Thats what i mean when i say are you ambitious.....Lets be honest here owen was one of the best in his day and i bet you have players on your books that were not even born in his hey day at liverpool. Stoke are a good team and i would have thought they would have got someone younger as the defenders in the premiership will run rings and leave him for dead. A div one club would struggle to play him let alone a premiership club at his age and fitness. It just seems a strange choice especially for a striker.....
From Dorsett on Twatter. Rob Dorsett‏@Dorselator Expect Michael Owen's signing with #scfc to be rubber stamped by the Premier Lg Board around 9am tomorrow. #SSN live from Stoke in am.
Hope he plays every game and scores 15 prem golas this year and stays fit! Cant see it myself, I still think he will play second fiddle to Walters, or TP will accomodate Walters somewhere in midfield at the expense of a better player. Dont want to sound negative guys but I think this is a desperation signing rather than a prefered signing and could potentially be a waste of wages - hope I'm wrong!
SSN reporting that his preference was Liverpool and we were his only "Firm" offer in the premier league - doesn't sound like clubs were clambering for him. Just saw a replay of his goal in the Manchester Derby - great finish - just hope we have someone who can feed the pass like Giggsy gave him!
Smither's Of course it could go belly up, we all know that.. thing is, I know we bid for Defoe that was'nt to be and I never thought it would happen anyway. T.P. will probably use M O as a sub or for 45 mins IMO. Personally I think it's good for both parties. IF he scores 15 goals it's well worth it IMO. Will he play every week,of course he won't. Just hope Tony P does not bring him on vs Citeh as I'm on holiday. His fitness or lack of we all know about anyway. The BIG plus about this signing is simple.. He's scored goals all his career.. not as quick but with a (knack) of hitting the net.. you never lose that. IF Pulis does not give the guy a (chance) then I for one will be after his head.. take the Arsenal game? Walters did'nt score Smither's. I honestly think, Owen would have buried it... we'll see what happens. If I was Pulis, I would stick Owen up front with Crouch no question.. in and around the 18yd box.
100% agree Potts, but he cant score from the bench and its ound like his contract is based on games played, so TP has 2 excuses not to play him, Walters and Wages! We need a partnership that can score 30 goals a season, and Owen isn't going to score 15 goals from coming of the bench and playing bit part games! Lets KTF and hope TP bangs his head in the night and comes out playing our best XI in a 4-3-3 combination after the break!
Smither's THIRTY goals bloody hell.. How many clubs have forwards who score that many goals between them? Not that many is there. I agree with what you say though, I would play him every time before Walters if fit enough. Will be interesting to hear T.P. speaking about (why) he's signed M.O. and where he thinks is his best position.. just hope it's not at full back!
Oh dear Tony Scholes! http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-completed-michael-owen-transfer-1304469 Michael Owen signed for Stoke City yesterday in a dramatic deal with ONE MINUTE to spare before a deadline. The former England striker was originally due to meet Potters chief executive Tony Scholes on Wednesday morning to finalise terms on a one-year contract. But veteran general manager John Rudge spotted that Owen HAD to be signed by 4pm or he would have not been registered to play in the Premier League until the New Year. Franctic calls were made to 'money man' Scholes whose mobile phone was out of battery, but former Manchester United and Liverpool star Owen was told to get to Stoke in a rush. Owen and his adviser arrived at the training ground and swiftly put pen to paper on his deal at 3.59pm and he is now able to get his career going again. Under the new Premier League registration rules Owen could not have played for Stoke this side of January if he had not signed in time. Stoke had to declare their 25-man list, even including some players who are out of contention and unlikely to make Tony Pulis's side. So there was no space for Owen if he had tried to join any later - with the little-known loophole spotted by former boss and respected figure Rudge. If Owen's summit had been delayed he would have been left on the shelf at Stoke - or any other Premier League club - until January. Owen was delighted to sign a deal worth a basic £20,000-a-week with extras for appearances, figures that are within Stoke's budget. He can also stay in his own home and be close to his booming horse-racing interests in Cheshire, while aiming to get back into big-time football.
"Stoke complete signing of free agent Michael Owen"Match made in heaven then, as neither like to play football. Lol just joking I think he will be a good signing for you guys
Must be some good racecourses nearby. He will be very happy to plonk himself on the bench and keep the cash rolling in. Madness if not on pay as you play.
Really you should read the details before saying anything! I heard it's a small salary and a "pay if you play deal" Also something in there that say's " If we remain in the P.L. we have an option to give him another year" Good signing IF what S S News said that's what the deal was.. IF he scored 10 goals from x starts be it as a sub or whatever.. it's a decent deal by Stoke City F.C. I think? It's 20 grand a week but not sure on that.
Potts is the deal done for sure? Have the FA given the OK to take Tonge off the25 and replace him with Owen??
20k a week and incentives on appearances doesn't even sound like a gamble to me. It's win/win, a 1 year deal equates to 38 weeks in real terms, meaning your committed to just £760,000, chicken feed in Premier League terms. Now, if he stays fit, he WILL get goals, if he doesn't, you have an insignificant liablility. Good for the clubs profile as well, despite him being way past his best, in truth he was 6 years ago, but United still thought him worth a punt, and he still got goals when played.
OK,so it`s been ratified. I agree MoNsMush,I think it`s a good gamble,we certainly need someone who can put the ball in the back of the net!! If he`s still got that poachers instinct for goal,it could well be the deal of the season!!
Mons Mush As I said previously IF Owen scores important goals for us... it's a win/win.. approx 40/50 million for staying up! Well pleased as I honestly think Martin O would have taken the same chance on him? Well done Pulis, for once I'm happy with Adam/Owen coming in..
Seems to me that FA ratifying the deal has saved stoke some major blushes . Who the F***'s running things down there ?
