Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
By Tyne-Talk
April 5 2008
Michael Owen was hammered by the press when he joined lowly Newcastle United. From day one he was always using the club as a stepping stone to a "bigger" premier league club. He has been plagued with rumours linking him to almost all of the viable opposition and has had to continuously deny reports he didn't want to join Newcastle United.
April 5 2008
Michael Owen was hammered by the press when he joined lowly Newcastle United. From day one he was always using the club as a stepping stone to a "bigger" premier league club. He has been plagued with rumours linking him to almost all of the viable opposition and has had to continuously deny reports he didn't want to join Newcastle United.
Then there was the frantic reporting of how a clause in his contract would see him leave after season one, then again after his second year at the club. That time passed, and Owen was riddled with injury meaning he missed many games and seemed an expensive buy for the resident Physio to be practicing upon. 
Yet now, April 2008, 4 months short of Owen's 3 year anniversary at Newcastle United he has scored 4 goals in 4 games equating to 6 goals in 9 games. His form has returned, his confidence is high, and the rumours of an unsettled striker at a club he never wanted to sign for have been banished to the archives of the daily tabloids. The fans have begun signing his name from the stands and he has put on 3 consecutive outstanding performances after dropping back behind Viduka and Martins.
Owen has repeatedly stated that he wasn't pressurised into signing for the North East club managed at the time by Graeme Souness, in a move which now seems to have been Souness' finest hour.
He said at the time:
"I've had a head-spinning couple of days. I've had three great clubs in the frame but as it got nearer to the transfer deadline it became clear that Newcastle would be my destination.
I came up here and met the Newcastle contingent and thought the best bet for my future would be to join Newcastle for various reasons I've chosen Newcastle rather than Liverpool. I spoke to Liverpool but unfortunately that deal didn't come off and that's life.
Alan Shearer's been a good friend of mine for some time. It'll be an honour to play alongside him in his final season. We share lots of interests and he was one of the main reasons why I decided to sign for Newcastle United."
Many fans and famous footballing figures alike were cautious about the former Liverpool striker, but they were never hope-less and never anything but supportive.
In addition to the support he received, there is no question that there was a few curse words at the injuries he suffered in his first season, and his perceived intention to but country before club. Michael Owen has pulled through, he has kept his word to the Geordie faithful and he has never been anything but committed to the cause. Even this season when Newcastle appeared to be heading into the red, he remained optimistic, and gave his fellow team mates a confidence boost.
Now playing under his third manager in his (nearly) 3 years at the club, Owen seems content, he appears far more settled under the management of Kevin Keegan and with his two team mates Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins starting with him on the pitch. He is receiving the ball more and finding his place on the pitch to net it and Keegan has the confidence in him - a massive boost. This week he said:
"It's fantastic to hear the fans singing your name. They're world-renowned for being very vocal and supportive. We've had a poor season overall, let's not forget that, but they still turn up in droves and when you're winning, there's no place like Newcastle.
It makes it much better when you go out with your friends and family and feel good about yourself. The whole place will be buzzing. Hopefully, now we're coming towards the end of the season, we can keep giving them good results and then it will be exciting waiting for next season. I'm sure the manager will add to the squad and it will be exciting during the summer."
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| 5 Apr, 2008 16:03 | Report |
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TyneTalk (IP Logged) Unregistered User |
| 5 Apr, 2008 16:05 | Report |
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Gallowgate Luke (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Posts: 1966 |
| 5 Apr, 2008 16:12 | Report |
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Registered User |
Date Joined: Jun, 2004 Location: Posts: 2848 |
| 5 Apr, 2008 16:13 | Report |
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Ben Nufc (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Posts: 1250 |
Re: Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
I reckon he is 100% committed to us now... maybe not back then though.
