Owen Decision Says It All About A Man Who Will Never Be A Geordie!

Last Updated : 23-Dec-2008 by
As usual ... we don't get a straight forward answer from the England international ... just as he has refused to give us a straightforward "yes" or "no" during his three-and-a-half spell on Tyneside.

With Owen there never is black or white ... it is always grey ... as he sits back and lets the speculation grow.

So many times in the past a one word answer would kill off rumour and speculation ... instead he loves to wallow in the glory.

A man who loves to be loved; wanted to be wanted.

And that is why, despite being a world class player (when he's fit and on his game), he has NEVER been "one of us".

No-one will look back on his time at the club as they do with Supermac, Alan Shearer, Jackie Milburn, Tony Green, Peter Beardsley, etc.

Michael Owen: "Following speculation about my future at Newcastle United, I have decided today to make it clear that I am committed to the club until at least the end of this season, and I have informed them I do not want to make a decision about my future until that time.

"I hope this will be seen as a positive step and not seen as being disloyal in any way.

"I am happy here and enjoy the challenge. It is simply a matter of seriously thinking about my future as I was 29 last week and my next career decision is a crucial one.

"My decision is not about money. I told the club some months ago that I would accept a reduction in my wages.

"I have no intention of leaving Newcastle United during the January transfer window and want to assure the fans that under Joe Kinnear's passionate management, I am committed with the rest of the players to ensure that the club ends the season on a high."

NEWCASTLE'S SEASON SO FAR:

NEWCASTLE UTD 2 TOTTENHAM 1 (N'Zogbia, Duff)
Given, Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Duff 88), Gutierrez, Guthrie, Butt, N'Zogbia,Ameobi (Viduka 30), Owen.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Geremi, Taylor, Edgar, Carroll.

PORTSMOUTH 0 NEWCASTLE UTD 3 (Owen, Martins, Guthrie)
Given, Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Butt, Guthrie, N'Zogbia, Martins (Ameobi 79), Owen.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Duff, Geremi, Taylor, Viduka.

NEWCASTLE UTD 2 STOKE CITY 2 (Owen 2)
Given, Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique, N'Zogbia, Geremi (Cacapa 82), Guthrie (Taylor 46), Gutierrez, Owen, Martins (Viduka 74).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Xisco, Edgar, Carroll.

MIDDLESBROUGH 0 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
Given, Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Butt, N'Zogbia, Martins (Viduka 65), Owen.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Geremi, Taylor, Edgar, Carroll.

CHELSEA 0 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
Given, Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez (N'Zogbia 76), Guthrie, Butt, Duff,Martins (Ameobi 61), Owen.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Edgar, LuaLua, Carroll.
NEWCASTLE UTD 2 WIGAN ATH 2 (Owen, Martins)
Given, Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (N'Zogbia 68), Gutierrez (Owen 68), Barton (Guthrie 16), Butt, Duff, Ameobi, Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Geremi, Carroll.
FULHAM 2 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Ameobi)
Given, Beye, Coloccini, Cacapa, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez (Owen 70), Butt, Barton, Duff, Martins, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Guthrie, Bassong, N'Zogbia, Geremi,
NEWCASTLE UTD 2 ASTON VILLA 0 (Martins 2)
Given, Beye, Coloccini, Taylor, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Barton, Butt, Duff, Martins (Cacapa 88), Ameobi (Owen 90).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Guthrie, Bassong, N'Zogbia, Geremi.

NEWCASTLE UTD 2 WEST BROM 1 (Barton pen, Martins)
Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Duff,Guthrie, Barton, Gutierrez (Geremi 70), Martins (Xisco 77),Ameobi (Carroll 90).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Bassong, N'Zogbia, Edgar.

SUNDERLAND 2 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Ameobi)
Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong (Jose Enrique 84), Geremi (Gutierrez 73), Guthrie, Butt (Barton 85), Duff, Ameobi, Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, N'Zogbia, Xisco.

NEWCASTLE UTD 2 MAN CITY 2 (Ameobi, Dunn og)
Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Geremi, Guthrie, Butt, Duff, Martins (N'Zogbia 72), Ameobi (Carroll 79).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Jose Enrique, Xisco, Edgar.

EVERTON 2 NEWCASTLE UTD 2 (Taylor, Duff)
Given, Taylor, Coloccini, Cacapa,Jose Enrique (Bassong 39), Geremi (Ameobi 75), Butt, Guthrie,N'Zogbia, Owen, Duff.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Xisco, Edgar, Doninger, Donaldson.

NEWCASTLE UTD 1 BLACKBURN R 2 (Owen pen)
Given, Bassong, Taylor, Coloccini, Cacapa, Geremi (Ameobi 71), Butt, Duff, N'Zogbia (Edgar 82), Xisco, Owen.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Tozer, Doninger, Donaldson, Ranger.

(Carling Cup)NEWCASTLE UTD 1 TOTTENHAM HOT 2 (Owen)
Given, Geremi, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong,Cacapa (Edgar 72), Butt, N'Zogbia, Owen, Duff (Xisco 72),Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Ameobi, Tozer, Doninger, Donaldson.

WEST HAM UTD 3 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Owen)
Given, Edgar (Bassong 59), Taylor, Coloccini,N'Zogbia, Geremi, Cacapa (Gonzalez 81), Butt, Duff, Owen, Xisco.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Ameobi, Tozer, Doninger, Donaldson.

NEWCASTLE UTD 1 HULL CITY 2 (Xisco)
Given, Edgar (Bassong 68), Taylor, Coloccini,N'Zogbia, Geremi, Butt, Guthrie, Xisco, Owen,Ameobi (Gonzalez 61).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Danquah, Doninger, Donaldson.

ARSENAL 3 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
Given, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Bassong 44), Taylor,Gutierrez (Barton 89), Guthrie, Butt, Beye (Edgar 89),N'Zogbia, Owen, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Tozer, Donaldson, Ranger.

(Carling Cup) COVENTRY CITY 2 NEWCASTLE UTD 3 AET (Dann og, Milner, Owen)
Given, Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique,Milner, Geremi (Owen 75), Butt, Guthrie, N'Zogbia, Gutierrez.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Taylor, Edgar, Tozer, Donaldson, Ranger.

NEWCASTLE UTD 1 BOLTON WANDERERS 0 (Owen)
Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, N'Zogbia, Milner,Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Martins (Owen 53), Duff (Geremi 46).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Jose Enrique, Bassong, Smith, Edgar.

MANCHESTER UNITED 1 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Martins)
Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, N'Zogbia, Milner, Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Duff, Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Jose Enrique, Bassong, Smith, Geremi, Edgar, Donaldson.