*Official* English Football Season 2009-2010

[cpr]

Yeah Owen's hitting the target but not scoring, at the top level the difference between a goal and a save is very slight, and for a player who's still not 100% up to match form, its a very big ask to be regularly beating some of the best keepers in the world off 1 or 2 touches (lets face it, the area Owen plays in doesnt exactly leave him time to control the ball, steady himself and place it, its all about instinctive touches). TBH he needs more match practise to build up form and get those shots in

 

[Pothas]

Yeah, was a quality goal.

Personally I'm a big fan of the guy. Think he's a threat to any defence in the world. But his finishing just isn't very good at the moment, he misses so, so many more chances than he scores. Because he always goes in behind, most of his chances are from inside the penalty box where hitting the target just isn't enough.

Can hope this comes with fitness, watching a natural striker is just so great, I love Torres because of it and no matter how fat Ronaldo got there were always moments of pure brilliance. Might be because I never see this live, its a rare treat to see someone that can control the ball at Brentford let alone then slot it home perfectly, hense the collective shock when John Bostock on loan from Totenham did exatly that after about 10 minutes last week.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Yea the lack of natural instinctive finishing is what makes Chief Cheateur one of the most overrated players of all time.

 

[Pothas]

While I obviously disagree with your view on Henry you do have a point, would certainly rate him below Ronaldo (the fat one) and quite a few others in the last decade or so in terms of being a great goalscorer, not really surpising given that he is a converted winger.

 

[sledger]

Yeah I agree, the fat Ronaldo was exceptionally good though, people seem to forget this. If Henry had been as good as him at finishing then he would have been a true all time great I suspect.

 

[Pothas]

Ronaldo was amazing, would rate him as the best player of the last twenty years, certainly in terms of natural talent and goalscoring ability, even despite the injuries and the various other issues his record is still stupidly good and is still getting goals now.

 

[sledger]

Ronaldo was amazing, would rate him as the best player of the last twenty years, certainly in terms of natural talent and goalscoring ability, even despite the injuries and the various other issues his record is still stupidly good and is still getting goals now.

I would say he was probably the best goalscorer of the last twenty years...not sure about allround player, though he would be up there mind you. Though he was a more prolific goalscorer and better finisher I would rate him behind Bergkamp and a few others in terms of all round greatness.

 

[Pothas]

Think Ronaldo at his best had everything though, he was far more than just a goalscorer, will always remember that amazing performance against Man utd, was just fantastic. Only Zidane could be rated ahead of him in my opinion.

 

[sledger]

Think Ronaldo at his best had everything though, he was far more than just a goalscorer, will always remember that amazing performance against Man utd, was just fantastic. Only Zidane could be rated ahead of him in my opinion.

Haha that performance against Man Utd was just superb I had forgotten about that, which is strange, as it was probably one of the best two legged ties I have ever watched. Even better considering the fact that at the time Man Utd were probably the team I hated the most.

 

[The Sean]

Think Ronaldo at his best had everything though, he was far more than just a goalscorer, will always remember that amazing performance against Man utd, was just fantastic. Only Zidane could be rated ahead of him in my opinion.

Yep, completely agree with this. Ronaldo in his prime was so much more than a "mere" finisher, he was an absolute genius. Zidane and Ronaldo are IMO probably the only two players since Maradona who genuinely belong in the discussion when debating the top 10-12 players of all time - with sincere apologies to Maldini.

 

[Pothas]

Yeah despised them back them, have no real feeling of dislike for them at all these days, certainly prefer them to Liverpool who I have disliked (with the exception of Torres) for the last few seasons, this year they are just funny though.

 

[The Sean]

I would say he was probably the best goalscorer of the last twenty years...not sure about allround player, though he would be up there mind you. Though he was a more prolific goalscorer and better finisher I would rate him behind Bergkamp and a few others in terms of all round greatness.

As magnificent a player as Bergkamp was, I think the Arsenal-tinted glasses are giving you away there.

 

[sledger]

As magnificent a player as Bergkamp was, I think the Arsenal-tinted glasses are giving you away there.

Hmmm, not so sure to be honest, because as far as Arsenal players go there are several who I always liked a lot more, but I don't think I could really make a case for them being a better player than he was. My most prominent and defining memory of him was also his goal in the world cup against Argentina rather than anything Arsenal related as well..

 

[The Sean]

Yeah, I could watch that goal over and over and never get sick of it. So you'd rate Bergkamp ahead of Henry as the greatest Arsenal player you've seen?

 

[sledger]

Yeah, I could watch that goal over and over and never get sick of it. So you'd rate Bergkamp ahead of Henry as the greatest Arsenal player you've seen?

Probably, just shading Henry, Vieira just behind Henry, and Pires not far behind. I think one of the very key reasons why Henry scored as many as he did and turned into such a great player was because he was given the chance to play alongside Bergkamp who provided him with absolutely fantastic service, they were ideal partners for one another really. Genuinely don't believe Henry would have turned out as well as he has if he didn't get that opportunity.

 

[aussie]

From what I saw from Everton, Owen's almost getting back into his game, his movement is a joy to behold, still looking a bit rusty though.

If
A) He stays fit
B) He gets used to united's play, and more importantly if Utd players get used to Owen's off the ball ability
C) He hits top form

he should make the plane IMO. On his day he can be devestating, when he's got his eye in he's the perfect impact sub.

Agreed. But the worry i have is the Capello is likely to carry two tall strikers & two short strikers. ATS that looks very much like Heseky/Wazza/Defoe/Bent.

If all are fit even if Owen keeps getting better between now & next july. The only way i can see him being picked is if Capello goes againts own rules of players getting consistent game time & drops Heseky (if his lack of game time with Aston Villa continues).

 

[Pothas]

Injuries are always a possibility, almost inevitably given this is a world cup year to Rooney.

 

[Pothas]

Some might call it a PR stunt but I like this from Wigan http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/8374893.stm

 

[sledger]

Though I am a fan of Owen, and believe England are a better team for having him in the side, I cannot bring myself to argue for his inclusion in the squad unless he can stay fit, and in good form, and get a run of games. If he cannot do all three of these there is absolutely no justification for his selection. Particularly if Bent and Defoe are getting 15+ goals a season each. Taking a semi-fit player to a major tournament like the World Cup is a recipe for disaster, as evidenced by....Owen himself during the last World Cup. Not to mention the fact that it would be incredibly unfair to exclude an in form player at the expense of someone who is permanently crocked and only plays an average of 20 minutes a week for his club.

 

[Ikki]

I would say he was probably the best goalscorer of the last twenty years...not sure about allround player, though he would be up there mind you. Though he was a more prolific goalscorer and better finisher I would rate him behind Bergkamp and a few others in terms of all round greatness.

You're overrating Bergkamp TBH. Shouldn't be mentioned alongside Ronaldo, who was much more than a goalscorer. At his peak, Ronaldo was so so good you expected a goal from him almost everytime he touched the ball - that he could take on defenses and beat them at will. He was ridiculously skilled, ridiculously fast and a ridiculously good finisher all in one. A beast. If he cared enough to stay fit he'd still be one of the best players in the world.