Owen has it all to do
Wed Jul 01 02:02PM
At the ripe old age of 29, it seems odd that a player should still have to prove himself, especially one who has starred for both club and country over the years.
But that is exactly the situation Michael Owen finds himself in after an injury-plagued and ultimately disappointing spell with Newcastle.
He may well have played for two of the world's biggest clubs, scored 40 goals for his country and won the Ballon d'Or, but with his 30th birthday fast approaching he must feel like he is having to start all over again.
Regularly we hear that Owen is a proven goalscorer. He may well be, but it means nothing if he has shown few signs to justify that label of late.
In football, they say you're only as good as your last game. And Owen regularly failed to prove he can still lay claim to being a top-class striker over the course of the past season.
Of course, a lot of his appearances came off the bench, and there is only so much a player can do in the space of 20 minutes.
He did manage to score a few - eight of them in the league - but much, much more was expected from him.
It was his work ethic that most damaged his reputation - when Newcastle needed him most he more often than not failed to stand up and be counted. For that reason, he now has it all to do once again.
It's all about how much Owen wants it; he has to prove his desire to succeed is still there. The likes of David Moyes, Martin O'Neill, Tony Pulis and Phil Brown expect their players to die for the cause and will not stand for someone who is not willing to give them 110 per cent.
Owen will also have to prove his fitness before he can be taken seriously again. That's why it comes as no surprise to see a pay-as-you-play deal mooted.
Indeed, with one of those arrangements in place, and considering he will move for free, the hiring of Owen appears to be low risk.
And if he proves his doubters wrong by staying fit and rediscovering some of the kind of form that once made him one of the most feared young strikers in the world, he could yet prove a valuable asset.
Out of the four Premier League clubs linked to him - Aston Villa, Everton, Stoke City and Hull City - I think Owen's best chance of turning things around for himself lies at Stoke.
With his pace gone, it's unlikely we'll again see the likes of his goal against Argentina at the World Cup in 1998. Owen's main threat now comes from his finishing instinct in the box.
And considering the Potters are so adept at getting the ball into that area, rather than relying on getting in behind the opposition back line, Owen could well get his career back on track at the most unlikely of places.
On the whole, I think you're right. Owen will put the ball in the net if you get it to him in the box, but if you give him the ball 30 yards out now and ask him to do something, he won't deliver. A great finisher, but needs plenty of service and balls from midfield to score his goals. He can't create his own chances.
From akilesh_radhakrishnan on Wed Jul 01 05:32PMowen has alot to give,if his on a free pay per game until he prove's fit and then offer a contract.if he want's to play at top flight football,he'd sign on any tearm's??????????????
From grayswood20 on Wed Jul 01 05:54PMHas Been, go on retire now or is he looking to con some other poor club of their money
From sheldec55 on Wed Jul 01 06:16PMI always read your articles Parker then the comments of all of your fans giving you S**T and it always brings a smile to my face! Keep up the W**k articles and I look forward in reading the abuse you get! Man Who C**K
From mrwindymiller on Wed Jul 01 06:24PMomg someone reading this article might not know that you used to play for man utd. You should mention such a key fact in future articles.
From karenswayne on Wed Jul 01 06:25PMi think owen would be a good buy for man utd stick him on the bench sell a few shirts, always good 4 a laugh
From brettri1975 on Wed Jul 01 06:41PMOWEN 4 CHELSEA. WE'LL MAKE HIM INTO THE STRIKER HE USTA BE. WE MADE DROGBA, ESSIEN, LAMPARD, JOE COLE, TERRY AND MANY MORE. UP THE BLUES!!!!!!
From marshcharlie on Wed Jul 01 06:43PMhe shouldnt retire, he should simply move to a club with players who have talent and can feed him opportunities, class needs class round it.
From chromedome32666 on Wed Jul 01 06:56PMHey Parker, here is a tip for your next article - "Benzema deal shows up Man U". We are still waiting for your take on the Barcelona - Man U CL Finals. Yep the one played in Rome!!!!
From misi_alele on Wed Jul 01 07:02PMI believe Michael Owen would suit Everton's style of play but his level of fitness and evidence of being injury prone could keep Everton away.
From roger.williams20 on Wed Jul 01 07:09PMI'm a Forest fan. I have to say that to keep Cameron happy. Owen is not a proven goal scorer. He has never scored 20 goals in a season, even at his prime. His assets were pace and quick reactions around the 6 yard box. They have gone. So it doesn't matter what service he gets he won't be able to out pace defenders or be first to the ball in the box to nick into the net. Shame because I liked the guy. But his career at the top is over.
