Michael Owen Hit's Back

[scousemouse]

I don't really feel sorry for him . Just hope he gets fit again ( again ) and gets back to scoring sh#t loads of goals for club ( where ever that is ) and country. He is going to break Sir Bobby Charlton's goal record for England and yet has never had any sort of praise , except for 1 night in France back in 98 .

<H1 align=center>OWEN: WHATEVER I SAY IS TWISTED</H1>

Michael Owen joins Sport of the World

SUDDENLY I am being portrayed as a football rebel — someone who wants to take on the world in general and Sam Allardyce in particular.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I can honestly say, hand on heart, I have never, ever set out to cause a single problem for any of my managers. And I'm sure I've succeeded in that aim.

But over the last few weeks, I have been misrepresented in a way that has made me feel very frustrated and, at times, angry.

It all stemmed from my recent double stomach operation in Germany which enabled me to be fit and ready for action again in eight days.

Now you might have thought that was a cause for celebration, having worked hard to recover in record time.

It was certainly a positive episode as far as I was concerned but it soon became a massive negative with accusations that I had rushed back too soon so I could play in the England games against Estonia and Russia.

The spin was put on it that I was more concerned about playing for my country than my club.

As a result of that people have tried to drive a wedge between myself and Sam Allardyce.

I was even told about one headline which quoted me as saying "Shut It Sam". If you look at my actual comments I did not use the words "shut", or "it" or "Sam".

Someone with a very vivid imagination dreamed that one up.

Let me now try to clarify the situation.

I recognise that my club manager wants me to be fit and available for every game for Newcastle. And, believe it or not, so do I.

What I must also point out, though, is that I am fortunate enough to play for two teams — England and Newcastle.

And as long as I am fit, I will try my hardest to play well and score goals for both.

It was in Sport of the World two weeks ago that I stated quite clearly that my priority after the two operations lay with Newcastle.

I explained that my original comeback target was to play against Spurs, in the game immediately after the international break.

And that anything ahead of that would be a bonus.

In fact, it was Sam Allardyce who first raised the possibility of me being fit for the game against Everton after he had spoken to the surgeon who carried out my operations.

As it turned out, I was fit for that game — albeit as a substitute — but it was never a case of me rushing back for Newcastle just so I could join up with England.

You can imagine how I felt then when I was warming up before the Everton game to hear one Newcastle fan shout at me: "Come on Owen, it's about time you put us before England."

That hurt me almost as much as pushing myself through the pain barrier in the days immediately after my surgery.

No one but me knows what that involved.

And, it seems, no one wants to believe I was doing it for both my club AND my country.

I have missed far too much football in recent seasons to be able to afford to pick and choose which matches I want to play in.

I will repeat: I want to play in EVERY game, whether it is for Newcastle or England.

A footballer's career is short enough as it is without deliberately missing out on big matches.

But sometimes I cannot win. I have had games for England when I haven't done particularly well and suddenly I am labelled a bad player.

Then, if I score a few goals for the national team, as I did against Russia at home and away in Estonia last season, I'm accused of putting my country before my club.

It's a good job I am a fairly level-headed person or it would drive me mad.

But I have been in the game long enough to know how things can just spiral out of control. While I was away with England last week, there were comments about release clauses in my contract, how I needed to prove myself at Newcastle and even my team-mate Joey Barton was dragged into the debate.

He said he wanted to get fit again for Newcastle before considering a recall for England — and that was perceived as an attack on me.

I will ignore all that for now and get on with my job.

I suppose I should be used to all this.

It happened to me before when I was a Liverpool player.

I broke into the England team and did well internationally almost before I had properly established myself at Anfield.

The Reds fans didn't like that because they thought I was only interested in my international career.

But I did manage to turn them around by scoring loads of goals in helping Liverpool to win an unprecedented cup treble in 2001.

For the first time the fans started chanting my name on a regular basis and I was referred to as "Liverpool's Michael Owen" rather than "the England striker Michael Owen".

I guess that is the way to win over public opinion at Newcastle as well.

If I can score the goals that will help them win a trophy or two, that will prove how much I am committed to the club.

I would love to do just that. But at the same time, I want to help England to win something as well.

And I still reckon it is possible to enjoy the best of both of those worlds. Interview: DAVID HARRISON

[Spit the Dog]

To be fair to Owen he's never really stated that he wants to leave Newcastle. But on the other hand he's never really came out and committed himself publicly to wanting to stay with Newcastle.

Newcastle have invested a lot of time and money in Owen and are entitled to some return on their investment. If Owen was to string a number of games together and start scoring goals but at the same time Newcastle still continued to flounder in midtable then I don't think anybody would begrudge him a move to a better club.

[scousemouse]

It's said to be that he can leave for 10 million in the January transfer window and for 6 million next summer.

