Left on his Owen?
Sunday, 21 June 09, 01:01 PM · Comments(5)
By Michael Sinnerton
As a big Michael Owen fan, few stories have depressed me as much this summer as the ‘Owen Brochure'. If you've missed it, the former European player of the year has had to send out a brochure hunting for suitors because seemingly no-one particularly wants him.
The top four aside there I don't see how there can be many doubts about his ability. Despite all his problems he still scored 10 goals for Newcastle last year and has 30 in 65 starts (and 13 substitute appearances) for the Magpies. I think you'll agree that those are pretty good stats for someone available on a free and proven in the Premiership, albeit at high wages. And at 29, and having played less games than most 27 year olds there should be legs left in little Michael.
The problem, combined with the wages, is an injury record that makes Darren Anderton look like Daley Thompson (I think that just about works). Here's the solution I suggest, not ground-breaking, but a reasonable twist on an old favourite. Owen should sign a contract whereby each week he is unavailable for selection he is paid £20,000/£30,000 and each week he is available for selection he is paid £60,000.
There are a few obvious advantages here; firstly if Owen is injured you only end up paying him a fraction of his value/as much as a fringe squad player. Owen should be willing to sign the contract because if he envisages himself being fit most of the year then there are really no drawbacks. If the manager doesn't fancy playing him or opts for a different tactical system he gets a normal wage, and he isn't hugely reliant on his own form - which to me seems a big drawback of the pay-as-you-play system generally mooted. Knowing you have to score to maintain your livelihood seems to be a lot of pressure (albeit finances shouldn't be his chief concern).
The amounts suggested above are obviously fairly plucked out of the air and a real value would depend on the club and the actual demand for Owen. Any other suggestions for minimising the risk on signing injury-prone pros?
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5 Comments · Add yours
The way to minimise the risk is not to overplay them and not to play them at all until they are completely ready. This sounds obvious but how many players get the tag 'injury prone' because they are constantly breaking down? I'm certain that much of this is caused by players being brought back too soon. This is understandable - everyone wants to play and teams want their best players on the pitch. David James wrote an article in the guardian/observer a couple of weeks ago saying that he needed surgery but played on in immense pain because he wanted to help his team stay up.
Basically this means that Owen needs to accept that he can't start every game. He needs to go to a club where he is third choice striker. He doesn't want that so he'll be forever destined to be a shadow of his former self and fans will constantly criticise him for taking high wages and never playing.
yep - don't!
I think The orange one at Hull is reportedly lining up a pay a s you play style offer exactly as you described..
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