footballnotsoccer
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LukeS
Craig HillOwen still the best
February 4th 2008 10:58
Michael Owen got on the score sheet yesterday for only the third time this season in Newcastle's 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough. This served as a timely reminder to Fabio Capello that he still knows where the goal is.
An interesting fact is that all three of Owen's goals this season have been headers from crosses. This has never been an area of Michael's game that has been significant at all.
The question is whether Michael has changed his game as he has had to adapt to all the injuries he has suffered, or if he is simply now unable to get behind defences in the way his blistering pace used to allow him to do?
I think the current Michael Owen is a mixture of those two things. He used to be quick and as a defender you let him turn towards your goal in your half at your peril. With his pace and a drop of the shoulder, he would leave defenders in his wake as he headed towards the goal. It was a magnificent sight.
The Michael Owen of today no longer has that ability in his locker, but what the 28 year old striker does have is a knack for scoring goals, 141 in 281 league games and 40 in 88 internationals, and a wealth of experience. Defenders and managers still do not like to see the name 'Michael Owen' appear on the opponents team sheet.
With the possible exception of Wayne Rooney, which English striker at this time is a better bet than Owen? The answer is that there isn't anyone. Despite his lack of goals this season, Owen should be one of the first names on Capello's teamsheet. He is still more likely to score for England than anyone else.
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Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Which English striker at this time is a better bet than Owen? I don't think there is and what does this say about the situation of the English game? Dire.