Michael owen - He's still class
Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:12 am
Gerrard has jumped to the defence of his Anfield team-mate after Owen was substituted against both France and Switzerland (above)
He said: "I haven't spoken to Michael about his state of mind so I don't know whether he is feeling down.
"But everyone knows Michael. He is capable of bouncing back and knocking in a couple of goals.
"I hope that happens against Croatia because this is when Michael can be at his most dangerous.
"You know never to write him off. It wouldn't surprise me if he went out and knocked in a hat-trick on Monday."
Owen has 25 England goals after bursting on to the international scene during the 1998 World Cup in France. But he has found himself under scrutiny at these championships because of his lack of scoring form, while back home his Liverpool future is still uncertain with talks on a new contract on hold.
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I think Owen is still class He only feels a bit confused what to do with his half-packed baggage. There is still temptation whether he should follow his team mate gerrard leaving or just stay. He only needs boost for his confidence to return.
It may be a danger for Owen's confidence if Eriksson keeps pulling him off in the second half. If Eriksson reckons Owen is the man for the England team, then he must take care of Owen, he should let him play for 90 minutes until he scores -which i believe it won't take many games to happen. What's the point in taking off Owen to "only" replaced by Darius Vassell? Unless Eriksson sees Vassell as the man for England -which to me is unlikely.
He said: "I haven't spoken to Michael about his state of mind so I don't know whether he is feeling down.
"But everyone knows Michael. He is capable of bouncing back and knocking in a couple of goals.
"I hope that happens against Croatia because this is when Michael can be at his most dangerous.
"You know never to write him off. It wouldn't surprise me if he went out and knocked in a hat-trick on Monday."
Owen has 25 England goals after bursting on to the international scene during the 1998 World Cup in France. But he has found himself under scrutiny at these championships because of his lack of scoring form, while back home his Liverpool future is still uncertain with talks on a new contract on hold.
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I think Owen is still class He only feels a bit confused what to do with his half-packed baggage. There is still temptation whether he should follow his team mate gerrard leaving or just stay. He only needs boost for his confidence to return.
It may be a danger for Owen's confidence if Eriksson keeps pulling him off in the second half. If Eriksson reckons Owen is the man for the England team, then he must take care of Owen, he should let him play for 90 minutes until he scores -which i believe it won't take many games to happen. What's the point in taking off Owen to "only" replaced by Darius Vassell? Unless Eriksson sees Vassell as the man for England -which to me is unlikely.