Owen in England vs Sweden ** SPOILERS **

[cookie-monster]

: England striker Michael Owen accepts he could be left out of the starting line-up for the final World Cup group game against Sweden.
The 26-year-old was substituted early in the second half after another below-par performance.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: "I'm not worried. If I'm sat on the bench, I'm sat on the bench. I've been on the bench in my career before.

"If the manager thinks it is the right thing, he'll do it. That's football."

Owen, who missed the last five months of the Premiership season with a broken foot, came off after 55 minutes of the opening win over Paraguay.

Against Trinidad and Tobago he lasted just three minutes longer as England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson opted to bring on Wayne Rooney to partner Peter Crouch up front.

With Crouch getting on the scoresheet against Trinidad and Tobago and Wayne Rooney seemingly fully fit after his broken metatarsal, Owen's place in the side is under threat.

He added: "We've got 23 players and if I'm on the bench then so be it."

With England already through to the knock-out stages, Eriksson could opt to rest some of his first choice stars, although they still need a point against Sweden to win the group. :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5085922.stm

:eek: :eek: :eek:

[fuzzby]

If we get an early 2 goal lead on Sweden it would be great to see them try a 4-3-3 with Rooney, Crouch AND Owen! :)

[mambo]

But Rooney and Owen arnt tall enough to pull the defenders by their hair :p

http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/sport/wm2006/fotogalerie/england-crouch-haareziehen-160606/foto-4912665-crouch-1-mfb-hoch,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,width=2 45.jpg

[DanneS]

If we get an early 2 goal lead on Sweden it would be great to see them try a 4-3-3 with Rooney, Crouch AND Owen! :)
Keep dreaming. :D
If Sven doesn't rest the players with yellow cards, Gerrard, Lampard and Crouch, he's in big trouble.

I hope England fields their B-team to let out their bench on the pitch and see what they can do.
We have already taken off Zlatan from the starting team so that he can be in a better shape in the next game.

It would be very interesting if Ecuador and Germany ended in a draw. They play in the afternoon the same day.
Do England really want to play Germany this early in the tournament when Ecuador is an option?

[lplover2k]

Sven can try a different formation against Sweden... 4-3-3? like Chelsea formation??

--------------- Robinson -----------------

Neville/Carra------Rio-----Terry------Cole

Beck-----------Lampard-----------Gerrard

Rooney--------Crouch/Owen-------JCole

We can have Gerrard and Lampard winning ball ball and attacking when needed!!

[DanneS]

We can have Gerrard and Lampard winning ball ball and attacking when needed!!
Watch out for those yellow cards that lead to future suspensions in a match which England don't need to win.

[You Knows It]

Crouch 6 goals in 9 internationals (4 as sub)

Rooney 11 goals in 30 internationals (4 as sub)

[cookie-monster]

I think Sven should go for what proved to work best, as close as possible considering those yellow cards, to the 3-5-2 with Lennon and becks but with Roonie and Owen. England looked great on those moments. Such a diff!

I must say I think less of crouch after the game against TNT and that is because one thing: that volley he was trying to make out of great ball from beckham was absolutely disgraceful imo. This is the WC not some easy friendly and no matter who u play against you don’t try something that stupid when you 0-0 and running out of time. that was a completely waist of the ball. Crouch searched for fame&glory on that one and I didn't liked it.

[phenomenom]

Crouch 6 goals in 9 internationals (4 as sub)

Rooney 11 goals in 30 internationals (4 as sub)

rooney with 4 goals in 4 matches in EURO :eek:

[rollosan]

Watch out for those yellow cards that lead to future suspensions in a match which England don't need to win.

I thought that yellow cards got in the first phase get reset for the second round. Is that true? In that case Lampard and Gerrard would be OK

[cookie-monster]

I thought that yellow cards got in the first phase get reset for the second round. Is that true? In that case Lampard and Gerrard would be OK
As I understand it if someone have 1 yellow in the end of the group stage - that one will erased.
If you have 2 yellows \ if u got a red card the last game in the group stage you carry it on to the next stage.

[chriswvtr]

I must say I think less of crouch after the game against TNT and that is because one thing: that volley he was trying to make out of great ball from beckham was absolutely disgraceful imo. This is the WC not some easy friendly and no matter who u play against you don’t try something that stupid when you 0-0 and running out of time. that was a completely waist of the ball. Crouch searched for fame&glory on that one and I didn't liked it.

