kept as back up till the end of the season.
I see Veloso is now available for 7M, down from 20M !!!!!!
Marty-TOON RISING
Dec 25, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Comment #12Happy Christmas to all on this site and
ED thanks for all the endless hours you put into this Blog,Bless you and your Family