Thetownend.com

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=376581&CPID=4&clid=&channel=skysports_home_page

.....says that he should play the last couple of games for Newcastle this season. My questions are....

1) Would you play a half-fit Owen, with only a few games under his belt, at the WC? Or would you rather a fully fit replacement?
2) Who would you like to see replace Owen in the starting 11, should it turn out he is completely unavailable?

Personally, i'd take Owen to Germany if half-fit, but would try and use him sparingly during the group games. Perhaps build him up slowly.....60 minutes, 75, 90 for example. If it turned out he wasn't fully fit, i'd start PC up front with Rooney. Thoughts?

Like for like swap - Get Defoe in there. He's quality.

yeah same really, like for like - defoe. id probably try and limit his minutes in the group stages though.

That's not good about Owen, I really hope he's fit in time. I like Defoe but he's not had an amazing season with just 8 goals whilst Crouch who is supposed to not be very prolific has 13 so I'd go with Crouchy if Owen doesn't recover. Hopefully he will though, if he's almost fit then Owen should start but with Crouch playing a big role.

ben your opinion is null and void on this subject

Nonsense, having rated Crouch  for a long time I've actually seen him play a lot rather than just basing my opinions on a few lazy journalists like too many people do, as I like Spurs I've also seen Defoe play a lot and I've seen Owen play live for England several times, all the England games I haven't been too I've seen on tv as well.

Darren Bent didn't appear ready when given his chance, Defoe's not on top form this year, Vassell is not good enough, neither's Beattie, same applies to Heskey, Sheringham not at 40 and anyone else is too inexperienced to be thrown in at the deep end.

So Crouchy is the clear choice anyway, Sven's team selection I've always thought was one of his stronger points so it's highly likely that he'll do the sensible thing and play Owen if he's fit enough and Crouch if he's not but Crouch  is. The only other player there's a decent argument for is Defoe and even then it's not really that good unless he goes on a great run of form between now and the end of the season which I really hope he does.

 BWB speaks the truth on most matters....no Owen then its Crouchmeister time.

i was taking the piss, in fact i'm actually inclined to agree with you.

Fair enough. :thumbs:

as long as he doesn't include jenas or dyer or hargreaves i'll be happy

i'd have big pete pretty close to owen for a place in the xi, so i'd be quite happy if we went to the world cup without owen really. lanky will shit em up

:fu:  :fu:  :fu:  :fu:  :fu:  :fu:  :fu:  :fu:

 :shrug:  whys oxford fan been banned?

Back on subject, I'd try Defoe to start. If its not working get Crouchy on ASAP.

I'd be tempted to take Dean Ashton too

i don't think that's our oxford fan

I agree! Jenas isn't so bad, but Dyer is crap and Hargreaves.....don't get me started....

As for the replacement of Owen, i'd go for Heskey  :D  On a serious note, i'd go for either Crouch or Vassell, personally.

I forgot about Cr0uching Tiger, Hidden Talent, to be honest, so i guess it'll be him. I still think that regardless of how many games Defoe has missed this season, he still has exceptional talent, and could be lethal in front of goal for a world class team.

Is defoe playing in the spurs first team at the moment

I think it's Keane and Mido still isn't it?

Honestly....Id still start a not 100% fit Owen because he is good....

Looking for a replacement, id go with Vassell very like for like, not as good as finisher as Owen...

Crouchy is an 'off the bench' player in my opionion

I'd prefer Defoe to Vassell.

I agree with all of that.

Erm, Shearer and Sheringham please.   :P

I'd stick with a half fit Owen personally.  Rooney goes without question and Sven has already indicated Crotch has got a plane ticket so it comes down to that last place.

Bit depressing looking at the top English scorers in the top flight...

Darren Bent Charlton 16
Marlon Harewood West Ham 14
Frank Lampard Chelsea 14
Wayne Rooney Man Utd 13
Craig Bellamy Blackburn 11
James Beattie Everton 10  
Collins John Fulham 10
Andy Cole Man City 9

Shame Milner is playing in that god awful Villa side at the moment I’d have liked to have seen him get a seat on the plane.

