Michael Owen has finally spoken up about his future at Newcastle United in his Times column today – and it’s good news for Newcastle United, Sam Allardyce, the fans, the owners and everyone connected to the club.
Michael talks in glowing terms about the new methods Sam has introduced in training and the changes happening at the club from top to bottom.
Let’s take a look at what Michael says – it certainly sounds like a glowing advertisement for Newcastle – to any player considering coming to Tyneside. Nice way to start the day. 😀
Michael Owen – told you I was staying
Michael also talks about having a new manager, new training staff, and of course a new owner – all of which happened almost simultaneously in May.
He rightly points out that any one of these would have caused a buzz at any club but to have all happen at once makes the excitement at Newcastle amongst both fans and players very high. How right he is.
This is what Michael says about manager Sam Allardyce – whom he talks about at great length:
I met the manager when I was with the England camp at the end of last season, so we’ve been in a good dialog all summer. He has brought in his backroom staff from Bolton Wanderers and shown that he intends to do things thoroughly. We’ve not seen him at work on a match-day, but you can see how meticulous he is.
Newcastle have not had a good time with injuries over the years and while some people have bemoaned bad luck or even a curse, the manager has set about rectifying it the right way – with hard work and medical science. If you need a chiropractor, he will make sure one is on hand. If a foot is giving you problems, he’ll make sure you are put on to a top-notch podiatrist.
I am sure the manager sees this job as a fantastic opportunity for him to be challenging for trophies. It is not so long ago that this club were up there in the top four and, while no one is making any predictions, at the very least we should be up there going for Europe. Everyone knows that the fans and the stadium give Newcastle the foundations to become one of the biggest clubs in the country.
From what I have seen, Sam Allardyce is a great combination of British and foreign strengths, a man rooted in the English game who understands its passions but is also open to new ideas. I can’t say that he has been participating in the early morning bike rides, the swimming or the Pilates too much, but then he would argue that delegation and knowing when to step back are important parts of management.
Hopefully all that toil has put us in good shape when the season kicks off because there have been too many years of under-achievement on Tyneside.
This club have so much potential. I want to help to realize it.
Well Michael certainly seems impressed with Sam and it’s very good that Sam was in good contact with Michael over the summer. We think Sam has won his first battle in keeping Michael Owen at Newcastle. The next thing he needs to do is get Michael firing on all cylinders – get us up there challenging in the top six – and then have Michael extend his contract – so he’s available to us when we challenge for the Premiership title in 2-4 years. We also like Michael’s little dig that Sam was not participating in the early morning bike rides. 😀
This is also a great omen that Oba Martins will also commit his future to the club….which we expect to hear something about in the next day or two.
And generally Michael talks to the Times about Newcastle United – and the transformation happening – and it’s a bright future we can all look forward to:
I believe that these can be good times to be at Newcastle, which is why I am more than happy to be here. There has been plenty of speculation about my future, but I can assure the Newcastle fans that I didn’t start any of it.
There was a lot of talk from other quarters and my attitude to rumor has always been to ignore it. I don’t really feel that I should be responding all the time to stories in the newspapers and I certainly didn’t want to be forced into making comments.
I prefer to let my actions speak for themselves and I just wish there had been more opportunities to show the Newcastle fans what I am capable of. I am sure that is to come this season.
With Mark, Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi, I am sure that the manager is excited about his attacking options and he has been working hard to strengthen the rest of the team.
We think it’s an excellent article by Michael and puts his club Newcastle in a very positive light. Can’t help but contrast what’s happening at West Ham with what’s happening at Newcastle. Newcastle are going about their business in a seemingly professional manner and yet West Ham are out there offering ridiculous fees for players and ridiculous wages to players. Much like Chelsea were doing when Abramovich took over. Personally we like Sam’s approach in bringing in good solid players at reasonable fees – at least for this summer.
We’re very pleased that Michael is staying at Newcastle. We just wish he could have made a positive statement like this in May that would have prevented a lot of the press speculation that went on during the summer.
But hey – that’s now water under the bridge – and better late than never . 😀
Comments very welcome.
37 comments so far
Nick
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:24 AM
Comment #1Finally, at least now I think people can stop speculating already … let’s see how this would influence recruitments 😉
Ed Harrison
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:25 AM
Comment #2it has to be positive Nick – now for Oba to commit.
valle
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:27 AM
Comment #3Its great to hear Michael say it but i can understand why he dosnt feel he needs to comment everytime there is a rumour about him… Well ill leave som space for all those that spoke ill of him, so that they can eat their words now.
Pete
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:36 AM
Comment #4The thing is what he says and what he does are 2 different things. If he really wants to prove that he wants to stay then he will sign a new contract without the buyout clauses in.
He will use this season to prove his fitness and then next season (or even in January) he will be off to another club for 6 (or is it 7?) million.
I would still take 9 million for him now then 6 million for him next year.
