heart_fan10 Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 thought this needed a thread now: One of the big pitches Heart can make to Michael Owen is that he would be training, playing and living in Melbourne during the spring carnival. Photo: Getty Images MELBOURNE Heart has been upstaged in the off-season by Melbourne Victory's aggressive recruitment policy, but the third-season A-League club is hoping to steal its rival's thunder with an ambitious bid to sign former Manchester United and England striker Michael Owen to spearhead its attack next season. Heart is officially tight-lipped about the move, but the club has been in contact with Owen's English representatives to gauge the frontman's interest in a trip down under later this year. It is understood Heart has talked about a possible one-year contract or, if Owen is not interested in that, a 10-game guest player stint that would allow the 32-year-old to return to England to try to find another European club in the January 2013 transfer window. One of the big pitches Heart can make to the former Liverpool star is that he would be in training, playing and living in Melbourne during the spring carnival, an event of major interest to Owen, who has a substantial involvement and growing interest in horse racing. Advertisement Owen owns many racehorses in Britain and is a major investor in a racing stable run by British trainer Tom Dascombe. He had a winner at Royal Ascot last year when Brown Panther won a staying race, and Racing Victoria has suggested he might be the sort who could target the Melbourne Cup. Heart is hopeful rather than confident of signing Owen, but believes he could be tempted to Australia for at least a short-term deal to play up front alongside its latest signing, former Croatian under-21 international Josip Tadic. Tadic is a tall, strong striker who spent three seasons with leading Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb and also had spells in Germany and France. ''Josip's a No. 9, holds up the ball well, finds good positions in the box and is a goal scorer. He's a very important signing,'' Heart coach John Aloisi said. ''Having won three titles on the bounce during his time at Dinamo Zagreb alongside Luka Modric, Josip will bring a winning mentality and is the perfect type of player for our system. He will be the player we look for to score goals and we're sure he will.'' Heart might feel optimistic that it is sorting its options out in the forward third of the field, but it now faces a headache at the back following the decision of young centre-back Brendan Hamill to take up an offer from South Korean club Seongnam Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/a-league/heart-sends-out-feelers-to-tempt-striker-owen-20120715-2246o.html#ixzz20hTHUNXn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 They fail to acknowledge we've filled our Visa spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heart_fan10 Posted July 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 a 10 game guest stint doesn't take up any visa spots. Confusing about the 1 year deal though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braveheart Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 "a 10-game guest player stint" Do not like. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 They fail to acknowledge we've filled our Visa spots. Guest players don't take up a Visa spot. Interesting that Lynchy is reporting this, and is reporting this now, after discussions seemed to fade away. He's a pretty savvy journalist, so there must be a little life left in discussions with Owen. Heart have appeared at times like a club distracted. They might well have been working hard unnoticed, and maybe their efforts will payoff... It looks like Heart will have interesting times for the remainder of the offseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yelawolf Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 this won't happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 Guest players don't take up a Visa spot. Interesting that Lynchy is reporting this, and is reporting this now, after discussions seemed to fade away. He's a pretty savvy journalist, so there must be a little life left in discussions with Owen. Heart have appeared at times like a club distracted. They might well have been working hard unnoticed, and maybe their efforts will payoff... It looks like Heart will have interesting times for the remainder of the offseason. Guest players don't take up a Visa spot. Interesting that Lynchy is reporting this, and is reporting this now, after discussions seemed to fade away. He's a pretty savvy journalist, so there must be a little life left in discussions with Owen. Heart have appeared at times like a club distracted. They might well have been working hard unnoticed, and maybe their efforts will payoff... It looks like Heart will have interesting times for the remainder of the offseason. Nah he's just capitalizing on the speculation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heart_fan10 Posted July 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 (edited) it's not that discussions have "faded away" because this is the only official media release that we're in talks with him. Only people who read the forums and the rumors knew about the Owen speculation. I think a 10 match guest stint is more likely than a one year deal imo. Edited July 15, 2012 by heart_fan10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 Was unaware. What's the maximum a guest stint can be? Could you hypothetically sign a player on a 20 game guest stint? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ticker Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 There's a rule about them not being allowed to play in finals isn't there? Which makes me think what's the point if the gun player can't be involved at the business end of the season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 Owen is a good player, but I am not sure he actually cares about Melbourne Heart and would be willing to give 100% on the pitch at all times to help the club... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALZALOL Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 (edited) Everton are after him to now..... IF (and I mean IF) JD has even spoken to him he needs to speed this along NOW. Edited July 15, 2012 by CALZALOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mus-28 Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 don't see this as being benefitial other than drawing in a few theatre goers early in the season. We're better off recruiting players to fit the style and system that JA wants to implement, and if it's not working come January then bring in a guest player to add some spark. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
