Glad to here TP being positive: "He's more than just an impact sub. We want Michael fit, in the team and playing regularily...........we believe, once he's match fit, that he'll prove he can still score goals in the Premier League." Excellent news and the article refers to TP & Owen having discussion some 3 months ago, so TP WANTED him! So based on this, how do we accommodate Owen into our starting line up. The reason I ask is that Walters currently plays deep and not as a front 2 and on bad Stoke days when we sit deep with poor possesion it could be said that he actually plays midfield in a 4-5-1. Owen will be wasted and frankly of no use in this role, so how and whatr is TP likely to do with team selection and formation?
Good afternoon Potters...I'm certainly not here for a wind up, but would just like to say that I can't for the life of me see where Pullis is coming from with the Owen signing. Owen has not made a meaningful contribution to the premiership for years now, and it would take a dramatic transformation of his fortunes for that to change.. Anyway, best of luck with this one and for the rest of the season..
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/sep/05/michael-owen-stoke-appreciate?newsfeed=true Long read, but a good one.
I'd love to see us play a formation with 3 CB's and maybe wing backs instead of FB's - I have often said that Ethrington and Pennant spend more time tracking back anyway!
No meaningful contribution?, he stll has a 1 in 2 strike rate (when he starts), and scored lots of goals for Man U considering the amount of time he was on the pitch. When it comes to judging a player dont always look at "games played" because in lots and lots odf games Owen only came on for last 10 mins. As I said if we can keep him fit then we have a Natural goalscorer who is playing for peanuts in Premiership terms. Ive watched and admired the way Owen plays throughout his career and how he conducts himself off the pitch is second to none. I think he is by far the best ENGLISH striker that there has ever been in the prem. Lets face it if we are moaning about sgning Owen then God knows what everyone thinks about Kenwyn Jones (who is on lots more money and couldnt hit a cows arse with a banjo) or Walters (the headless chicken who couldnt finish his dinner). Lets just see what happens before we judge, but I will tell you this, if Owen stays fit and gets game time he willl get twice the amount of goals that Walters will get this season. UTPssssssssss
Welcome to the Stoke board Mr R A White.. Well let's get one thing straight.. whilst at Utd Owen himself has said " Sir Alex did'nt play me that often because, if he had done Owen would have cost Utd more per week" For most of his time there according to M.O. he was'nt injured just that given the choices Utd had and still do have. Owen was not first choice.. And he scored the goal that won the Manchester Derby! Good luck for the season to Sunderland too.. given game time, I suspect that Owen will score the goals.. you don't lose that "knack" re Kevin Philips? I'm well pleased with T.P. and it's NOT often I say that.
I doubt he will start, will probably be on the bench and come on last 15mins. That's my thinking. What TP thinks maybe completely different of course.
Well I hope TP doesn't think like......TP - if you know what I mean. Start him and play him for 60 minutes or at worst bring him on 50-55 minutes - I hate the 10 minute cameo sub - its pointless!
As we only get a few chances each game I would prefer them to fall to Owen than Walters!! But TP will decide for himself so he will probably be at right back!!
There already talking about an England recall - I would just like to see him playing every week for Stoke! http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/346392/Michael-Owen-for-England-
TP was on Sky News today and was asked about Owen i.e. Is he going to play etc.... "Michael has been excellent in training this week" "The lads did smashin at the weekend so it would be difficult to change it" Now I agree 100% with the philosphy that if a team play well then its difficult to make justify a change - hope he uses that phiolsphy when they dont play well!
Smithers, I doubt that he will, I would like to see Owen get some time on the pitch at some time and not 5 minutes at the end of a game but i would like the same for Jerome so I won't be holding my breath.
For me, TP should play Owen with Crouch upfront. That would worry a good number of defences IMHO. No doubt I will be proved wrong by team selection not allowing Owen to play enough minutes! Let us hope tomorrow Owen scores and Crouchie adds a second. I will dream of this tonight!
Cris Well I for one think? that Owen may well start on Saturday! As you say, his reputation alone will worry most defenders even Chelsea's. Even the good wife said. " Is Owen going to start the game vs Chelsea" I sincerely hope that he does... Smithers said, these cameo 10/15 min sub appearences won't give the guy a chance IMHO and they really are of no use. UNLESS we're winning and we still attack which of course as we all know too well. IF or WHEN we are leading any game, it seem's the lads are under orders to defend. That's fine with a few mins left but not with eg half an hour to play. I WISH and HOPE that we give it a right ole ding dong of a go tommorow Cris. Nothing to lose and if you are going to the game. ENJOY it! Oh and KTF
I see from his twitter that he had picked up a "niggle" so couldn't play - doesn't look like he's going to solve our goal issues from the bench! I see Pennant still can't make the squad?
Smither's I heard that " Owen was injured during training yesterday" BUT why did'nt TP put another forward upfront with Crouch today? HAD he done that we would have been far more comfortable than it seemed 2nd half. Jerome? Pennant? both can keep and hold the ball up but.... we got a pt which I half expected anyway. Just anoyed that Walters keeps playing is never subbed. Adam was, same with Whelan who I think was injured today.
