Surely it's not just me that thinks Michael Owen is abit pants is it? Even though England played brilliantly and well deserved their 2 wins so far Owen was dreadful throughout ( apart from 1 pass to Rooney for the 2nd goal versus Croatia ).

He lost the ball everytime, physically he's a wimp and didn't have a chance anyway against the giant croation defenders. By the end of the match he looked weary & confused, he's a good player at club level but just not what England need for this tournament.

very poor yesterday, tho in previous games he has been useful, without actually achieving very much! his runs could split defenders, who saw him as the main threat, leaving the way open for rooney et al to make runs unmarked.

wont continue like that of course, he's gota do summat or he's a gonna.

He's not been in great form in Euro 2004. I think he's been working hard but it's just not come off for him. I'd like to see Vassell starting with Rooney for a change.

I don't think he's doing as bad as people may think. Because he's a striker people judge him on the number of goals he's scored... but there's more to it than that.

He may not have scored, but he's working hard, making runs and worrying defenders.

Don't forget he's not playing quite the same the role he usually plays for England because he's playing as Rooney's decoy if you like.

Before the tournament Rooney was (outside England) fairly unknown - certainly not as well known as Owen, so people will have seen Owen to be the main goal threat - so they tightly mark him and Rooney pops up in the space they've left.

Seems to be working so far - Rooney's sparkling and England are top scorers at this stage.

I can't help but believe if we carry on as we are, Owen will get his goal.

I agree with the above. People are too quick to judge Owen because he hasn't scored yet. But if you actually watch him off the ball he is doing everything right. He's making the runs, creating space, and generally just hassling defenders. The only reason he hasn't scored yet is that from the way he's playing he's dragging the defence with him and leaving Rooney open to get the feed from mid-field.
If he was playing badly then Sven would have changed him by now, but managers watch all their players closley so they know who's doing what and how usefull they are. This is why Owen is still first choice. He'll get his goal (as he very nearly did last night) and when he does it will pick his confidence back up and that's when you'll see him shine more.
Give the fella a break co sthe formula is working so far!

Originally posted by Ollie
Give the fella a break co sthe formula is working so far!

Yep I'm with you. Why change a winnig team? And Owen might not have scored but he has contributed to the build up of several of the goals.

Well he has scored now let's see what happens in the rest of the tournament, provided we're still in.

Whatever else happened, Owen redeemed himself tonight. One of the most competitive and willing players all match. But for our man of the match, I'd say Cole, despite a couple of careles over-enthusiastic challenges

Originally posted by Lestat
Surely it's not just me that thinks Michael Owen is abit pants is it?

Oh don't you feel foolish now :P

Originally posted by Lestat
Surely it's not just me that thinks Michael Owen is abit pants is it?

Probably not, but it sounds like you know less about football than even I do!

-rolls around laughing at your comment-

Originally posted by venger
Probably not, but it sounds like you know less about football than even I do!

-rolls around laughing at your comment-


Sorry to disappoint you but I still believe Michael Owen is pants. He may have scored a goal but he still gets pushed off the ball too easy, he still has only one skill and he's just living off that goal he scored against Argentina.

England need a proper striker, preferably a grown up who can hustle and win the ball as well as score.

I.m not going to pretend to know about footy cause i know ziltch but Owen is'nt as good as they make out and I think he will be lucky to get a game at Real Madrid.

watched owen last night 4 madrid and looked very average. granted it takes time 2 settle in but i think is form for the past 12 months as been terrible and given the size of real madrid as a club ithink he may not last long.

Owen still works hard but has lost some pace since incuring an injury. Considering that this was his main asset I fear he will never reach the level he once was.

Owen will score goals in a creative team.
We havn't got a creative team.
Put in two strikers who can create goals from nothing for themselves.

Rooney and Defoe.

Besides,when those two have worn down a defence for 70 odd minutes I reckon Owen may be just the man to come on and run at tired defenders.

Wont happen though.

Owen is a good goalscorer but technically he is rubbish,without his pace what does he do but wait for the ball over the top.He is on the bench for Real Madrid & so should Beckham as he has lost it,when he was at Man Utd Fergy new how to raise his game,but Madrid are all showboaters.Rooney has got class,his movement & reading of the game is amazing for such a young kid & so has Defoe.If I was the manager Owen & Beckham would not get in my team as they do not work hard enough.

well owen showing he has made friends already get the real coach to quit

due to him starting and not raul, players have turned on the coach, and he has stepped down

Yeah Robbie thats player power for you,Mark Lawrenson was talking about that in the Daily Mirror,it seems it's going on a lot in the English game too,its a shame because at the end of the day the manager picks the team he thinks will do well,then its up to the players on the field & the manager can do nothing at all ,well until halftime & that gives the players the second time to ignore the managers tactics LOL

seems strange though, cause camacho, didn't even wanna sign owen!!! LOL

i think Raul, has not scored for something like 9 months, so yeah he should be dropped

I have just read about poor old Owen tramping off the pitch after being on for 10 minutes,he said the coach told him to take the ball to the corner flag & waste time.I think when the new coach comes in ,Owen,Beckham will be out,but who will want them on the wages they are getting,only Chelsea could afford them.

Originally posted by tosh13
I have just read about poor old Owen tramping off the pitch after being on for 10 minutes,he said the coach told him to take the ball to the corner flag & waste time.I think when the new coach comes in ,Owen,Beckham will be out,but who will want them on the wages they are getting,only Chelsea could afford them.


but if robson takes over like has been mentioned, then they would be first choice

Yeah Robbie, looks like Robson has been blown out .Real are using the assistant coach for the rest of the season,luckily Owen will not need a blanket to keep his legs warm while he sits on the bench for 80 mins.