Quote -

Fit-again striker Michael Owen will captain England B when they take on Albania at Turf Moor on Friday night.

Owen, 27, has not appeared for England since 20 June, when he suffered a serious knee injury against group rivals Sweden at the World Cup.

---

Do we not have any players who are fit, not likely to break down as soon as they see a ball, and have a bit of recent form?

Why is it that these people think they have a God-given right to be part of the England team (whenther fit or not / whether on form or not) ?

Owen was sold to Real Madrid where he was such a failure that they couldn't wait to get rid of him. So, how come, when he's sat on the bench for 12 months does his "worth" double when he is transferred back here?

Owen had a good game (back in 1998 I think !) but does that really mean he is now a permanent fixture till he dies?

There's no particular reason for believing Owen thinks he has a God-given right to play for England. It's up to the manager to decide who plays. An England B international against Albania is insignificant stuff by any standards.

I do agree with your point about Owen's failure at Real Madrid, ITK. English players are overrated, and when they move abroad, it generally ends in failure. The Premier League is the best in the world (along with the Spanish equivalent) but this is largely down to the fact it is awash with money and overseas stars.

England is desperately short of world class players, and as a result, Owen probably does deserve another chance.

<<< It's up to the manager to decide who plays >>>

I'm not sure that this is true ! During the last World Cup there were lots press hints that there was a cartel of players whop decided who was in the team, what formation they would play and what tactics would be used !

So .... in the last WC our three strikers were - Owen (an accident waiting to happen), Rooney (an accident that had already happened) and someone so famous that I can't even remember his name !

What I'm saying is that the team / squad should be selected on current form - not on (long) past glories that may (or probably won't) be repeated !

I just watched his press conference and he hardly oozed confidence.
The problem we have with our footballers that peak at a young age, is we simply have to use the speed and strenghs at their peak, it sounds cruel to be doing this and looking at writing them off in their twenties but that`s the way it is.

The next England superstar has undoubtably not left school yet.

Not always so Mart - Beckham and others had a long career (but should have been dropped long before he was).

How long is it since Rooney actually scored for England? It's about 3 years isn't it?

OMG ! They are even thinking of recalling Beckham !

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football...ationals/6690471.stm

I wonder how fit Bobby Charlton is these days?

It`s bums on seats and sofas innit with names!

Recall Sir Bobby Charlton, it could be no more unfortunatean incident than the guy who tried to restart the engines on the Cutty Sark this week and sail it away.