True Until I die Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 we can sign him as a guest pl,ayer for a maximum of 10 games, would probably include no finals. It is excluded from the salalry cap too. Looks possible. Would be great at the start of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M-H-F-C Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 i know this 100% WONT happen, but maybe gray can be our "guest" player (if he qualifies for a guest player, don't really know the rule on that) for 10 or so games if Hamill and/or Good goes till the Jan window so we can get another defender, that means as Gray will be guest player, Owen could become a our last visa spot, wishful thinking but why not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalie182 Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 I would much rather Owen as a guest player. It will get the attention we want, but then if he gets injured or doesn't work out, at least we haven't wasted a whole years salary, and we wouldn't have to kick out Gray. Was wondering why JD and SM wouldn't answer me on Twitter last night about this. Now I understand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadete Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 (edited) First off I know this won’t happen... In saying that I disagree with the 10 game stint being useless. If Owen’s ability to put chances away wins us just three more games than we would have won otherwise in this period this could possibly mean the difference between getting a Home Final or a Away Final (Or worse) which in turn could mean a second week in the finals. Even just a Home Final could be massive for the club, we saw how many newbie’s were attracted to watch the Away Final last season at The Gimp. Edited July 15, 2012 by cadete 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeartFc Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 Tadic signing surely puts all this Owen bs to bed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadete Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 Tadic signing surely puts all this Owen bs to bed. TBH I think Owen has the ability to play in more than one position at A League level: Sibon for example had never played as a Number 10 before coming to MH and he did a pretty darn good job at it for a first timer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heart_fan10 Posted July 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 a lot of negativity here. If the club knew this was "never going to happen" they wouldn't be in discussions with him in the first place. It's good to see us aiming higher with player signings. even if this doesn't work out, we should continue to target these sorts of players because eventually we'll land one and it'll be huge for us and the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M-H-F-C Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 even if this doesn't work out, we should continue to target these sorts of players because eventually we'll land one and it'll be huge for us and the league. Bresciano maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalie182 Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 @scott_munn: @NatalieTosh @jdidulica no he will not be coming to Heart 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 If he helps us thump the others 12-0 in the opening match of the season, I don't care what deal we get him on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heart of Melbourne Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 @scott_munn: @NatalieTosh @jdidulica no he will not be coming to Heart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heart of Melbourne Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 Who are you talking about? Bresc or Owen ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalie182 Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalie182 Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 @NatalieTosh: @scott_munn @Jdidulica can you confirm for us that this Michael Owen thing is 100% over? @scott_munn: @NatalieTosh @jdidulica no he will not be coming to Heart Just to clarify Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ando Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 By being 'in talks' with players like Owen, the club is able to puff out its chest a bit to other players to make itself seem bigger than it is. Not a bad thing at all if we can land a few more decent relative unknowns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzatron Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 We were in talks with Ronaldo as well for a while...just sayin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeartMillsy29 Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 We were in talks with Ronaldo as well for a while...just sayin. Do remember that, I got excited for no reason then too Ah well, it was good while it lasted... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulhollanddrive Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 When I go looking for who we sign next, I prefer to select a random name in the White Pages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadete Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 When I go looking for who we sign next, I prefer to select a random name in the White Pages. http://www.whitepages.com.au/resSearch.do?subscriberName=mensch&givenName=&location= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchPride Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 roffff he tweeted 2-3 days ago he doesn't even wanna play championship level because he still feels he can still bang them in and performed whenever he was at manchester united. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalie182 Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 What he thinks of himself and what is reality may not be the same thing. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchPride Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 ffs... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPM Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 Apparently we are still trying to get Owen even after the Tadic signing... http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/heart-sends-out-feelers-to-tempt-striker-owen-20120715-2246o.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seannist047 Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 At the very least we're in the papers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baresi Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 We were in talks with Ronaldo as well for a while...just sayin. And we would have signed him if we appointed Aad De Mos... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sash Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 We're in the Daily Mirror: Strewth! Aussies want Michael Owen to make a move Down Under Melbourne Heart are set to use the former England striker's love of horse-racing to try to lure him into agreeing a one-season deal Michael Owen is a shock target for Aussie side Melbourne Heart. The club has been in contact with Owen's representatives to gauge whether the former England star, currently without a team after his Manchester United contract expired, his interest in a move Down Under. It is understood Heart have talked about a possible one-year contract or, if Owen is not interested in that, a 10-game guest player stint that would allow the 32-year-old to return to England to try to find another European club in the January 2013 transfer window. One of the aces Heart can play as they try to lure the former Liverpool hitman is that he would be in training, playing and living in Melbourne during the spring carnival in November - an event of major interest to Owen, who has a substantial involvement and growing interest in horse racing. Owen owns racehorses and is a major investor in a racing stable run by trainer Tom Dascombe. He had a winner at Royal Ascot last year in Brown Panther won a staying race, and Racing Victoria has suggested he might be the sort who could target the Melbourne Cup. The Melbourne Cup is Australia's equivalent of the Grand National and the day when it's held is a public holiday in the state of Victoria. Scott Munn's tweet rules it out I suppose. But the more I think about it the more I'm open to the idea of a 10 game guest stint. Less expense but we still get the publicity benefit. How good would it be if he came early enough to do some of the pre-season and be familiar with the squad before his first game, then line up against Victory in round 1? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guido Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 I thought we just used up all of our free visa spots on Tadic, Gerhardt and Gray? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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