Michael Owen

[Phoenix07]

This bit in the Carragher piece made me chuckle.

The way he left Liverpool had saddened Michael and he wanted the opportunity to redeem himself. I sent Rafa Benitez a message explaining what Liverpool could get on a free transfer but Benitez instead went out and bought David Ngog.

[vlahka]

This is the first and last thing that comes to mind when Owen is mentioned

[Vermilion]

MO has been biting his lip eh, expect a book announcement soon.

[Exiled_red]

http://metro.co.uk/2013/03/19/colin-...-home-3550193/

Colin Murray: Wembley the only place Michael Owen can call home
Tuesday 19 Mar 2013 8:00 pm

Some wish to be a King or a Queen, some wish for fortune and fame, but to be truly, truly, truly loved is more than all of these things. The words of Jackie Wilson, not myself, but a suitable sentiment in the wake of the news Michael Owen is to retire from football.

My first thought was, if he was going to do a lap of honour, where would he stage it? Anfield? Probably not, despite being top scorer at the club for seven consecutive seasons.

More than 150 goals, FA Cup winners and all, tarnished by a single step onto the Old Trafford turf in a Manchester United kit. I’m not being cruel. This is not news to Michael, believe me.

I’m sure some would clap but sporting love is not found purely in statistics, but in longevity, loyalty, passion and tribalism. That’s what makes Jamie Carragher a Liverpool legend, and Michael Owen not, in the eyes of many a Reds fan.

They’d pop the odd cork for him at St James’ Park, mainly for his brace against Sunderland, and they’d maybe raise a glass in parts of Manchester for his last-gasp derby day winner, but a decibel-busting lap of honour? I don’t think so.

He simply wasn’t there for long enough, nor was he fit for any considerable period of time. And at Real Madrid, thanks to Raul, he spent more time warming benches than hearts, although when given the chance and not hurt, he played well for them. Still, there will be no statue outside the Bernabeu.

So, if we are considering a venue for a metaphorical retirement party, it would have to be Wembley. Owen was a magician at youth level for England, then went on to many a wonderful moment at senior level, the obvious being his 1998 World Cup wonder goal against Argentina, but he managed 40 successful strikes in 89 caps over a decade, in which his pride and commitment for his country could never be called into question.

Only Charlton, Greaves and Lineker have bagged more for the Three Lions, and he is the only England player to have scored in four major tournaments.

England fans should certainly toast him this week, just as much as they should still be cursing his name in Germany. But at club level, he’ll have to make do with divided opinion.

I think this more or less sums it up

[Shackanory]

If Owen has a story to tell - ****ing tell it or shut the **** up, ratty little cunt. He's just desperate to stay in the headlines for another day or two because, after this summer, people will care even less about him than they already do.

Michael Owen used to be a footballer, then he went to Real Madrid, had a decent season and became a part-time cunthole.

[Shackanory]

I just hope Shackanory hasn't scared him off.

If I can earn myself a block on Twitter from both Piers Morgan and Frankie Boyle, getting Michael Owen to **** off should be a piece of piss.

[Alex]

I don't understand how someone from Chester can provoke such anger in people.

[frank the tank]

[QUOTE=dom9;2601286]I suspect that it is pretty normal practice. How else do you establish your true market worth?[/QUOTE]

If he genuinely wanted to stay at Liverpool, then he would have had a look at someone like Heskey at the time, saw that he was on, say £45k a week, and then gone into the manager / chairmans office and said:

"I love Liverpool, but I need to know you guys love me....So I want a salary that reflects my importance to the team - directly proportional to Heskey's salary"

He'd probably come out with about £250k a week!!!

[Catrin]

Before he left us he was making noises along the lines of wanting to see where the club was heading before he was willing to commit. Rooney was making similar comments about the quality of Utd's signings a year or two ago. To me there's only one response to that kind of thing "who the **** do you think you are?" His ego took a bit of a hit by Madrid signing him as a squad player who was available for less than his real market value. Despite that his tweets, media comments and general demeanour suggests that humility and modesty are not amongst his qualities. If there's a punditry career for him I hope it's on sky as I don't subscribe.

[Gibbo]

Newcastle was a very bad choice. After the move he lost it really, turned into a proper thug culminating in this vicious assault on Arteta. Should have retired then for the safety of his fellow professionals really.
Owen Punches Arteta - YouTube

[Norbs]

As in Chat Times Three, Norbs?

Or do you think we're getting our chat on in LFC?

As in ickle Mickey is no longer a sportsman so this could be classed as general chit chat

[Muddled]

I like your trail of thought.

But the same could be said of the 'Charlie Adam' thread.

EDIT: Hmmn, for the above statement to work, Adam would had to have been a sportsman in the first place.

[Lee]

If I can earn myself a block on Twitter from both Piers Morgan and Frankie Boyle, getting Michael Owen to **** off should be a piece of piss.

Well. You are a hero.

Getting a block from them lot. Your life must be complete then.

[saj]

This bit in the Carragher piece made me chuckle.

The way he left Liverpool had saddened Michael and he wanted the opportunity to redeem himself. I sent Rafa Benitez a message explaining what Liverpool could get on a free transfer but Benitez instead went out and bought David Ngog.

It was bollocks as N'gog was signed the previous season! And indeed the article has now been changed to read this:

The way he left Liverpool had saddened Michael and he wanted the opportunity to redeem himself. I sent Rafa Benitez a message explaining what Liverpool could get on a free transfer but Benitez instead brought Andriy Voronin back from a loan spell at Hertha Berlin.

[kev776]

Why?

Why should any employees show loyalty to their employer? It's rarely reciprocated. It's a personal decision for each individual surely? I'm with Didi in this one.

Would you have preferred to have left the season before so that we would have got money? Or would you have liked to him to sign a new contract and then left a season after so that the club could maximise its return on him?

Madrid were in for him. He wanted go. If he had waited another year or two, that opportunity may never have come around again.

That's life.

When that Employer takes you in as an apprentice, teaches you everything you know and makes you one of the best in the world at what you do and pays you handsomely for it, yes by **** you should have some loyalty to that employer.

I can see you were never in that position.