Michael Owen V Jermain Defoe

[Radovan's Caravan]

Like David Beckham with his outrageous goal in 96 BC Michael Owen has dined for far too long off his fleeting triumph in ancient Gaul. The fact that both also have the right provenance explains why they've been able to get away with their respective con tricks for far too long...

Slightly different if you're an alumnus of the Addick's (crack 'n sniff) Academy who smashed all records going down at er Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic Football Club. And if you, your children and your children's children are indentured in perpetuity to a shifty, pocket billiards playing wide boy (who does a passable impersonation of a football coach without really trying, whilst taking a turn on everything including the tea & toast at training) well, what's a black midget to do to get himself noticed in these here parts?

Jermain beats Michael hands down when it comes to pace, technique and execution. But Michael has one colossal advantage over Jermain and that is that nobody seems to notice the difference. Worse, nobody WANTS to notice - the incessant drum beat is Rooney and Owen for England. Nobody comments on the glaring deficiencies in Owen's game that are now its hallmarks. And these are not any old defects but major weaknesses in the most vital area - finishing.

In virtually three successive games (Valencia, Birmingham & Burnley) Owen fluffed three one on one's (OK, in the Burnley game, the ref blew anyway for offside to spare his blushes). In each case he made the same mistake - he took a snap shot. He did not keep his cool and try to trick the keeper by changing feet, rounding him (a nail on in the Brum match) or even chipping him. Instead he took the bottler's option and pressed the panic button.

This has been an unfortunate feature of Owen's game since way back when. It's a terrible defect in any striker and worse still in one like Owen whose game is based on exploiting defensive high lines. What ****wit taught him to play like this? The same prat who advised him on the merits of the glancing header on the outswinging ball (80% target miss rate)? Or the twat who okayed his idiosyncratic sprinting style (you never know though - one of these days Usain Bolt might just do the 100 metres mimicking a spitfire)? Or the pillock who told him he could forget about the shooting from range because he'd always be knee high to a grasshopper (Kwai Chang Caine's plastic eyed 'Master' he was not)?

In every department - shootin', huntin'' & fishin - Jermain is better. Maybe that's because he's a (sarf east) Londoner who just doesn't listen to ol' Whitey.

[C-man]

In virtually three successive games (Valencia, Birmingham & Burnley) Owen fluffed three one on one's (OK, in the Burnley game, the ref blew anyway for offside to spare his blushes). In each case he made the same mistake - he took a snap shot. He did not keep his cool and try to trick the keeper by changing feet, rounding him (a nail on in the Brum match) or even chipping him. Instead he took the bottler's option and pressed the panic button.

In every department - shootin', huntin'' & fishin - Jermain is better. Maybe that's because he's a (sarf east) Londoner who just doesn't listen to ol' Whitey.

I like how you chose to ignore Owen's class finish against Wigan.... Not that I disagree with you as the way Defoe has improved over the last 12 months and started the season is worthy of a place in the England team.

You only seem to take note of what you think and dismiss any opinion that differs, which is why a lot of posters on here don't appreciate your threads.

[lildave3]

Defoe is in the England squad, Owen isn't.

What on earth are you spouting now you odd little man.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I think your internet connection in Voj must still be picking up websites from seven years ago if you think the majority of English fans prefer Owen to Defoe.

Unless you bothered typing all that out just to get a few mindless replies, of which this is one.

[Uncle Albert]

Career Goals

Jermaine Defoe: 122 goals

Michael Owen: 202 goals

At the end of the day when both of these two hang up their boots this is all people are going to look at and from the looks of it Defoe has alot to make up on Owen.

[Fox92]

Did you see him 'spuff the chances at Valencia, Birmingham and Burnley'? Thats just a question, not being horrid or anything.

Anyway, Owen and Defoe are both natural finishes but Michael Owen in my opinion is better.

No doubt, Defoe has far better pace but Owen's awareness and finishing is better than Defoe.

Although Jermain has had a good season so far but if I was a manager I would have Owen.

You forget that Owen has been in a relegated team and his confidence may have been running low, now he has scored you'll see the new (old) Michael Owen.

