Who would you rather start Owen or Martins?

[Dirt McGirt]

Who would you rather start Owen or Martins?

Martins is my choice.

Owen is great for England but.... not so much for the Toon.

[mplsTOON]

which one is the pirate and which one is the ninja?

[Dirt McGirt]

which one is the pirate and which one is the ninja?Well since pirates have one good leg and one made of wood I would say Owen is a pirate.

[mplsTOON]

Well since pirates have one good leg and one made of wood I would say Owen is a pirate.

on that note since Martins can do a backflip he is the ninja yeah?

[Crazy Man Michael]

I remember Owen's first few games for the Toon and how well he played, thinking, "this guy is awesome, our fortune's have turned." Then he got hurt. And he got hurt again. And again. I've lost count. He's never come back to form since that first injury. I know you need to play into form, but its isn't happening yet, and now we have to start over - or at least take a few steps (limps?) back. Play Martins now, give Owen some minutes when he's healthy again (which will last until the next international break thereafter) and see if he starts to come back like he was. Owen on form, better than Martins, Owen now - Martins, definately.

[JaredSS07]

How many games did Owen play with Shearer, both England and Toon? How many goals did that produce?

[Crazy Man Michael]

How many games did Owen play with Shearer, both England and Toon? How many goals did that produce?

Can't find a game by game at this point, by Owen played in 11 league games that year and scored seven, Shearer played in 32 games and scored 10. Not sure how many came in the same games, but I think I remember Shearer being injured when Owen got here and Owen going out soon after Shearer came back? Hard to remember at this point. Link to the raw stats below:

http://www.soccer-stats.com/teams/player_roll_call.asp?divno=1&code=nu&asid=05

[JaredSS07]

How many games did Owen play with Shearer, both England and Toon? How many goals did that produce?

Can't find a game by game at this point, by Owen played in 11 league games that year and scored seven, Shearer played in 32 games and scored 10. Not sure how many came in the same games, but I think I remember Shearer being injured when Owen got here and Owen going out soon after Shearer came back? Hard to remember at this point. Link to the raw stats below:

http://www.soccer-stats.com/teams/player_roll_call.asp?divno=1&code=nu&asid=05

My thought was that Owen always needs a real striker to play off of that will create shots and do the hard work while Owen scoops up the crap. Kinda like Jordan and Scottie Pippen. When people would focus on Jordan, Pippen could get open and score. Pippen on his own was never that effective. He could score but not carry a team.

At the same time, Martins needs to be more consistant and create more chances for himself. Too many times he acts lazy and looks around for the official or other players to help him out. Maybe he just isnt tough enough.

I am starting to think that Sam is right and both Martins and Owen are dependent on a strong striker that will draw the attention away from them. Maybe playing them together isn't a good idea.

On a side note, when was Viduka brought in? Before or after Sam?

[tigerdave]

Our current style of play considering, a healthy Owen is a better fit than Martins. Using the Bolton model, Owen is more like Anelka (with less header ability) with Milner playing the Diouf role and Viduka as Davies.

If we were to play a more passing style with keeping the ball on the floor, I think Martins would be a better situation, or both could even play.

[mplsTOON]

Using the Bolton model, Owen is more like Anelka (with less header ability)...


annnnd he's about three feet shorter with a lot less of a physical presence...

just sayin'

[Dirt McGirt]

Big Sam challenges Oba to score more (http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7472570)

Allardyce told the Daily Star: "I hope Oba can come in and start scoring the goals that Michael hasn't been recently, to be perfectly honest.

"I've been very pleased with Oba in recent weeks and I'm looking for him to link up with Mark Viduka or Shola Ameobi.

"The injury to Michael gives other players a chance to get in.Oba clearly is a better player at the moment and it makes me wonder wtf BSA is thinking.

[tigerdave]

annnnd he's about three feet shorter with a lot less of a physical presence...

just sayin'

And still he foots the bill better than Martins.