Owen form vital for Toon against Tottenham
He might be feeling pretty dejected at the moment but it will be all black and white eyes on Michael Owen again come Monday night against Tottenham Hotspur.
The St James' Park clash with Spurs will see United continue their best start to a season at Gallowgate since the 1995/96 campaign when Newcastle almost won the Premier League.
Those days seem long gone now but despite a couple of shocking road trips to Derby and Man City, the home form has been encouraging and Michael Owen's form is now vital to maintaining that.
Owen got through the bump and grind of the synthetic surface in Moscow with nothing but a couple of grazes from the plastic and despite fears that the pitch would have an effect on his groin problems, he appears ready to put Tottenham to the sword.
The last time Owen faced Spurs and Paul Robinson he left the field uttering: "I think I've broke my foot" and he was spot on.
So, just like when he gears up to take on Liverpool next month, Owen will have a an axe to grind against Spurs.
And he could start the game up front alongside Oba Martins.
Martins is in the best condition of all of the strikers at United after the international break.
Mark Viduka is still touch and go with his calf injury, Shola is out with a groin problem, Alan Smith is banned and Owen should have had enough rest to partner the Nigerian star.
This is a partnership many feel can't or won't work, both are of similar build and the unpredictable Martins may not suit Owen who generally likes to feed off a big man up front.
But Toon fans would love to see it work.
Martins' great runs and wild shots do get people on their feet and his goal record speaks for itself.
And just a reminder, if it was needed, that Oba loves playing against Spurs.
Of course it was he who scored THAT screamer at White Hart Lane last term and he netted in the home clash in December as Newcastle bagged six points of Martin Jol's men.
Whether he can work things out with Owen is certainly an interesting situation for the Geordies.
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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Tottenham Hotspur are no great shakes as far as a premier league side go and are noe being found out under Martrin Jol.
Remember it was Newcastle that have beat them in their last three clashâÂÂs.
IâÂÂve never liked Jol, but that doesnâÂÂt mean he hasnâÂÂt got match winnerâÂÂs in his squad, Berbatov, Defoe, Keane, Bent, Lennon etc, testify to that.
If we keep it tight at the back then we will be fine on Monday night, just so long as we attack, Mark Viduka has become crucial to our cause, only a shame that he isnâÂÂt capable of stringing a few games together.
Paul.
It will certainly be interesting to see Oba n Owen do the damage together. A fierce partnership to come?
I think we will do pretty well on Monday 'night. One goal each from owen and oba will be enought. I think we have to start winning at home in order to match the 95/96 season.All the way!