[dandannieldanok]

Career Goals

Jermaine Defoe: 122 goals

Michael Owen: 202 goals

At the end of the day when both of these two hang up their boots this is all people are going to look at and from the looks of it Defoe has alot to make up on Owen.

You don't get the full picture with that though. You have to remember that Owen is a few years older so has played more games, and that he's played (apart from Newcastle) in higher quality teams than Defoe.

For me at the moment you'd be a fool to choose Owen over Defoe. Defoe is hitting his peak, Owen is well past his.

[Bryn]

I think your internet connection in Voj must still be picking up websites from seven years ago if you think the majority of English fans prefer Owen to Defoe.

Unless you bothered typing all that out just to get a few mindless replies, of which this is one.

This.

[StanSP]

Defoe is in the England squad, Owen isn't.

What on earth are you spouting now you odd little man.

[Uncle Albert]

You don't get the full picture with that though. You have to remember that Owen is a few years older so has played more games, and that he's played (apart from Newcastle) in higher quality teams than Defoe.

For me at the moment you'd be a fool to choose Owen over Defoe. Defoe is hitting his peak, Owen is well past his.

Yeah at the moment Defoe over Owen is a certain.

Michael Owen: 421 appearences/202

Jermaine Defoe: 341 appearences/122 goals

In the goals to games ratio thingy they are pretty equal - Defoe is 80 games and 80 goals behind Owen.

[Alexikokopops]

Hang on, have we gone back to 2004?

[purpleronnie]

Defoe for me.

[dandannieldanok]

Yeah at the moment Defoe over Owen is a certain.

Michael Owen: 421 appearences/202

Jermaine Defoe: 341 appearences/122 goals

In the goals to games ratio thingy they are pretty equal - Defoe is 80 games and 80 goals behind Owen.

EDIT: ignore me

[Radovan's Caravan]

Defoe is in the England squad, Owen isn't.

What on earth are you spouting now you odd little man.

Because your thicko movers and shakers want it the other way round pal. Interesting on that incredible contraption 'footytube' how the Beeb edted out Owen's malfunctions at Turf Moor on MOTD and how the foreign channels insured they stayed in. And how whenever the pre match Man Utd line up has Rooney and Owen paired from the off your duff comentators never pass up the opportunity to refer to this being the desirable England set up also.

And just look at the partially sighted Owen goobies piling in here who, just like the deeply flawed player they admire, can only respond instinctively. They cannot reflect on Owen's weaknesses in the same way that he, when he has time, dare not use it (unlike a lot of lower league players I have seen recently). He's a complete bag of nerves with no faith in his own technical ability (he was a nifty dribbler once, though this this too was never picked up by any of YOUR pundits) - though this aspect of his game (like his pace) seems to have gone west.

Make no mistake, great pressure is coming from the strangest quarters to get Owen back in the England set-up. Would you ever have Adamed and Eve'd it that the Bung Meister himself would have championed his own player's recall to the ranks of the 'Auld Enemy'?

The cat amongst the pigeons of my argument against poxy English footy is Jermain (those two outstep finishes against Hull were sublime - Owen doesn't have the technique to emulate those). On current form he is as good as Eto'o and probably the best out and out striker in Europe.

High praise indeed from your biggest and most insightful critic...

[dandannieldanok]

Because your thicko movers and shakers want it the other way round pal. Interesting on that incredible contraption 'footytube' how the Beeb edted out Owen's malfunctions at Turf Moor on MOTD and how the foreign channels insured they stayed in.

Utter bollocks, they showed both of Owen's misses both in the highlights and when talking about the game afterwards. I do agree that a lot of people seem to still have a blinkered view about Owen but you do come out with so much rubbish.

[davieG]

As usual your biased argument is almost totally based on your feedback from the British media. Why do you continue to assume that what the media writes/shows is reflective of the majority of fans.

In all areas, particularly sport the British media, I don't know about foreign media has their own agenda often far removed from the majority of fans.

As an example the recent coverage of Ipswich V Leicester by the BBC was all about Roy Keene, not about Ipswich, Leicester or even football, they didn't even show Pearson's after match comments even though he made some.

You're falling for their manipulation don't assume we're all doing the same.

[Radovan's Caravan]

Utter bollocks, they showed both of Owen's misses both in the highlights and when talking about the game afterwards. I do agree that a lot of people seem to still have a blinkered view about Owen but you do come out with so much rubbish.