From kevinwpage on Wed Jul 01 07:13PMOWEN HAS GONE ,HE HAS PROVED IN HIS TIME AT NEWCASTLE THAT HE NO LONGER HAS THE DESIRE TO WANT TO SHOW WHAT HE CAN DO,SIMPLY IF YOU WANT TO DO IT, YOU WILL DO IT ,ONCE YOUVE LOST YOUR FOCUS YOUVE LOST THE PLOT.HE HAS NOW GOT HIS FOCUS ON THE THING THAT HE HAS PASSION FOR AND THAT IS HORSE RACING,SO IF I WERE A PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGER I WOULD LET HIM STICK TO THAT,OR THEY WILL HAVE ANOTHER RUDE AWAKENING LIKE POOR OLD NEWCASTLE.
From dvdwrght7 on Wed Jul 01 07:43PMSpot on about the work ethic; shameful at NUFC - just stood there with hands on hips for the full oo, erm 15 or 20 minutes he was on the pitch!
An absolute disgrace to the word professional, and i hope he rots wherever he ends up!
Apart from that, another c(rap) article PP!
From cameronwestwood on Wed Jul 01 07:47PMHe should have never left Liverpool for Madrid... they are career killers
From rjam87 on Wed Jul 01 08:01PMI have to disagree that Owen's best option is Stoke.. Yes, they do get it in the box quite often, but it's usually launched up in the air, and considering Owen is around 2ft... I think there may be a problem with Mister parker's theory!!! ( hey, actually, who'd you reckon is smaller? Owen or parker???? )
From ddffisher on Wed Jul 01 08:08PMNumber 41.. Good Point!!! MAN UTD shown up by Real Madrid twice now! First they take Ronaldo (obviously Man Utd can't compete with the PROPER big clubs of the world) ..and now they pinch The Ben!! tut tut, Surely Man Utd are an embarrassment Parker?? just like you reckoned Chelsea were??
From ddffisher on Wed Jul 01 08:11PMComment 15 said Madrid killed Michael Owen his stats at Madrid mostly as a late sub 2004–2005 Real Madrid 35 Games 16 Goals I put it to you its his chronic Injury problems that is his downfall obviously a Manc who isnt happy with Madrid buying all the best in the world.
From rbagio35 on Wed Jul 01 08:12PM"Missing paragraph from the end.......When i got to the age Owen is at I knew my place at Man United wasn't guaranteed but i knuckled down and worked hard to keep my place, this is what Owen must do. I used to play for Man United did you know?"
Comment No.5 i completely agree
. It said Owen and i was like, "now which UTD youth player is he?"
From tdobson93 on Wed Jul 01 08:32PMI'm not convinced that Stoke would be his best option, but I'd hope Martin O Neill has more ambition than a rerun of the Owen/Heskey partnership.
What kinda salary would he settle for, as he cant justify last seasons pay?PP - I admit some shock that this was a ManU free article and hence has to be rated as one of your best. Dissing Owen is not the most popular stance
From raycongo on Wed Jul 01 09:12PMi hope this muppet isnt still making money out of the game his articles are as as his performances on the pitch
From jsullivan8 on Wed Jul 01 09:26PMFair enough story from Paul Parker. Now then, who was Paul Parker again? If I jog my memory really hard I can JUST remember him. Same with Michael Owen. Please remind me, didn't he once occasionally play for Newcastle? Perhaps Gateshead or Burton Albion will snap him up???
From brian.harrison23 on Wed Jul 01 09:38PMHe should stick to playing with his horses, he`s no good as a footballer anymore £17m waste of space.
From johnhannon on Wed Jul 01 11:59PMstoke??? ha ha ha ha ha ha no wonder i hardly read your drivel, mr parker you are an idiot.
From shadow_caller2 on Thu Jul 02 01:43AMParker... Are all man utd player such dimwits...?? must have killed not mentioning fergie here...
From lucky3_ash on Thu Jul 02 02:22AMwould do better at turf moor
From jpollard58 on Thu Jul 02 03:02AMI wish Owen good luck where ever he ends up but my concern is fully on Martins. I really want to see him in a better position than what he is at present but if he remains at NC is all for good too. I will keep watching him there till he found his normal position. Besides, im of the opinion that PP didnt write this article, someone who is not a ManU fan did.
From lennoxmallory on Thu Jul 02 04:12AMI've been saying this for weeks on here. So nothing new.
From saalemnok on Thu Jul 02 07:18AMGood place for all big and tall singles, please check: ---Tallconnect Co M ---- ,More fun waiting for you...
From joyale23 on Thu Jul 02 08:50AMi really hate to say thiis as im a utd fan but i can see owen at the club next season , i really hope it doesnt happen
From iain_eveleigh on Thu Jul 02 09:11AMI can see Owen ending up back at Liverpool and i think it is his only hope of getting back on track!
Yes he has had a bad couple of years but he has never been able to get him self fully fit after injuries at Newcastle as they always rushed him back expecting him to be there saviour and get the goals that would keep them up.
If he can get himself fit he is still class, in the box there is nobody as good at the moment and he will hit a minimum of 15 goals for you when injury free, i would suggest this is just what Liverpool need with Torres for pace and Owen to poach goals in the boxFrom danswaste on Thu Jul 02 11:17AM
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