Chris
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:39 AM
Comment #5If Owen had of made that comment in May it would have made no difference to the speculation. I’m over the moon that he’s eventually committed. Let’s hope he starts bagging plenty goals and commits even longer when he sees the club going in the right direction.
Ed Harrison
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:42 AM
Comment #6We’ll just have to see with Michael – he certainly could have stopped the press talk during the summer. We’ll have to trust Michael – but recommitting and signing contract extension without buyout clause is what he needs to do within the year to really show he’s fully committed to Newcastle.
Ed Harrison
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:43 AM
Comment #7Personally I think Michael will commit to Newcastle – but we (and he) needs a good season next season and he and Sam both know that.
WelshWizard
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:53 AM
Comment #8Just what i hoped for MO to say, we need world class players like him at the Toon but him saying he wants to play for us doesn’t stop another team activating his release clause.
I feel alot happier today for what he has said but roll on September 1st and a Newcastle team with MO still it…
Dave
Jul 12, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Comment #9Great news…coming just as both Liverpool and ManU sort out their attacking options. Hmmmm. Still great news though ay?
Sturla
Jul 12, 2007 at 10:09 AM
Comment #10Pete, I don’t think the club is offering him a new contract at the moment. Perhaps they will if he proves his fitness. Lets just hope it wont be to late by then. Owen has spoken before that he will stay at Newcastle as long as we’ll have him. For me that’s a good indication that he would sign a new contract.
Personally I think people have been judging him way to hard. Every time he talks about Newcastle , it’s a positive, committed talk. The rest is all gossip talk. His scoring record is impressive if we look at it per games. Of course it is frustrating that he’s been in injured so much, but hopefully thats behind him.
Ed Harrison
Jul 12, 2007 at 10:12 AM
Comment #11sturla – have to agree with you on that one .
ende
Jul 12, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Comment #12As I said in an earlier post… What Michael wants is to play on a competitive, successful ‘big team’. No wonder he may have wanted out the way things were looking before BSA took the reins. But guess what? Now Newcastle might very well be turning into the kind of team Owen desires to play for… and what’s more, he himself could serve as a huge contributing factor to that revolution. There’s potentially a glorious future here at Newcastle for Owen if he’s willing to see that possibility.. and I think he is. If Owen ever dreamt of leading a team to glory, this is the time.
Kash
Jul 12, 2007 at 10:32 AM
Comment #13I honestly don’t think the situation has changed with MO coming out vowing his commitment. It was blatantly obvious he was going to see the year out. He hasn’t pledged to remain for the season, he said YEAR. The way i see it, is that he has a good start, bangs in 15 goals by xmas, then we’ll be high up the league. Teams may come in for him, but he might stay because we’re doing well. Either way, we’ll be doing well and still have money to buy another striker. If he has a bad start, no one will come in for him, and our season is a work in progress. WIN WIN situation!!!!! Aldo Duscher and Deco on there way in, LOVE IT!!!!
evil dick
Jul 12, 2007 at 10:35 AM
Comment #14I’m sure if Newcastle are performing well then he will sign a new contract when offered. But if we’re struggling, then why would he want to?
I would love to be there for the first home game of the season, the atmosphere will be amazing!
Craig F
Jul 12, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Comment #15The good thing about him staying to ‘prove his fitness’ is that if he does well theres more than a good chance we’ll be in Europe, therefore bypassing the escape clause meaning we’ll at least get the market value for him which in my opinion should be more like £12m-£15m! To be honest i prefer Martins despite his dodgy touch as all that can be improved… withy the right guidance.
jeff
Jul 12, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Comment #16Ive stated all along Owen doesnt need to make any comment on speculation about his future hopefully this will put an end to it all..IF he had come out and said it in may the press wouldve said there was a double meaning to his statement so Owen was always in a no win situation……Now lets move on from this and get behind him cos on our books we have a world class striker and again after Shearer we have another ENGLANDS NUMBER ONE!!!!!!
john75
Jul 12, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Comment #17Now that he has said he is happy and commited (which he always has when he’s made statements), we should all drop the matter, especially the press and let him and his team-mates get on with their preparations for the new season
jeff
Jul 12, 2007 at 10:50 AM
Comment #18Here here John come on the toon
Javier
Jul 12, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Comment #19its funny how he commits at the end of the transfer window when nobody has shown an interest in him. r well i suppose i would do the same if i was englands no.1 striker and playing for a club who hasnt won a trophy in 50 years
jeff
Jul 12, 2007 at 11:11 AM
Comment #20Javier its not end of transfer window till end of august you nugget……….obviously another idiot who doesnt get behind players but just slags them off instead
Nick B-S
Jul 12, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Comment #21i think that it’s took him so long to commit beacause no big clubs have shown any real interest in him over the summer. i think he’s come to terms with that and to make him look good he commits his future to the toon. i don’t buy it! however who wouldn’t want michael owen in there squad.
