by Homebooby » Thu Sep 30, 2004 2:13 pm
I hate to be the really sensible one here, but apart from the fact that I think Owen got managed really badly in this whole situation and found himself between a rock and a hard place. If you compare his situation to a normal every day job, often a move away to another company/place of work adds a lot of experience and perspective that allows you to achieve things that you never would have when you return to your original workplace had you not moved on for a bit.
I think we all agree that he has looked stale the last couple of seasons and he is still only 24 with a lot of football ahead of him. Whether he plays or not, the learning curve for him is really big and he'll do nothing other than continue to grow. Not being first choice for a change is a good leveller for him too.
There's another player that springs to mind who moved on, was accused of selling out and has seen his twilight years become some of his best.....Shearer.
If Owen could come back and knock in 20-30 goals a season until he is 35 for us, I don't think any of us would complain.