Class act Owen will inspire greater professionalism at Newcastle

For once the Newcastle board deserves praise. To pull off the £17m purchase of Michael Owen demonstrates the commitment of the board to match the ambition of their fans and aim for the top of the table. After a shaky couple of seasons and a disappointing start to the present campaign, it is also a much-needed purchase to revive positivity in the well-supported North-East club.

Michael Owen is a class act. He conducted himself with expert professionalism both with Liverpool and Real Madrid, and will expect the same standards from his new team-mates. The potential ripple effect is a major reason why Newcastle has made a great purchase. In the past couple of seasons, some prominent players at Newcastle seem to have lacked the discipline required for a club to progress. Owen will demand better- and I think his team-mates will respond to the example he sets.

Committing himself on paper for four years has reduced my concerns that he is half-hearted for the Newcastle cause. Everyone knows Liverpool was his preferred choice of club- but Newcastle is by no means a far inferior option. They regularly attract over 50,000 fans to St James' Park, and their purchases this summer - particularly Scott Parker- show they are a club not willing to stand still and stagnate.

At only 25 years old, Michael Owen should have his best years in a Newcastle shirt. But the onus is now on Graeme Souness and his coaching staff to improve the supply lines for Owen and Shearer. This may take some time. Robert and Solano were big assist makers, and since their departure the goals for Newcastle have dried up. Luque will take time to adjust to the Premiership, and the rest of Newcastle's midfield has so far failed to convince that they are reliable assist-makers. The rumoured re-purchase of Solano would be an excellent move to revive the assists potential at the club.

The bottom line is that Newcastle now own that very rare commodity: a footballer in his prime whose natural attribute is to regularly find the back of the net. The stats speak for themselves:
32 goals in 70 games for England;
158 goals in 297 games for Liverpool;
16 goals in one season for Real Madrid.

For his goal scoring potential and the effect his presence will have on the rest of the team, Michael Owen must be the buy of the summer.