Michael Owen retires

[Lord Camomile]

Um, don't know if anyone noticed, or cares, but Michael Owen has announced his retirement from football (at the end of the season).

Now, no-one be cruel and suggest in real terms he retired quite some time ago. No-one do that, y'hear?

 

[editor]

A bright star that faded and faded and faded.

 

[imposs1904]

A bright star that faded and faded and faded.

Yep. Crazy that he never broke Bobby Charlton's scoring record for England. He should have been the first English player to score 50 international goals.

 

[Lord Camomile]

I was just going to say, at one point he looked very good to break that record, very possibly completely butcher it.

Isn't he often used as an example of a player who was overused early on in their career and that had a detrimental effect to their later career? Would be interested as to how that compares with someone like Giggs, who was also well known for his blistering pace, but hasn't suffered with injuries in the same way and has managed to change his game to keep playing.

 

[imposs1904]

I was just going to say, at one point he looked very good to break that record, very possibly completely butcher it.

Isn't he often used as an example of a player who was overused early on in their career and that had a detrimental effect to their later career? Would be interested as to how that compares with someone like Giggs, who was also well known for his blistering pace, but hasn't suffered with injuries in the same way and has managed to change his game to keep playing.

I just looked at the wiki page for English International goalscorers. I used to think Rooney would smash the record, but now I'm not so sure. And Peter Crouch scored 22 goals for England? Wow.

 

[Yelkcub]

A search for Michael Owen Brochure brings up some great spoofs....

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I just looked at the wiki page for English International goalscorers. I used to think Rooney would smash the record, but now I'm not so sure. And Peter Crouch scored 22 goals for England? Wow.

Interesting list. Rooney's goals per game ratio isn't that good compared to other forwards on the list.

 

[marty21]

he has done very well out of the game - and not been stupid with money - sure he'll be fine in retirement

 

[goldenecitrone]

Christ, only seems like yesterday he was bursting onto the scene as a young goalscorer. And now he's retired. Talk about time flying.

 

[Favelado]

The Kop never quite took to him in the same way as other stars. They had him down as a mercenary. He did turn out to be a bit like that but I still cheered a lot of those early goals.

 

[cypher79]

Got to be the most spectacular fall off in english football history?

 

[TruXta]

He's gonna turn into Alan Shearer mk2 isn't he - second most boring pundit ever.

 

[marty21]

Didn't he buy a village for his family? He's also a horse trainer/owner? going down the Mike Channon post football career route.

 

[g force]

Injuries took their toll - the first serious one and he lost that burst of acceleration and had to alter his game slightly. Then tactical changes where the old 4-4-2 system where he would thrive playing off a more physical forward started to fade away, and so did his opportunities.

 

[kabbes]

He was all about the pace, and once he'd lost it there wasn't much left to fall back on.

 

[tommers]

He has 89 caps and scored 40 goals - hardly a wasted career. And he's still (somehow) (kind of) playing for a PL team. It's not exactly an awful life, is it?

 

[Favelado]

He has 89 caps and scored 40 goals - hardly a wasted career. And he's still (somehow) (kind of) playing for a PL team. It's not exactly an awful life, is it?

It isn't but after that World Cup in '98 it looked like it was going to be glory all the way.

 

[tommers]

It isn't but after that World Cup in '98 it looked like it was going to be glory all the way.

Yeah, he never quite achieved that but he's still scored 10 more goals than Shearer (which I find really surprising.)

 

[Balbi]

Thread bump from 2005? Why?

 

[Favelado]

Nicely done.

 

[kabbes]

Yeah, he never quite achieved that but he's still scored 10 more goals than Shearer (which I find really surprising.)

Shearer was injured for a LONG time, which kept him out of international football.

I remember being really frustrated as a kid that our best striker couldn't be used.

 

[Lord Camomile]

He was all about the pace, and once he'd lost it there wasn't much left to fall back on.

To be fair, while I was never his greatest fan it's hard to argue with his (earlier) goalscoring record. Pace alone won't bag you those goals, you've also got to be able to use your pace in the right places and finish well.

Thread bump from 2005? Why?

What did I say?!

 

[kabbes]

To be fair, while I was never his greatest fan it's hard to argue with his (earlier) goalscoring record. Pace alone won't bag you those goals, you've also got to be able to use your pace in the right places and finish well.

I never said it was pace alone. But he was dependent on the pace. He lacked the attributes to cope without it.

 

[Balbi]

I'm waiting for Lord Camomile to pick up on the Newcastle dig I managed to smuggle in there

 

[Lord Camomile]

Christ, only seems like yesterday he was bursting onto the scene as a young goalscorer. And now he's retired. Talk about time flying.

I've long thought that I'd feel old when I remember a player's debut at the point he retired. Don't remember his exact debut, but definitely been watching since before he was playing regularly.

S'all downhill from here

 

[Lord Camomile]

I never said it was pace alone. But he was dependent on the pace. He lacked the attributes to cope without it.

Aye, fair enough.

I'm waiting for Lord Camomile to pick up on the Newcastle dig I managed to smuggle in there

Oh I saw it. I saw it

*name on the list*

 

[Big Gunz]

Well if you can't even make the Stoke City first 11....

 

[Lord Camomile]

... there's probably still a career to be had in MLS or the A-League.

 

[Big Gunz]

... there's probably still a career to be had in MLS or the A-League.

I think the MLS is too good for him now. Maybe go to Japan and be the target man?

 

[Lord Camomile]

And Peter Crouch scored 22 goals for England? Wow.

More prolific than Keegan