Not to sure what Michael will do .

[mrbojangles]

I don't think anybody would begrudge him a move to a better club.

I don't think any of us in the top three really want him

I've been waiting all my life to say that

[scousemouse]

I don't think anybody would begrudge him a move to a better club.

I don't think any of us in the top three really want him

I've been waiting all my life to say that

Enjoy it while it last's Mr b

[mrtoad]

I don't think anybody would begrudge him a move to a better club.

I don't think any of us in the top three really want him

I've been waiting all my life to say that

Enjoy it while it last's Mr b

Knowing Owen, he's probably pulled a hamstring after that rant

[scousemouse]

I don't think anybody would begrudge him a move to a better club.

I don't think any of us in the top three really want him

I've been waiting all my life to say that

Enjoy it while it last's Mr b

Knowing Owen, he's probably pulled a hamstring after that rant

It really is a tough one to guess what his next move will be.

I just hope whatever move he makes next is for the best .

[game4shame]

It really is a tough one to guess what his next move will be.

I predict his next move will be towards the treatment room.

[mrtoad]

It really is a tough one to guess what his next move will be.

I predict his next move will be towards the treatment room.

He's probably already there. Maybe he has a Physio fetish or something.

[Spit the Dog]

It really is a tough one to guess what his next move will be.

I predict his next move will be towards the treatment room.

He's probably already there. Maybe he has a Physio fetish or something.

Yes, I believe that he was recently over in Germany visiting a female doctor for his groin problem.

[scousemouse]

He played last night in the 3-1 win against spurs .

He didn't score but looked sharp. He was playing up front with martins and I reckon he'll play better and score more goals with Viduka as his strike partner.

He came off after 79 mins but the change was a tactical one by big Sam and not because of an injury.

[mrtoad]

He played last night in the 3-1 win against spurs .

He didn't score but looked sharp. He was playing up front with martins and I reckon he'll play better and score more goals with Viduka as his strike partner.

He came off after 79 mins but the change was a tactical one by big Sam and not because of an injury.

He must be due a hamstring by now. What's that 4 games in a row? Must be a new record.

Edited October 23, 2007 by mrtoad

[scousemouse]

I've just finished watching the Sunderland v Newcastle game ( good game , ended 1-1 ) and have to say that Michael Owen looks a shadow of his former self .

He was well off the pace and looked a sad sight when he went off in the 83rd minute.

[Sunderland]

I've just finished watching the Sunderland v Newcastle game ( good game , ended 1-1 ) and have to say that Michael Owen looks a shadow of his former self .

He was well off the pace and looked a sad sight when he went off in the 83rd minute.

In fairness Viduka was the same. I thought that Newcastle looked off the pace in the first half and Sunderland were just hungrier. Not really the kind of game for Owen to settle in. For sure, Owen is not the same player he once was for Liverpool in his younger days. Not sure if he will ever recapture that form.

[KhaoNiaw]

To be fair to Owen he's never really stated that he wants to leave Newcastle. But on the other hand he's never really came out and committed himself publicly to wanting to stay with Newcastle.

Not as if he's ever done anything like that before.

Nothing against the lad really, but he's made some very bad choices in his career.

He had the chance to go back to Anfield. Don't reckon he'll ever get another one.

[Spit the Dog]

Yes Owen hasn't been sharp this season unless he's been playing some 5th rate European nation wearing England colours.

I find it strange that Big Sam persists playing Owen when he has Obafemi Martins sat on the bench.

[scousemouse]

I wonder what the odd's are on Owen playing really well for England next week and finding the back of the net in the games against Austria and Croatia .

[scousemouse]

I wonder what the odd's are on Owen playing really well for England next week and finding the back of the net in the games against Austria and Croatia .

Well off the mark

dear oh dear , Owen gets injured and is out for a month :

Michael Owen will miss England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday after suffering an injury in the 1-0 friendly win in Austria.

The Newcastle striker went off in the first half and BBC Sport understands the injury is worse than first thought as he has torn a muscle in his thigh.

"It's a massive blow," said England manager Steve McClaren.

England will need to beat Croatia or draw if results in Saturday's qualifying matches go their way.

If Russia draw in Israel then England will need to beat Croatia but a loss for Russia would see England needing a point on Wednesday at Wembley.

A loss for Croatia would see England needing to beat them by two goals or more to book a place in next summer's finals.

McClaren is already without forward Wayne Rooney with an ankle injury and the absence of Owen will leave him short of options up front.

Speaking immediately after the match, McClaren said: "It was a strange one, it was Michael's standing foot.

"He's pulled his thigh and unfortunately he's out."

BBC Sport understands Owen could be out of action for more than a month with his latest injury setback.

