If Capello wants Defoe as super-sub, why not use Owen?
Michael Owen once again demonstrated class is permanent in his clinical performance away at Wolfsburg. Three well taken goals will have no doubt helped stake his claim for a regular place in the United line-up and will have done his confidence a world of good.
Seeing Owen in that form was like rolling the years back and made me wonder if I’d rather see Defoe or Owen come off the bench in an attempt to save England in the last 20 minutes of a WC quarter final. I understand Defoe has been clinical this season but Owen demonstrated experience has a role to play in top level football and this is surely a quality Capello will want to take with him to South Africa. Perhaps what will make or break Defoe’s chances will be how he fares against the so-called “big four” this season.
In these tight matches when all you get is one chance surely Owen is the man England fans would want to take that chance, rather than Defoe, who coincidentally missed his crucial chance at the weekend, when Tim Howard (a potential opponent in the summer) saved his injury time penalty.
I’m not saying the last three days has decided who will go to the World Cup but Owen has shown us he is not yet finished and Defoe has reminded us he is not yet world class. However, we all now hope Sir Alex rewards Michael for this performance and we will see him heavily involved over the festive period. This should be the case considering Darron Gibson’s recent involvement with the first team.
Michael’s performance tonight reminded us why we haven’t written him off and that he still has what it takes to play at this level. Scoring 3 goals away from home in any situation is difficult, but to do it in Europe with an under-strength side really made us appreciate his talents.
I’m not saying Michael should be given his place ticket to South Africa, but if Capello is looking for a player to come on and change a game, why would he be so naïve as to disregard the best player England have in the penalty box and a player who (admittedly only this season) is not unaccustomed to impacting games from the bench, as was seen earlier this season in that epic derby match against Man City.
However who’s to say that both can’t go to the World Cup? They don’t play the same style of game. However it does appear Capello doesn’t want to overload with “small” strikers.
Despite turning out a man of the match performance, Owen has given off a greater message, and that is to his manager (both at club and country) demanding that they recognise he has plenty more to offer top level football.
Topics: England, Manchester United, Michael Owen, UEFA Champions League, World Cup
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what a poor poor opinion…I admire Owen’s talents very much, but there is no poacher in England like Defoe
And now because he has missed a penalty and Owen scored a hattrick, then Owen is better!!!
So what was it like when Defoe hit five against Wigan and Owen wasn’t even in United’s starting eleven?
December 9th, 2009 @ 14:23No offense to you or the recent insurgence of pro-owen fans, but were we watching the same game? Man Utd only seemed depleted at the back and the fact they only let 1 in is far more impressive than the fact they scored 3.
Michael Owen showed he can still score, but please wait a few more matches before claiming a world cup call up. No side in the world cup is going to him as much space as Wolfsburg did.
December 9th, 2009 @ 15:49United did well to concded only one but I thought Wolfsburg could have scored more considering the number of free headers they won in the United box. However, it cannot be easy for 2 central midfielders to drop to centre havles, and considering it was away in Europe I thought they did well.
I’m not saying Owen is sure thing and a definite choice because of the last few days but he has done his job in making people remember he is still about and can score goals. I personally think Jermain Defoe should currently be in the England squad, but I also think Capello shouldn’t ignore the possiblity of taking Michael Owen. However, I’m not of the opinion that the England squad should be chosen exclusively on current form but that’s a discussion for another time.
December 9th, 2009 @ 19:07@ Peter
What do you mean United were only depleted at the back? Rooney, Berbatov, Giggs were not even in the squad. Valencia was only on the bench. an attack comprising Owen, Welbeck and Nani can hardly be regarded as Uniteds first choice.
December 10th, 2009 @ 11:24you make me laugh,
December 10th, 2009 @ 11:51owen scored 7 in 20 games for manutd, this season, while defoe scored 13 in 15 games for spurs + 6 in 8 games for englad. how can u say you’d rather use owen?
I agree with you, but i must point out that owen has the most experience of all the stirkers forwards put together. Owen like rooney has faced defences of every calibre. defoe has only faced english defenders. the world cup is a different kettle of fish altogether. this is the stage big time players relish when the whole world is focused on you. Bent, defoe do not have that experience yet. their age means they have time to shine later. it is better to take advantage of owen now on the prerequisite he remains fit. and you must know that football players reach full potential at 28-32 years old
December 11th, 2009 @ 00:42@ marci
December 17th, 2009 @ 14:19owen might have played 20 games for united but didnt complete all of them(he was substituted in most of them)
he had d best goals scored to number of minutes ratio in the laliga wen he was in real madrid so given the chance in safrica he will be the match winner