Michael Owen returned to the Newcastle side last night at Reading - for only his eleventh start in his two years at Newcastle - but even Michael couldn’t stir Newcastle from their lethargic end of season form and Reading won the game 1-0 - probably on merit - with a goal from Dave Kitson after 51 minutes.

It was another disappointing display from Newcastle and stretched their end of season run to 9 games - in which they have been beaten 5 times, failed to score in 7 of those games and gained only 6 points - hardly an encouraging end to the season when nearly all of our well publicized injury problems have cleared up. This is not good from Newcastle - and basically relegation form.

The positives from the game of course was the return of Michael Owen, who played the full game (about 96 minutes including stoppage time) and while he was obviously looking to get match fit - nevertheless coolly had the ball in the net in the first half - but was adjudged to have been offside. Michael needed this game and maybe the next two games to get match fit - but that’s then the end of the season from a Newcastle viewpoint.

We’ll have to wait and see if Steve McClaren picks Michael for the England squad - but don’t expect Freddie Shepherd to be too happy about this - if it happens - just think if Michael was injured again playing for England.

Owen - from a physical viewpoint seems to have bulked up in the shoulders - and while it’s hard to judge his performance from one game - he certainly looked bright, full of running and fit enough.

Shola Ameobi was also introduced as a substitute in the second half - for his first game since October - and offered some good physical challenges and height up front. Shola is a lot more aggressive these days - obviously learned from his time playing with the master - Alan Shearer.

It’s always hard to tell from this first game that partnered Owen with Martins - but their play looked too similar - and we may need Ameobi (or Sibierski or young Andy Carroll) up front with Owen (or with Martins) to provide heading and physical challenges in attack.

Michael Owen said after the game:

“I was disappointed with the result, but on a personal level I felt good. It’s been a long time. The plan was for only 60 minutes, but, with all our injuries and the need for a goal, I had to stay on.”

The injuries he mentioned were to Sibierski - who appeared to have broken his arm, and to Emre who came off in the second half with a leg injury.

The Newcastle defense was adequate - but Bramble made one of his famous gaffes in the second half - when out on the far side of the field he rolled the ball six yards to a Reading player - who picked it up and raced for goal.

The boy just cannot concentrate for 90 minutes and I’m at a loss as to why Roeder is playing him - since he must be leaving Newcastle in the summer. Why we haven’t been giving Gooch a chance on his loan from Standard Leige - I just don’t know.

Reading’s goal was typical Newcastle sloppiness - Kieron Dyer had the ball in the Newcastle half and basically passed it to one of the Reading players; the ball was played quickly into the penalty area and Dave Kitson put it away nicely - giving Harper no chance.

From a Reading viewpoint it was an excellent 3 points for them and further enhances their chances of a UEFA cup place. They have done really well under the guidance of Steve Coppell and no doubt will look to strengthen their squad during the summer since it looks like Steve Sidwell (who did not play) will be moving on - probably to the Magpies.

From a Newcastle viewpoint the hope was that we could end the season on a high note but with only two games remaining, that is not going to happen.

The long-suffering Newcastle fans will remain impatient during the summer, wondering if Roeder has the ability to get this club moving in the right direction.

Nothing we saw last night suggests he has.

Ed Harrison writes on the Newcastle United blog.