[mrtoad]

It was &lt;deleted&gt; ludicrous to risk Owen in that friendly, especially when you consider that Rooney was already out. I reckon the next time Owen speaks to the media he's going to get injured, with maybe Pinocchio's disease for all the BS that he says he doesn't want to move.

[mrtoad]

Owen off to Germany for treatment

Newcastle striker Michael Owen has gone to Germany for treatment to speed up his return from a thigh injury suffered in England's friendly win in Austria.

Owen, 27, was replaced early in the game and Magpies boss Sam Allardyce is without the player for a lengthy spell.

"At the moment we do not see the point in changing our view that he will be out for between six and four weeks," Allardyce told his club's website.

"But, if we can get him back quicker it will be a big bonus for everyone."

Owen has failed to start on a consistent basis for Newcastle and his spell at the club has been blighted by injuries since a £16m move to St James' Park in August 2005.

He recently underwent surgery on a stomach injury in Germany and, although he returned sooner than predicted on that occasion, Allardyce is keen not to create too much expectation this time around.

"If we start talking about him coming back earlier there will be disappointment if he does not," said Allardyce.

Looks like he might not be back until the new year. I suppose he can put his feet up for Christmas now, and hope he's off in the January sales. Thing is, who will actually want to buy him?

Answears on a postage stamp.

[scousemouse]

He won't have that much time to put himself in the shop window for January .

[game4shame]

owen's injured? that's a first.

[scousemouse]

It looks like Owen is getting his reasons ready for a move in the summer :

Owen fearful of England omission

Owen last played for England against Austria in November 2007Michael Owen believes he could miss out on Fabio Capello's England squad to face France on March 26 if Newcastle's miserable run of results continues.

The 28-year-old striker has scored only five goals for the Magpies this season during an injury-hit campaign.

Owen told BBC Radio 5 Live: "When you are down it's hard to be listened to.

"Results are not going well and, when you are not playing well as a team and individually, then individuals will not get picked for the national team."

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid frontman was an unused substitute during Capello's first match in charge - a 2-1 win over Switzerland on 6 February. "The new manager has only had one game in charge and that was a friendly so we will see what develops," added Owen.

[mrtoad]

It looks like Owen is getting his reasons ready for a move in the summer :

Yeah, but who will buy him? Only Newcircus were prepared to take the gamble last time, and he has hardly been a sucess. Long gone are his good days as he has lost his main asset -pace, and the fact that he's always injured means he's a liability.

[scousemouse]

It looks like Owen is getting his reasons ready for a move in the summer :

Yeah, but who will buy him? Only Newcircus were prepared to take the gamble last time, and he has hardly been a sucess. Long gone are his good days as he has lost his main asset -pace, and the fact that he's always injured means he's a liability.

It was only 7 months ago that the likes of Liverpool and the mancs were queing up for Owens siganture .

Now he has no chance of signing for one of the big 4 clubs , though there are still alot of teams in the premiership I think who would sign Owen , the likes of Man City , Pompey , West Ham , Boro , Villa and if he's really desperate for a game in the premiership he could always join the bluesh#te .

[mrtoad]

It looks like Owen is getting his reasons ready for a move in the summer :

Yeah, but who will buy him? Only Newcircus were prepared to take the gamble last time, and he has hardly been a sucess. Long gone are his good days as he has lost his main asset -pace, and the fact that he's always injured means he's a liability.

It was only 7 months ago that the likes of Liverpool and the mancs were queing up for Owens siganture .

Now he has no chance of signing for one of the big 4 clubs , though there are still alot of teams in the premiership I think who would sign Owen , the likes of Man City , Pompey , West Ham , Boro , Villa and if he's really desperate for a game in the premiership he could always join the bluesh#te .

I reckon he'll ened up at Bristol City, after they get promoted and the Skunks go down. lol

[KhaoNiaw]

It looks like Owen is getting his reasons ready for a move in the summer :

Yeah, but who will buy him? Only Newcircus were prepared to take the gamble last time,

Nope, he could have gone back to Anfield but lost his bottle and signed for the Barcodes. Luckily for Liverpool.

[mrbojangles]

the likes of Man City , Pompey , West Ham , Boro , Villa and if he's really desperate for a game in the premiership he could always join the bluesh#te .

How dare you mention us in the same breath as that other lot

[scousemouse]

the likes of Man City , Pompey , West Ham , Boro , Villa and if he's really desperate for a game in the premiership he could always join the bluesh#te .

How dare you mention us in the same breath as that other lot

I saw this post coming

[scousemouse]

It looks like Owen is getting his reasons ready for a move in the summer :

Yeah, but who will buy him? Only Newcircus were prepared to take the gamble last time,

Nope, he could have gone back to Anfield but lost his bottle and signed for the Barcodes. Luckily for Liverpool.

Edited March 11, 2008 by scousemouse