He's realised he wants to stay with us and is finally trying to dismiss those rumours, if you remember at one time he wouldn't come out and say he was staying or going, this season, though he must of decided reet im staying here...Good Stuff!
newcastle самые лучшие и alan oliver будет @#$%&
He's realised he wants to stay with us and is finally trying to dismiss those rumours, if you remember at one time he wouldn't come out and say he was staying or going, this season, though he must of decided reet im staying here...Good Stuff!
newcastle самые лучшие и alan oliver будет @#$%&
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| 5 Apr, 2008 16:46 | Report |
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Registered User |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Posts: 441 |
Re: Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
Why should a player who is under contract - HAVE to come out and say he is committed to the club, time and time again?
Most of the time it's just the media trying to come up with stories that dont exist!
There were 'out' clauses in his contract - but because of injuries no-one came in for him.
If he's in KK's plans and he wants to stay - then great. If he's not in KK's plans then I will look forward to whomever KK wants to bring in.
Most of the time it's just the media trying to come up with stories that dont exist!
There were 'out' clauses in his contract - but because of injuries no-one came in for him.
If he's in KK's plans and he wants to stay - then great. If he's not in KK's plans then I will look forward to whomever KK wants to bring in.
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| 5 Apr, 2008 16:58 | Report |
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Registered User |
Date Joined: Jun, 2004 Location: Posts: 2848 |
Re: Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
I cant see why Keegan would let him go if he remains playing as he is.
The partnerships that "would never work" (yes it was said) are getting it together and the same players can be on the pitch at the same time and produce results.
Its something that was dismissed prior to Keegan arriving.
The partnerships that "would never work" (yes it was said) are getting it together and the same players can be on the pitch at the same time and produce results.
Its something that was dismissed prior to Keegan arriving.
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| 5 Apr, 2008 17:47 | Report |
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Registered User |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Newcastle Posts: 3303 |
Re: Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
He took his goal well today and he is in good form and finally finding the back of the net consistently.
If you look at his return for us since he signed its actually pretty decent.
He's becoming a good leader and knocking in the goals....he'll still get called up for England and he'll still get a hefty wage packet every week.
What more could you want other than European football....which he'll have next season
If you look at his return for us since he signed its actually pretty decent.
He's becoming a good leader and knocking in the goals....he'll still get called up for England and he'll still get a hefty wage packet every week.
What more could you want other than European football....which he'll have next season
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| 5 Apr, 2008 18:21 | Report |
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nathan robinson (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Jun, 2004 Location: Posts: 1328 |
Re: Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
He's got 17 goals in 36 starts for us, when considering he's been in and out of the squad and hasn't been 100% regularly when playing since he signed that is indeed a good return, and can only see that goal record improving next season if he stays fit.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:05:18:23:18 by nathan robinson.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:05:18:23:18 by nathan robinson.
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| 6 Apr, 2008 00:45 | Report |
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The No (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Posts: 34 |
Re: Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
I am still not convinced Owen's heart is fully with us, and despite what it says above about fans singing his name, I get the impression that for the majority of fans the feeling is mutual; certainly his name isn't cheered with the same gusto as Oba's. Even today I barely heard Owen's name sing with feeling.
It is undeniable that the story behind our recovery has been Owen's form in a new role Keegan has handed him. But with each strong display he's given, I have felt a twinge of regret as it is clearly reminding window shoppers (and himself?) what he's capable of.
I wouldn't be surprised if Owen nicked off in the summer (and isn't his contract up in August anyway?). But for the first time I would now say I'd be gutted if he did.
It is undeniable that the story behind our recovery has been Owen's form in a new role Keegan has handed him. But with each strong display he's given, I have felt a twinge of regret as it is clearly reminding window shoppers (and himself?) what he's capable of.
I wouldn't be surprised if Owen nicked off in the summer (and isn't his contract up in August anyway?). But for the first time I would now say I'd be gutted if he did.
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| 7 Apr, 2008 00:22 | Report |
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senyabtoon (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Posts: 500 |
Re: Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
Well owen has his critics god knows why when everyone knows how good his goal record is even for the toon as mentioned above i have always been a huge owen fan but the only way we will get an answer to the stepping stone question is if he signs a new deal.
