All this Rooney rubbish

[Icy Gull]

I wouldn't risk Rooney either unless we are losing with 20 mins to go. One of the lower league players who play for T&T is guaranteed to have a stamp on his foot

 

[Sid James]

That doesnt take into account club games though, which is slightly unfair.

I agree that Owen is a very good player, no doubt about it, but I think those players I mentioned are better. Thats not having a pop at him. I dont support England anyway.

I always thought international goals were just that little bit more hard to come by but here we go.

From Soccerbase career goals per game at club level :

Henry.........................0.51 per game
Shevchenko.................0.57 per game
Van Nistelrooy.............0.59 per game
Rooney......................0.31 per game
Eto'o.........................0.47 per game
Ronaldo.....................0.78 per game
Crespo......................0.48 per game

Owen........................0.52 per game


Still stacks up nicely for me.

 

[enigma]

I always thought international goals were just that little bit more hard to come by but here we go.

From Soccerbase career goals per game at club level :

Henry.........................0.51 per game
Shevchenko.................0.57 per game
Van Nistelrooy.............0.59 per game
Rooney......................0.31 per game
Eto'o.........................0.47 per game
Ronaldo.....................0.78 per game
Crespo......................0.48 per game

Owen........................0.52 per game


Still stacks up nicely for me.

International goals are harder to come by, but to be fair, Owen plays in better teams than Eto'o and Shevchenko at international level, so thats not really fair on them.

I think Owen is a very good player, but without that pace that he once had, I dont think he is quite world class.

 

[enigma]

For me, a good indicator was last summer. Although Owen did very well at Real and was unlucky to be transfer listed, how come Newcastle were the only club that were seriously interested in him?

 

[tedebear]

I'd play Rooney the last 15 - 20 mins.... If he's got any sort of whiff of the hype the press have been kicking up about him, then he'll be shitting like a big black alsation...give him a little game time to shake off the nerves but not the whole game....

 

[Sid James]

For me, a good indicator was last summer. Although Owen did very well at Real and was unlucky to be transfer listed, how come Newcastle were the only club that were seriously interested in him?

You can stop now, I'll let you have the last word

 

[REDLAND]

For me, a good indicator was last summer. Although Owen did very well at Real and was unlucky to be transfer listed, how come Newcastle were the only club that were seriously interested in him?

They wern't, they were pretty much the only club that could afford his wages and transfer Fee, Arsenal were well keen if I remember correctly

 

[enigma]

They wern't, they were pretty much the only club that could afford his wages and transfer Fee, Arsenal were well keen if I remember correctly

I dont think they were, think that was more press talk than anything.

I find the hero worship of him a little strange, given he has only managed 3 goals over the last two tournaments.....

 

[enigma]

You can stop now, I'll let you have the last word

 

[REDLAND]

I dont think they were, think that was more press talk than anything.

I find the hero worship of him a little strange, given he has only managed 3 goals over the last two tournaments.....

In fact thinking about it the only reason he went to Newcastle was because Madrid REFUSED to sell him to another side in the champions league

Including Everton !!

 

[enigma]

In fact thinking about it the only reason he went to Newcastle was because Madrid REFUSED to sell him to another side in the champions league

Including Everton !!

Actually, thats fair Everton were. Still, they're not that big a club.

I thought Real just wanted their asking price, didnt remember the champ league bit...

I just think if he really was one of top handful of strikers, he would be at one of the top clubs.

 

[tedebear]

Owen lost it after his baby was born - that'll teach him...

 

[Marshy]

Rooney unsuprisingly on bench, Carragher at right back

 

[Da Man Clay]

Hmm, Owen was poor again and at least Crouch managed to score.

 

[Silent Bob]

Actually, thats fair Everton were. Still, they're not that big a club.

I thought Real just wanted their asking price, didnt remember the champ league bit...

I just think if he really was one of top handful of strikers, he would be at one of the top clubs.

Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool and *cough* Wigan were interested but none could match the £17m offered by Newcastle, so Owen only had the option of Newcastle or bench warming for Real (not on merit you understand, just because Raul, Ronaldo. and Robinho are "galacticos", I'd take none of them over Owen).

 

[London Irish]

Amazing plus for England that Rooney is back so early. Thought he looked OK when he came on.

 

[perth seagull]

Having Owen on the pitch yesterday was like playing with ten men. He was terrible. The lad is well and truly out of form. There's no way he should be starting if Rooney is fit.