Do you think if Crouch realised he had as much room as he did that he would ave tried that, the only reason he attempted that is that he thought he had a defender breathing down his neck and wouldn't have the time to control the ball and shoot.

[cookie-monster]

Do you think if Crouch realised he had as much room as he did that he would ave tried that, the only reason he attempted that is that he thought he had a defender breathing down his neck and wouldn't have the time to control the ball and shoot.
I have actually watched it again – and crouch was in position that he could see the defenders. He wasn’t with the back to them. Ok, he also wasn’t with the back to the goal but he stand on that position for few seconds. He could have seen what was happening.

Don’t misunderstand me. I didn’t put a black strip on his name, but I guess he is too new to the England team and have not much experience on the international front

[lplover2k]

he just miskicked the ball... simple as that lol this happen

[King Kenny]

Sven has indicated that no one will be rested or protected from a potential ban and that a full-strength England will face Sweden. Also, in the main training session, the England forward line was Owen and Crouch, so it looks like business as normal for Tuesday. (However, there was also a private training session after the main one, Rooney may well have been tried in that session, but it seems unlikely as Sven has nothing really to hide - Sweden know it'll be 2 from 3 and that Rooney is unlikely to be fully fit and more than likely to play some part towards the end of the game.)

EDIT:
Do England really want to play Germany this early in the tournament when Ecuador is an option?I'd rather face Germany in the 2nd round as that reduces the prospect of meeting Argentina in the 1/4 finals (assuming England finish 2nd in B and Germany top their group). In fact, if I were Sven, I'd drop the entire 1st XI and play:

----------------Robinson/Carson-----------------

Hargreaves* --Carra---------Sol------------Bridge

--------------------- Carrick-------------------

Lennon---------------Jenas----------------Downing


---------Walcott**------------------Owen***-------------


*insert the Neviller if needs match practice
** insert Rooney if needs a run out
*** insert Crouch if required, but I'm guessing Owen needs a match exactly this one to regain some sharpness

[cookie-monster]

In fact, if I were Sven, I'd drop the entire 1st XI and play:

----------------Robinson/Carson-----------------

Hargreaves* --Carra---------Sol------------Bridge

--------------------- Carrick-------------------

Lennon---------------Jenas----------------Downing


---------Walcott**------------------Owen***-------------


*insert the Neviller if needs match practice
** insert Rooney if needs a run out
*** insert Crouch if required, but I'm guessing Owen needs a match exactly this one to regain some sharpness

Why? England didn't win Sweden for long enough that you would have wanted your best team against it - specially if that match result is so important for the next steps

[King Kenny]

Why? England didn't win Sweden for long enough that you would have wanted your best team against it - specially if that match result is so important for the next stepsIf England finish 2nd in the group then they play Germany in 2nd round BUT AVOID ARGENTINA IN THE QUARTER-FINALS. Personally I'd rather play Germany 10 times than face Argentina yet.

You have to beat the best teams to win the World Cup...but you'd rather meet the best team in the final than meet them in the quarter-finals and risk not getting to the final ;)

[DanneS]

As long as Paraguay do their job and don't let T&T win their game, I don't really care who will win the game England vs Sweden.
But a draw would be perfect.

I agree that the possible opponents of a future quarterfinal is important for the english strategy.
Sweden will play any team as long as we qualify, we don't have the same pressure to make it to the semifinal.

[cookie-monster]

I’m pretty convinced about not wanting to meet ARG yet.
Right now Germany is in second place but that doesn’t mean they will stay there after the game against Ecuador.

Plus I’m not so sure that even if England would want to pick her formation and starting players according to who wins in the Germany game, it would not do damage anyway , because the team not looking that good and needs to build some kind of continuance of successful formation with the right players that bring good winning. - and that won't be happening if you be too creative with picking the players for the game

[DanneS]

Yes, a winning team is a winning team but you'll need Gerrard and Lampard when you meet the germans, that's for sure.

And a yellow card could come easily in our game... Sven are you reading this? :cool:

I think King Kennys choice of starting team looks very interesting!