I really really hope he does because when you look at where we are at we gotta think this season could still turn out to be are worst in the prem so how would we replace a talent like owen untill we get into europe and viduka has not got much football left in his legs ok we got oba but viduka can only get older and slower and if we lose owen kk has got one hell of a job to replace two players as good as owen and viduka which must be in kev's mind somewhere so in my opinion we need him for atleast 2 more years to help kk take us back where we belong!
I really really hope he does because when you look at where we are at we gotta think this season could still turn out to be are worst in the prem so how would we replace a talent like owen untill we get into europe and viduka has not got much football left in his legs ok we got oba but viduka can only get older and slower and if we lose owen kk has got one hell of a job to replace two players as good as owen and viduka which must be in kev's mind somewhere so in my opinion we need him for atleast 2 more years to help kk take us back where we belong!
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| 8 Apr, 2008 20:26 | Report |
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Registered User |
Date Joined: Jun, 2004 Location: Posts: 2848 |
Re: Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
Quote:senyabtoon
kk has got one hell of a job to replace two players as good as owen and viduka which must be in kev's mind somewhere so in my opinion we need him for atleast 2 more years to help kk take us back where we belong!
Agree, we need some decent strikers on our bench (not discrediting those we currently have though limited).
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| 8 Apr, 2008 20:40 | Report |
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nm. . . |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Preston Posts: 911 |
Re: Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
If Cashley has his checkbook then this is a team that could push us up into top 6. No Owen as I ain't no big fan of him.
Sign Henry (if possible) and swap Lennon for N'Zoggy (if he doesn't want to be here) Bullard and Carrick (if possible). Top 6 easy.
---------Given
Beye-Faye-Tayloe-Enrique
Lennon-Carrick-Barton-N'Zogbia/(new signing)
------Martins-Henry
Bench:Harps, Bullard, Milner, Owen/Viduka, Edgar(versatile as ewt)
Sign Henry (if possible) and swap Lennon for N'Zoggy (if he doesn't want to be here) Bullard and Carrick (if possible). Top 6 easy.
---------Given
Beye-Faye-Tayloe-Enrique
Lennon-Carrick-Barton-N'Zogbia/(new signing)
------Martins-Henry
Bench:Harps, Bullard, Milner, Owen/Viduka, Edgar(versatile as ewt)
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| 8 Apr, 2008 20:44 | Report |
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broon ale quality tester |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Astoria, Queens Posts: 2905 |
Re: Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
I'd start Milner over Lennon-yes, I think Milner should play for England before Lennon (but not SWP or Bently). I've never understood the love affair with Lennon. OK, he's fast. So are lots of players not good enough to start in the PL.
NO to Lennon. His development has hit a wall and he's not all that.
NO to Lennon. His development has hit a wall and he's not all that.
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| 8 Apr, 2008 21:02 | Report |
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nm. . . |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Preston Posts: 911 |
Re: Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
I suppose but never Bentley over Milner. There ain't that much between them. He is massively overrated. I went at the weekend and Lennon was better than Bentley. I like Lennon for his speed. I admit I love watching a player bomb it but after watchin Pool vs. Le Arsenal Walcott would be a better buy.
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| 9 Apr, 2008 13:44 | Report |
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broon ale quality tester |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Astoria, Queens Posts: 2905 |
Re: Who Said Owen Was Using NUFC As A Stepping Stone??
Walcott would be sweet, of course, but there's no way Wenger's going to let him go. Besides, he's clearly on the verge of being a starter at Arsenal-Walcott wouldn't want to leave that.
I like Bently because his final ball is generally higher quality than Lennon and his dribbling ability is better than Milner's. He's something of a blend of the other two.
I like Bently because his final ball is generally higher quality than Lennon and his dribbling ability is better than Milner's. He's something of a blend of the other two.
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