Owen and West Ham - the perfect fit!

As Newcastle sink deeper and deeper beneath the Plimsoll Line, the future of Owen becomes more and more of an issue. The decision to leave him out of the side at Liverpool almost certainly signaled the end of his days at the Barcodes and with him free to move on a Bosman, he could be just what we are looking for!

Now I know we have enough ex Geordie sick-notes already so any deal we offered Owen would have to be on a pay when you play basis. I am sure a deal could be constructed that frees Michael to up and leave when he wants, allows us to terminate the contract if he doesn't shape up but pays him top dollar when he performs to the best of his ability.

Now, let's look at it from Owen's point of view first. He is desperate to get into the England squad for the World Cup - and to do that he needs to be playing regularly in the Premiership. The top 4 don't want him, except perhaps as an impact sub, and that doesn't suit Owen's needs at all. If not the top 4, then what options are available to him? The field suddenly narrows to a handful of clubs. Tottenham? Owen would probably be behind Keane and Defoe in the pecking order, and those two will be competing with each other for one place once 'Arry has signed the big man up front he is looking for. Villa are a possibility, as are Everton, and that would enable Michael to stay closer to home, but I'm not sure the Moyes or O'Neill management styles would suit Owen. He is not into running 1000 miles every game and wants a manager who will be sympathetic to his skills and what he can offer, a manager who understands how a forward thinks, a manager like...Zola.

From our point of view, we do not want another crock draining our financial resources, but a pay as you play contract would be ideal. Imagine Owen playing on the shoulder of Ashton or Cole. The recent barren spell apart, Owen still scores at a ratio of close to one goal every two games. That is the vital ingredient we have been missing. Stick in 16 goals from Owen over the course of a season and we will be banging on the door of the big boys.

We don't know what we have available to spend this summer but, unless a billionaire steps in, we are unlikely to be talking major dosh. Owen is available on a free. I would back Zola to reignite his career if we can get him fit. If unfit, he wouldn't cost us anything anyway if the contract was worded properly. Owen scores every time he plays at Upton Park, isn't it about time he was putting the ball in the net for the home team and not the opposition?

And one final thought - the last time England won the World Cup, a West Ham number 10 scored a hat-trick in the final. Now there's a thought Michael!