[cookie-monster]

I think King Kennys choice of starting team looks very interesting!
True. And the yellows certainly making it interesting.
Another thing is you can't trust Sven to make the right adjustments during a match. He is always chickening and does nothing. It is amazing that England getting somewhere with him. Last match against TNT I was totally amazed by the HUGE change in England game after the subs and formation change.
I was trying to remember when he did that kind of thing for England -without any luck.

[DanneS]

Last match against TNT I was totally amazed by the HUGE change in England game after the subs and formation change.

Well he did something vital then, as it changed the game.
So for once his choice of changing his tactics and choosing the right subs worked out well.

[cookie-monster]

Well he did something vital then, as it changed the game.
So for once his choice of changing his tactics and choosing the right subs worked out well.
YES my point exactly! He never does that for England. so for once he did. great.(needed sarcastic smily here)
If you chose a certain opening set for England considering the tournament strategy, and it doesn't work, what makes you think that he will do the right adjustments?
I can't think of anything that is for sure

[chauchey]

But Rooney and Owen arnt tall enough to pull the defenders by their hair :p

http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/sport/wm2006/fotogalerie/england-crouch-haareziehen-160606/foto-4912665-crouch-1-mfb-hoch,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,width=2 45.jpg
wow...tough love! :D

[robywang]

winner of A1 vs. B2 will face winner of C1 vs. D2
So to avoid ARG, England need to win the group.


If England finish 2nd in the group then they play Germany in 2nd round BUT AVOID ARGENTINA IN THE QUARTER-FINALS. Personally I'd rather


play Germany 10 times than face Argentina yet.

You have to beat the best teams to win the World Cup...but you'd rather meet the best team in the final than meet them in the quarter-finals and risk not getting to the final ;)

[You Knows It]

Sven has indicated that no one will be rested or protected from a potential ban and that a full-strength England will face Sweden. Also, in the main training session, the England forward line was Owen and Crouch, so it looks like business as normal for Tuesday. (However, there was also a private training session after the main one, Rooney may well have been tried in that session, but it seems unlikely as Sven has nothing really to hide - Sweden know it'll be 2 from 3 and that Rooney is unlikely to be fully fit and more than likely to play some part towards the end of the game.)

EDIT:
I'd rather face Germany in the 2nd round as that reduces the prospect of meeting Argentina in the 1/4 finals (assuming England finish 2nd in B and Germany top their group). In fact, if I were Sven, I'd drop the entire 1st XI and play:

----------------Robinson/Carson-----------------

Hargreaves* --Carra---------Sol------------Bridge

--------------------- Carrick-------------------

Lennon---------------Jenas----------------Downing


---------Walcott**------------------Owen***-------------


*insert the Neviller if needs match practice
** insert Rooney if needs a run out
*** insert Crouch if required, but I'm guessing Owen needs a match exactly this one to regain some sharpness

If England win their group and Argentina theirs, they wouldn't meet until the final.

[libertine]

All this hype about Owen being past it reminds me of the talk of Alan Shearer in the run up to Euro 96 with everyone saying he was past it etc... Owen has had to play in a style which has negated his best attributes playing instead for knock downs from crouch. I think with the return of Rooney we will start to see Owen returning to form and making those runs which have been so succesful for him in the past in getting goals. We will win the World Cup :)

[You Knows It]

All this hype about Owen being past it reminds me of the talk of Alan Shearer in the run up to Euro 96 with everyone saying he was past it etc... Owen has had to play in a style which has negated his best attributes playing instead for knock downs from crouch. I think with the return of Rooney we will start to see Owen returning to form and making those runs which have been so succesful for him in the past in getting goals. We will win the World Cup :)

The talk wasn't that Shearer was past it. It was that people didn't believe he was ever going to make it at international level. Owen, at least, is proven at international whereas Shearer wasn't at the time, he spluttered and it was Euro 96 where he shoved it down their throats. Owen is off form not past it. Whether we can afford to give him games to find his form at such a crucial period is another matter altogether.

[Lanton]

winner of A1 vs. B2 will face winner of C1 vs. D2
So to avoid ARG, England need to win the group.
Would it be a worst-case scenario to have to face the Argies before the final - I don't think so. After all, we beat 'em not that long ago.