I take Sheringham anyway. Poor man's Dennis Bergkamp.

 Bellamy is Welsh and Collins John is Dutch.

Get out of it you old pedantic sod Reg   :o

He's actually Liberian anyway but plays for Holland through his old man.

A nearly 100% fit Michael Owen is better than them all put together.
Look at his record for England. He averages a goal every other game.
I admit he isn't the greatest player, but he comes up with the goods time and time again. I would be much more confident with Owen up front with Rooney than anyone else.

 The list looks even thinner though....if fit Sven will take Owen Crouch Rooney and either of Defoe or Bent.possibly both.

 If Owen doesn't make it , then  outsiders would include Vassell and perhaps Robbie Fowler....don't think he officially retired, but may be wrong.

Dean Ashton anyone? Poor man's sheringham.

Slow, but very good on the ball and he know's where the goal is.

 Possible, but would be a difficult step up with nothing in the way of friendlies etc.

Shouldn't think he'd go. Didn't he slag Sven off in some book?

I don't think Vassell can be seriously considered. He's not played for England in ages, didn't do much when he did play, needs a hernia operation, hasn't had a great season and generally doesn't have much going for him. Every time I watch him he seems to use his pace to get in positions where he should be able to score and then fuck up the easy chance with pathetic finishing. Out of Defoe and Vassell, Defoe wins every time.

You are right Vassell has not played for England in a long time, however I dont remember him ever letting England down. He always seems to have a good game in the white shirt and pop up with the odd goal...even when he was playing shit for Villa he would still play well for England.

He has had a fairly decent season, he has tailed off a bit now (suppose having Cole and Samarass injured doesnt help)

Defoe isnt even playing regular first team football, which is not good for his world cup prospects at all....

Owne was still allowed to play when he wasn't getting in the Liv erpool or Madrid teams... double standards. :wink:

I've not forgiven Vassell for missing the penalty which knocked us out of Euro 2004. He did ok for England, nothing more. Defoe hasn't played as much and yet he's still scored more goals than Vassell this year, so have Beattie, Crouch etc. Can't see him making the squad and I hope he doesn't.

Different standards, Owen is fucking ace...

Defoe is good...but not in Owens league.... :D

vassell didn't get us knocked out of euro 2004, we went out cos rooney was injured.

What's this we???? Bloody paddy cunt :D

ireland didn't qualify :--

Yeah but Vassell came on for Rooney, was pretty crap, and didn't score the penalty which sent us out.

but at least he penalty was on target unlike Beckhams...

He did indeed. Gave sven a right munting from the bits of it i read.

Fowler will not be going to the world cup. FACT!

I would take Owen even if he's not 100% and then make a decision out there as to his condition.

Darren Bent would be my choice of partner for Rooney if Owen isn't fit, with Crotchman and perhaps Ashton as the 'big' men.

Although he's been throwing a few strops recently id have Defoe up front with Roonaldo if Owen doesnt make it.

Gurney!!!!

I was having this discussion this morning with my boss and i suggested a certain Edward Sheringham, The guy is as fit as fuck(not in a gay way ) , his football brain is second to none and would be superb as an option if you are chasing the game in the last 20 minutes, certainly a better option than Darrius Vassel or the Human Girrafe.

Plus he hasnt played alot recently and will be fairly fresh....certainly worth considering

Robbie Fowler take him!

Fowler's already been ruled out, hates Sven.

Cheers, do you have a link for that? Or is that from The Suns gossip column?

All jokes aside i highly rate fowler and if wew did take 5 strikers then he surely should be one of them.

Try reading the thread....:roll:

It was all in his book. It's not gossip it's a widely known fact they don't get on so don't expect to see Fowler at the world cup.

plus fowler isn't very good compared to other strikers like crunchy or curo

Owen could be our Paolo Rossi!