First sign of a bad player is always having to prove his critics wrong and for as long as I could remember, Michael Owen has been trying to prove his critics wrong.

 

For the past 5 years of his career, Owen has done nothing; his form has gone from bad to worse. He peaked 10 years too early and is half the player he was when he first arrived on the scene.

 

In my opinion Michael Owen is a average player at best, he’s a good finisher, he’s injury prone, he lost his pace years ago, hasn’t got a first touch, isn’t technically gifted and has dismal spells and goal droughts.

 

The only thing that Michael Owen has is a reputation for scoring goals and if ever one goal has shaped a career, it is that wonder goal he scored against Argentina when he was 18 years old at France 98. Now that was 10 years ago.

What else has Michael Owen done in a world stage, how bout his club career?  He did well at Liverpool, he did ok at Madrid but at poor old Newcastle, he’s been injured the entire time. He has scored 30 goals in his last 75 club appearances including both stints at Real Madrid and his current club Newcastle.

 

Michael Owen will score goal however he is not a prolific striker and he does nothing in 90 minutes, he is weak, defenders find him easy to deal with, there are no signs of that blistering pace he possessed as a kid.  The only positive aspect of his game is that he still harbours that predatory style which gets him goals in the box.

 

Fabio Capello does not rate him, Rafa Benetiz never did, and the only person who thinks he has something to offer is the ever-deluded Kevin Keegan.

 

It’s well known that Michael is an avid gambler and horse racing enthusiast, perhaps he should hang up his boots early and focus on “sports” he’s better at.