Paul Parker Article

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 30^th 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.

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If Owen truly is agreeable to a 'pay as you go' plan that protects his team at from possible injury, I want him on Fulham. Admittedly, they already have a glass legged Andy Johnson, but when they had Bullard at the same time, weren't they facing the same injury potential? They need bodies with talent for the Europa league and haven't exactly torn up the transfer market. 2nd choice- Go to my hometown revs in MLS. Twellman is out with a concussion and they need a strker. Plenty of midfield support which would get him the ball. Sign a deal until the end of the season and if you are what you say you are, the Premier League teams will come begging with bags of money.
From riverside_ac on Thu Jul 02 05:35PM
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My friend just told me about a very interesting place- 'newcastleplayers without hearts or jobs dot com'. Free place for people without goals or direction to interact with the hottest has been players. You may wanna check it out. (Maybe that's where MO is headed if he doesn't have what it takes to either prove himself in the UK or suck it up and take half a season in MLS to show he's still got it.)
From riverside_ac on Thu Jul 02 05:41PM
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Owen to Man U... sealed pending medical! SAF shrewd as ever!
From aojk7164 on Fri Jul 03 04:15AM
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Paul Parker another idiotic article thank you very much
From serk0s on Fri Jul 03 09:30PM
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You were right for a change Mr Parker if not by complete accident...Owen looks likely to get his career back on track at the most unlikely of places, but not Stoke as you suggested but instead your beloved Man Utd!!!
From jackmcloughlin11 on Sat Jul 04 10:16AM
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how are your words tasting Paul? If you ain't eatin em, you should be, now he's at... where is it again? United!
From ramsey247 on Sat Jul 04 02:26PM
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I think Owen's best chance of turning things around for himself lies at Stoke. – Was this a joke?
From agpkennedy on Sun Jul 05 03:58AM
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owen shouldnt retire yet i want him to win cups with england and man utd
From simsnuka on Sat Jul 25 02:56PM
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Michael Owen is undoubtedly a good player - when he was younger and playing for England as an 18 year old , he had the world at his FOOT. Dear Michael , if only you had spent some time working on shooting and crossing ( occasionally ) with your LEFT FOOT , it would be you worth 80 million!
A year after Owen stormed onto the world stage , every coach in the world knew how to nullify his threat - push him on his left foot!!! The defenders from Portslade Wednesday could have kept him quiet ( well , probably not , but you know what I mean ) .
All the useless commentators don`t help , with their comments about " only using it to stand on " Most of them were one footed wonders!
From mikemobel on Wed Jul 29 05:51PM
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