Do you like Mike? (In this World Cup?)

[redtyre]

1. Start him and keep him on.
2. Start another player (who?)
3. Play it by ear; if he is not being effective pull him at the first sign of this. I agree with Sven on this one.

4. None of the above, your own thoughts please.




Do you like Mike in this World Cup!?

Of course we like seeing his boyish grin out on the pitch, but what about his being withdrawn 50 minutes plus against Paraguay? Can he make a difference to the Three Lions, bump up his number of goals score for the National Team?? The Magpies Chairman Freddy Shepherd was dissapointed at Owen being pulled. Did he not have enough time to prove himself? Or was Sven right to bench him?

[redtyre]

Do you like Mike (Michael Owen) in this World Cup!?

What do you expect?

Of course we like seeing his boyish grin out on the pitch, but what about his being withdrawn 50 minutes plus against Paraguay? Can he make a difference to the Three Lions, bump up his number of goals score for the National Team?? The Magpies Chairman Freddy Shepherd was dissapointed at Owen being pulled ( http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2006270225,00.html ). Did he not have enough time to prove himself? Or was Sven right to bench him?

Trying this poll out, opinions welcome; vote however you want, no one will know.

Option B. Maybe I meant to say, "start another in his place" rather than substitute, I was trying to edit the poll, I guess, I can not or delete it and start over, what ever, it is a crucial question and it should be understood.

[usscouse]

Do you like Mike (Michael Owen) in this World Cup!?

What do you expect?

Of course we like seeing his boyish grin out on the pitch, but what about his being withdrawn 50 minutes plus against Paraguay? Can he make a difference to the Three Lions, bump up his number of goals score for the National Team?? The Magpies Chairman Freddy Shepherd was dissapointed at Owen being pulled ( http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2006270225,00.html ). Did he not have enough time to prove himself? Or was Sven right to bench him?

Trying this poll out, opinions welcome; vote however you want, no one will know.Don't know if you want double answers to your two questions. Double Czech it!!:)

[Toon³]

Wrap him in cottonwool and store him in the cupboard until the end of the world cup.

[Bodmanza]

So... we are one game in and we are supposed to give our opinions on whether we like Owen in the World Cup? I think I'm misunderstanding what you mean...

I say start him and keep him on. If his fitness is alright, I would much rather him as a lone striker to foul-a-thon beanpole. Actually thats unfair because I don't think all of those fouls were deserved. Still, I have much more confidence in Owen

[three lions]

There's really no debate here. Of course you start Michael Owen. One of the best strikers in the World. I really can't believe this is even threded.. Geez.......

[BenP]

There's really no debate here. Of course you start Michael Owen. One of the best strikers in the World. I really can't believe this is even threded.. Geez.......

Really? Off the top of my head, I'd take Rooney, Henry, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Van Nistelory, Tevez, Crespo, Luca Toni, probably Koller, Shrevchenko over Owen.

He's probably the 2nd best striker England has, but his game has serious deficiencies and he needs to be paired with the right person to be fully effective.

[BenP]

This said, he starts if he's healthy.

[three lions]

Really? Off the top of my head, I'd take Rooney, Henry, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Van Nistelory, Tevez, Crespo, Luca Toni, probably Koller, Shrevchenko over Owen.

He's probably the 2nd best striker England has, but his game has serious deficiencies and he needs to be paired with the right person to be fully effective.

If you read a little closer, you will notice I said "one of" the best.. It was not a comparison to other strikers. Of course Rooney and Owen together is what I want to see...

[BenP]

If you read a little closer, you will notice I said "one of" the best.. It was not a comparison to other strikers. Of course Rooney and Owen together is what I want to see...

Yeah, sorry, misread. I thought you wrote "one of the three best" strikers.

[sendorange]

At this point he will only get match fit by playing games. It was a disappointing performance from him against Paraguay, but we still have 2 group games and what should be a relatively soft 2nd round game. That's enough football to get him better, the movement is there, just not quite the first touch.

[sinner78]

At this point he will only get match fit by playing games. It was a disappointing performance from him against Paraguay, but we still have 2 group games and what should be a relatively soft 2nd round game. That's enough football to get him better, the movement is there, just not quite the first touch.


I smell a repeat of 2002 .
Where sven subbed him in every game after about 60 minutes .

[Agent Red]

Owen is spoken of as true world class, a natural striker etc. The answer will come over the next two matches. He will know he's being criticised and his ability is under question. A good striker will answer it with goals and a truly world class striker will answer it by making goals.

If you're world class then poor service is not a good enough excuse. Owen must pull a goal out of the hat a la France 98. I haven't seen deadly finishing from Owen in an England shirt for some time but I do think he has it in him. If that is the case then the current criticism should be the motivation he needs to do it. If he doesn't, I see Owens long term future with England in doubt.

['Strobaby]

Steve McClaren adores Owen, just like Sven, so I don't see Owen leaving the international picture any time soon. Same reason I don't see DB leaving the international picture until after Euro 2008, McClaren isn't the guy to come in and make massive changes. Besides, no strikers have proven they can come in and take Owen's spot from him. Until (and unless) Defoe, AJ, Bent, etc, show that they are better, MO's going to be an international.

[BridgeMonkee]

Do I like Michael Owen??
You bet. A great striker.
In this World Cup!?
So far I'd say I havent seen enough of him to judge. He's not fully fit and he is yet to find his form.