Michael Owen- Staying Is The Right Call
During a brief chat about this a couple of points on this were raised that it seems to be more of an issue in England where there is a stigma of giving your absolute all for the team involving playing a record number of games. Surely being there to support the team when you are needed, even if you aren’t a “star player” is giving a great service to the team as well? People often talk about unsung heroes, and given his lack of appearances last season I’m not even going to try and call Michael Owen that, but why can’t it be commendable to play a supporting role at the best club in the country and the second best in Europe this season? Would John O’Shea be better having 500 appearances for a smaller club and no medals or all his medals and 255 league appearances for United? To me, that’s not lacking ambition, that’s having the temperament to accept your place in the team and the lack of ego to constantly try hard in training even if you know you may not be rewarded with a place in the team. Because Sir Alex wouldn’t tolerate slackers. Rest assured there is no way that contract extension would be offered if Owen wasn’t working in training, taking it easy and chatting about that mornings Racing Post.
A fine example of a player who’s made a remarkably similar decision and been greeted with a totally different response is Clarence Seedorf. Playing mostly from the bench last season, Seedorf has helped Milan to the Scudetto. He’s opted to stay on again this season for more of the same. Could he be playing 30 games at a far lower standard? Of course. But he wants a chance to continue at Milan, challenging for trophies and contributing where he can. I see nothing wrong with this in a player, especially when they reach a certain age. Owen, like Seedorf will continue to train hard, and work to make sure that when called upon they perform to their maximum, that’s the type of players that they are, I just hope Owen gets a few more chances to prove what he can do, even if it is only to provide respite to more lauded colleagues.
Oh and finally, I do think it was a little disrespectful to call Newcastle a poor team. Ill-advised comment perhaps, but certainly not an ill-advised contract.
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Very good article Hayden, a balanced view point indeed. Owen is a true professional both on and off the field and he sets a very good example both to the younger players and his colleagues as well. It’s rare to find someone of his calibre who’s willing to work hard and battle it out for a place in the team, and yet I’ve seen no complaining about the lack of chances he’s getting, and he just gets on with it. Staying on for at least another year is benefical for both himself and Man Utd as young players like Hernandez who are still developing would no doubt benefit from his experience in training. Just the other day Owen was saying how brilliant Hernandez is, that to me shows how thoughtful he is of others around him.
the thing tat i like about him is that inspite of not playing more than 30 games in his 2 season at united….hes not once been seen or heard crying about not playing regularly which shows that he knows his limits and respects his body not to over strain it which is very smart indeed….plus this gives him plenty of time to recuperate from all the niggling injuries hes been suff ering and be ready for any kind of rescue call fergie might give him….i mean of all the strikers at united..hes got the most experience…plus hes already played at a very big club before so he knows how to handle himself….and to top it all off when ever hes stared a game he has scored….i for 1 wud rather have owen on the bench than berbatov….id give him another contract extension..give him a chance to finish his career at a high with respect and dignity that he truly deserves!!!