WelshWizard
Jul 12, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Comment #22Javier – You worry about your Smoggies, dont see much of a buzz going around down there at the mo. Haven’t you got any sites of your own!!!!
john75
Jul 12, 2007 at 11:29 AM
Comment #23Taxi outside for Javier
Bren Crilley
Jul 12, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Comment #24Fantastic news about Owen and his focused commitment toward the Toon. Oba should I hope follow suit and then perhaps the ball is with Big Sam to ‘re-contract’ both players without the clauses!. Shola for me remains the weak link and while I like the Viduka signing, his mental strength and desire is some times found ‘wanting’ and he is over 30. I would like to see Big Sam bring Chops back and give him a full chance in the team. Sam seems t know what he is doing (which makes a change from other previous managers) and so should be able to improve Chropra and help him full fill his potential as the next Shearer. He has had a better season with a worse team than Nugent – he just needs a real opportunity and Sunderland should not be the team to benefit in the way that Southampton and Blackburn benefitted from the Shearer mistake!
jeff
Jul 12, 2007 at 1:12 PM
Comment #25if people actually took time to listen to sam when interviewed when talking about the carling deal they would have heard sam say then when a reporter asked about the michael owen situation sam replied michael owen isnt a concern right now that was sorted out weeks ago his concern when asked was about martins…..so reading into that sam had spoken to owen weeks ago and got his answer then……at the end of the day sam is the man who needs to know,thats the main thing and like owen says he doesnt responed or wont comment on anything when he is forced too….good on him NOW GET BEHIND OUR WORLD CLASS STRIKER!!!!
Cathal
Jul 12, 2007 at 1:21 PM
Comment #26fair duce to micheal! and iv been saying since the start of the summer he wasnt going to move, that all the speculation was bullshit and the reason he didnt reassure every1 bcos hes a very private person. i dont blame him for not sayin anything earlier, lik y shud he, he owes the press nothing and he doesnt want them running his life! i cant wait to c him and viduka up front, its going to b sumtin very special!!
big pea ov the weab
Jul 12, 2007 at 2:21 PM
Comment #27i always new that micheal would commit to the toon thats shows even the top class players see big changes at the toon i hope we can change sams name in the ext few seasons to god
És
Jul 12, 2007 at 2:40 PM
Comment #28it is a relief for all Newcastle united fans, I’m glad that Owen says it the way he does, because then the other teams know that he will stay here, and do the job for us =).
Thanks Owen :).
I hope that Martins say the same, and will sign a new contract that will take the clause away;).
Lull
Jul 12, 2007 at 3:12 PM
Comment #29Javier,you little Teesside m**herf*&^ker! Hahaha…
AlexW
Jul 12, 2007 at 4:38 PM
Comment #30well this is great news, but i feel that michael woudn’t of given this commitment if none of the top four was interested, lets be honest, he waited so long to commit himslef just to make sure that there wasnt another club interested, now he knows there isn’t he comes out with this statement trying to come off as the good lad who always wanted to be at newcastle. Dont get me wrong am delighted hes staying but im still not sure if his heart is there, well soon find out if he accepts a contract without any clauses. Hope OBA stays hes mental 😀
Cockney Magpie
Jul 12, 2007 at 5:28 PM
Comment #31Chris is right about if he had made the statement in may it would have been the same because didnt Oba apprentlly commit his future to Newcastle a couple of months ago and he is stil going to Arsenal every week! .
Ed Harrison
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:40 PM
Comment #32Cockney Magpie – yes Oba said he was happy at Newcastle in May – maybe there’s nothing in the story at all – hope it’s paper talk and hope he will announce tomorrow he’s staying – just like Michael did today. Team spirit will take a lift because the players know something good is happening at the club – not just because of Sam but Mike Ashley and Chris Mort too – on the business side of things.
Ed Harrison
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:42 PM
Comment #33AlexW – we’ll just have to see how Michael does – but hopefully we can take off next season with all the good stuff that’s been happening on the management and playing side – and maybe Michael will want to be part of the adventure after that.
Ed Harrison
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:43 PM
Comment #34jeff – you were right – we agree.
Ed Harrison
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:44 PM
Comment #35ende – love it – great comment.
jeff
Jul 13, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Comment #36its getting radiculas now regarding Michael Owen …..He has said he is staying now newcastlemadco.uk are saying they’ve heard from scousers that its cos they signed torres……….whether it is or not makes no difference the same as when people say owen has only said it cos none of the top four have come in for him…….its July!!! transfer window goes on till august christ when are people going to just let it drop…He has said what people have been crying out for him to say,now shut it and get behind the bloke man….
Ed Harrison
Jul 13, 2007 at 1:20 PM
Comment #37jeff – we agree – we need to bury that one now. Next up is Martins – hoping we may hear something today on his siutation – and we hope he’ll stay – then we’ll be in good shape – at least for our strikers 😀