Didn't see them on footytube...

Your concession that a lot of people have a 'blinkered view about Owen' is a tacit admission that there is a movement for a national recall.

Of course it does nothing for your street cred to be seen agreeing with 'so much rubbish' of mine but that is what you are doing.

[shen]

Defoe's got the confidence to smash in the goals at the moment, but I do wonder why he shoots so hard sometimes when he's one on one inside the box. He's previously been slated for his profligacy in front of goal, so Defoe is certainly not without his weaknesses either. Im surprised you rate him higher than Torres though, RC.

[dandannieldanok]

Didn't see them on footytube...

Your concession that a lot of people have a 'blinkered view about Owen' is a tacit admission that there is a movement for a national recall.

Of course it does nothing for your street cred to be seen agreeing with 'so much rubbish' of mine but that is what you are doing.

"Movement for a national recall" ?!? - One man and one man only decides the squad, you really think someone as stubborn and experienced as Capello gives a shit what the public think.

Yes I am agreeing with you about the overall discussion, but you really do make some awful points that simply aren't true, anything to suit your argument though eh?

[Bert]

Can't you just piss off back toy our caravan, you're boring.

[davieG]

Didn't see them on footytube...

Your concession that a lot of people have a 'blinkered view about Owen' is a tacit admission that there is a movement for a national recall.

Of course it does nothing for your street cred to be seen agreeing with 'so much rubbish' of mine but that is what you are doing.

They'll always be a movement re one player or another it doesn't mean it's big or the view of the majority. We're a country where people are encouraged to come up with their own ideals, although that's taking a battering under recent repressive legislation and control however this results in some weird, wonderful, outrageous, stupid suggestions but we're happy on the whole to accept these eccentric views.

[shen]

As usual your biased argument is almost totally based on your feedback from the British media. Why do you continue to assume that what the media writes/shows is reflective of the majority of fans.

In all areas, particularly sport the British media, I don't know about foreign media has their own agenda often far removed from the majority of fans.

As an example the recent coverage of Ipswich V Leicester by the BBC was all about Roy Keene, not about Ipswich, Leicester or even football, they didn't even show Pearson's after match comments even though he made some.

You're falling for their manipulation don't assume we're all doing the same.

But the media hold more power over Owen's potential recall than the fans do. The pressure on the FA and Capello isn't going to come from the England boo-boys. Even Alan Hansens words would weigh more than those boos.

[davieG]

But the media hold more power over Owen's potential recall than the fans do. The pressure on the FA and Capello isn't going to come from the England boo-boys. Even Alan Hansens words would weigh more than those boos.

Maybe but that still isn't the fans which was my point. Caravan continually suggests and denigrates English footy fans based on this media tripe we mostly don't agree with the media.

As for Capello I refer you to this post - http://www.foxestalk.co.uk/forums/index.ph...t&p=1461201.

[Radovan's Caravan]

As usual your biased argument is almost totally based on your feedback from the British media. Why do you continue to assume that what the media writes/shows is reflective of the majority of fans.

In all areas, particularly sport the British media, I don't know about foreign media has their own agenda often far removed from the majority of fans.

As an example the recent coverage of Ipswich V Leicester by the BBC was all about Roy Keene, not about Ipswich, Leicester or even football, they didn't even show Pearson's after match comments even though he made some.

You're falling for their manipulation don't assume we're all doing the same.

Well in all my born days that's the last thing that my sternest crtics and most resolute opponents would ever accuse me of. I am the living antithesis of belief, trust and received wisdom. I am the perpetual sceptic, the permanent rejector of hegemonies and the debunker in chief of popularly accepted verisimultudes.

The only opinion that I value more highly than my own personally handcrafted deducted one in my own cerebral workshop has not as yet been formed

Got that me ol' mucker?

[shen]

Maybe but that still isn't the fans which was my point. Caravan continually suggests and denigrates English footy fans based on this media tripe we mostly don't agree with the media.

As for Capello I refer you to this post - http://www.foxestalk.co.uk/forums/index.ph...t&p=1461201.

He might be the one with the final say, but it's the FA that will react if the media becomes unhappy with him. Just like with Eriksson.