[Lanton]

True. And the yellows certainly making it interesting.
Another thing is you can't trust Sven to make the right adjustments during a match. He is always chickening and does nothing. It is amazing that England getting somewhere with him. Last match against TNT I was totally amazed by the HUGE change in England game after the subs and formation change.
I was trying to remember when he did that kind of thing for England -without any luck.
I was trying to think of something else too - the last time England were this good. Before Sven came along we were looking at not qualifying for the '02 WC - and now he's got the best win/loss record of any England manager in recent memory. '02 saw England beat one of the tournament favorites (Argentina) with an injured Beckham and Gerrard out with a groin strain. They then got the quarters and were even 1-0 up agains the tournament favorites, until a fluke goal sent us home packing.

England then went into the first group game of Euro '04, with all the pundits talking of an England loss. For most of the game we were 1-0 up and containing the tournament favorites and then it all fell apart. Then came November last year, where England came back from a goal down to beat the Argies 3-2.

All in all, i'd say Sven's done a great job so far - and if we end up winning this thing, then he'll be regarded as one of the finest gaffas we've ever had. Then again, if we don't win, everyone'll jump on the bandwagon (ignoring his win/loss ratio) and pillory him.

[aqualex]

dont first and second round go together (for cards) and then they go away after that? i think they last for 2 rounds.

[cookie-monster]

I was trying to think of something else too - the last time England were this good. Before Sven came along we were looking at not qualifying for the '02 WC - and now he's got the best win/loss record of any England manager in recent memory. '02 saw England beat one of the tournament favorites (Argentina) with an injured Beckham and Gerrard out with a groin strain. They then got the quarters and were even 1-0 up agains the tournament favorites, until a fluke goal sent us home packing.

England then went into the first group game of Euro '04, with all the pundits talking of an England loss. For most of the game we were 1-0 up and containing the tournament favorites and then it all fell apart. Then came November last year, where England came back from a goal down to beat the Argies 3-2.

All in all, i'd say Sven's done a great job so far - and if we end up winning this thing, then he'll be regarded as one of the finest gaffas we've ever had. Then again, if we don't win, everyone'll jump on the bandwagon (ignoring his win/loss ratio) and pillory him.
In the 2002 Brazil game Sven clearly didn’t do the right adjustment in order to help the team win.
I think it is more the England world class players that took England so far and not Sven decisions. The one good thing that he is doing consistency is bringing very young players to England NT and makes them succeed in the team. He is done that with several players and that credit is for him. But other then that he didn’t prove to me that he dosen’t have that certain killer instinct you need to change a match when you need to in the wc level

[harithfakhrudin]

dying to see some shit from Lennon. i don't think Downing brings much impact for England.

[sunho]

Lennon is a gun. Besides the fact that he is short but he is fast man. Downing is alright, he plays well, He is only what 20 or something isnt he?

[nimme]

Owen wasn't very lucky, knee injury in the first minute =/

[Zico]

Owen wasn't very lucky, knee injury in the first minute =/

I believe he tore his ACL... I did the same exact move he did but it was with my left foot. IMO, its the worst football injury a player can have but he has way better medical treatment than what I had I'm pretty sure he'll be back to 100% in 6 months!!

[mambo]

Any confirmation about the kind of injury ?

[steve huge]

Any confirmation about the kind of injury ?

Waiting on a scan tomorrow. It's making Sven's decision to bring Walcott look dodgy now, Defoe would have been ideal to step in for him......

[chauchey]

i feel so bad for that kid. seriously. doesnt even get a chance to answer his critics. :(

[sunho]

Could be a blessing in disguise for the English. Walcott. Who srsly knows what he is capable of? Im pretty sure he will play against Ecuador for at least 20 minutes

[kaunglei]

feel bad for owen, just the time when i thought he was going to show ppl what he's about...

but i'm not anxious to see walcott yet..

[Dirtycheat]

sorry i would just like to bring to your attention geeza66 warning ages ago

Not sure if this has been posted before but its the first time I have seen this so thought id share :D

Its kinda spooky in a way

666 (http://d.turboupload.com/d/622432/omen_owen_.wmv.html)

watch it but not if your about to go to sleep :p , if only sven was a maxxed member, then he would have known all along.