Owen impressed by Big Sam

[khay 10]

 

Michael Owen has spoken in encouraging terms of his first impressions of Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce, even if the striker has still stopped short of confirming he will stay at St James' Park next season.

 

Owen, speaking publicly about his club future for the first time since Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd challenged him to commit himself to the Tyneside outfit, has also revealed that further talks are planned with Newcastle's new manager as speculation continues to surround his own future.

 

Allardyce made securing Owen his first priority upon taking the job on Tyneside, as the England international is believed to have a £9million release clause and has been linked with a number of clubs as a result.

 

Whilst the former Liverpool man still has not fulfilled Shepherd's wish, Owen admits he has been impressed with Allardyce's vision for the club.

 

"Now that I am back from injury, I wish the season did not stop next week," wrote Owen in his column for The Times.

 

"I feel strong and I've had a good chat with Sam Allardyce about his plans for Newcastle.

 

"He came to the England team hotel last week to have a chat with me and Kieron Dyer. He is obviously going to shake the place up.

 

"He sounded very thorough, talking about everything from dietary advice to injury prevention as well as improving results.

 

"We are planning to meet again when he returns from holiday."

 

Owen's primary concern at present is England's two fixtures against Brazil and Estonia, when the striker will win his first full caps since suffering a serious knee injury during the World Cup finals.

 

The Newcastle star has now signaled his return to fitness, starting the recent B international against Albania, and is determined to press on with chasing Sir Bobby Charlton's international goalscoring record.

 

"I've played in four matches since I came back from injury and I know my finishing touch has not deserted me because it is going great in training," Owen continued.

 

"Steve McClaren hasn't felt the need to ask me how I'm feeling. I think he can judge from his own eyes and I would like to think all the signs have been positive. "The goal will come soon enough and, I believe, plenty more after that. I haven't given up my hope of breaking Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record for England."

 

[tinofbeans 91]

could be seen as good news, if he shows willing to stay for at least a year, then i think he would do the biz for us.

 

hasn't stopped talking about becoming englands top goalscorer though has he? selfish mug.

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

could be seen as good news, if he shows willing to stay for at least a year, then i think he would do the biz for us.

 

hasn't stopped talking about becoming englands top goalscorer though has he? selfish mug.

He's away with England. Surely its reasonable for him to answer questions about England?

[Dr Gloom 22507]

noteworthy that he he's been very non-commital in his piece in the times. impressed by big sam yes, but still keeping his options open.

[maggiespaws 0]

To be fair to him, we are a bag of sh--e. A player of his calibre needs to be playing at a top club. I don't blame him for looking elsewhere. You only have a short time as a top pro footballer. Big Al should have won loads more than he did, but he spurned it all to play for his home team. We can't expect Owen to do that for us.

 

IMO, he's waiting to find out what Sam's plans are and whether or not it's worth sticking around for another year. I think he feels he needs too, given the time he's had here, but if we look like we're gonna be shambolic again next year he'll be off.

 

It's obvious the club has gotten worse over recent seasons and unless Sam can convince key players it will be different next season there will be more than just Owen on their way.

[Craig 6700]

I'm with the .com boys on my opinion of his piece....

 

If those statements had been any more neutral then the player would be eligible to play for Switzerland.....