Toon set for war over Owen

[sweetleftpeg 0]

The timing is unlucky, that's all. It's no loyalty issue, it's no conspiracy. We knew he was going to be out for the season last summer. He'll be fit in the summer, and England will have a fixture before NUFC. Simple as.

[Renton 22391]

In the news today that we are seeking an injunction to prevent him from playing for England until the FA give us some more compensation money for the injury at the WC. Owen is refusing to say that he won't play for England.

 

Seriously, there is only Freddy Shepherd that has the unique combination of enormous ego and lack of intelligence to do something like this. Spectactularly stupid. It's one of those situations that you can see culminating in us selling him for a big discount in January as club and player fall out.

 

Well for once I agree with Shepherd, I have to say. Serves him right for buying the mercenary twat anyway, I guess.

 

 

You agree with the talk about injuctions?

 

No, not at all, that's typical Shepherd diplomacy, shooting himself in his fat foot. What I do think is that if Owen had any decency at all, he'd rule himself out of playing for England, until he put in some games playing for us. But the guy has no decency or loyalty to us whatsoever.

 

I don't know what this has to do with decency or loyalty? If Owen is fit or feels fit enough, he is entitled to play.

 

I'm not denying he is entitled to play, hence I think Shepherd's efforts are a waste of time. Imo he's a tosser if he does play though. His loyalty should be the club who pay his wages, not England.

 

Please explain to me how in playing for England when he is fully fit, at a time when NUFC have no games because the season is finished, he is demonstrating a lack of loyalty to his club.

 

I admit I'm not being entirely rational here, but I get the strong impression Owen doesn't give a toss for us and only cares for England. Can you really not see why Sheperd and people like me are pissed off with the fact he hasn't kicked a ball for us all season, but has "timed" his comeback to coincide with an England game? What if he gets injured for England again?

 

Why do you think Shepherd is so pissed off with the situation btw? I reckon he knows a lot more about Owen's attitude towards us than he's letting on. Signing Owen has proved to be a massive blunder, he'll probably piss off to ManU having cost us 15 million quid for 7 goals or whatever. The lads on a reputed 120k per week and doesen't even attend matches ffs. Sorry if my dislike of him doesn't meet your approval.

[Gemmill 47035]

In the news today that we are seeking an injunction to prevent him from playing for England until the FA give us some more compensation money for the injury at the WC. Owen is refusing to say that he won't play for England.

 

Seriously, there is only Freddy Shepherd that has the unique combination of enormous ego and lack of intelligence to do something like this. Spectactularly stupid. It's one of those situations that you can see culminating in us selling him for a big discount in January as club and player fall out.

 

Well for once I agree with Shepherd, I have to say. Serves him right for buying the mercenary twat anyway, I guess.

 

 

You agree with the talk about injuctions?

 

No, not at all, that's typical Shepherd diplomacy, shooting himself in his fat foot. What I do think is that if Owen had any decency at all, he'd rule himself out of playing for England, until he put in some games playing for us. But the guy has no decency or loyalty to us whatsoever.

 

I don't know what this has to do with decency or loyalty? If Owen is fit or feels fit enough, he is entitled to play.

 

I'm not denying he is entitled to play, hence I think Shepherd's efforts are a waste of time. Imo he's a tosser if he does play though. His loyalty should be the club who pay his wages, not England.

 

Please explain to me how in playing for England when he is fully fit, at a time when NUFC have no games because the season is finished, he is demonstrating a lack of loyalty to his club.

 

I admit I'm not being entirely rational here, but I get the strong impression Owen doesn't give a toss for us and only cares for England. Can you really not see why Sheperd and people like me are pissed off with the fact he hasn't kicked a ball for us all season, but has "timed" his comeback to coincide with an England game? What if he gets injured for England again?

 

Why do you think Shepherd is so pissed off with the situation btw? I reckon he knows a lot more about Owen's attitude towards us than he's letting on. Signing Owen has proved to be a massive blunder, he'll probably piss off to ManU having cost us 15 million quid for 7 goals or whatever. The lads on a reputed 120k per week and doesen't even attend matches ffs. Sorry if my dislike of him doesn't meet your approval.

 

He hasn't "timed" anything man. He's been out with a knee ligament injury. We all knew he'd be out for pretty much the season. That there's an England friendly a couple of months after his return has nothing to do with anything. Where do you get this strong impression that he doesn't give a toss about NUFC from? He's done no more or less than any other player at the club in that regard, he just happens to have got injured. People have just made their mind up about him based on the fact that the press are more concerned about Michael Owen and his injuries from an England point of view.

 

Shepherd is pissed off because he doesn't feel like he's got sufficient compensation from the FA for the fact that Owen got injured while on England duty. That's got fuck all to do with Owen though. As for him signing for Man U blah blah, you're just ranting about nothing.

 

Seriously, I do wonder about some Newcastle fans and this desperate need they have for the players to show the same love for the club that we do. The lad is a professional footballer, who is paid to play for Newcastle United. He's not paid to profess his love the club or the fans, or to attend every game while he's injured. You're not kidding about being irrational.

[Renton 22391]

In the news today that we are seeking an injunction to prevent him from playing for England until the FA give us some more compensation money for the injury at the WC. Owen is refusing to say that he won't play for England.

 

Seriously, there is only Freddy Shepherd that has the unique combination of enormous ego and lack of intelligence to do something like this. Spectactularly stupid. It's one of those situations that you can see culminating in us selling him for a big discount in January as club and player fall out.

 

Well for once I agree with Shepherd, I have to say. Serves him right for buying the mercenary twat anyway, I guess.

 

 

You agree with the talk about injuctions?

 

No, not at all, that's typical Shepherd diplomacy, shooting himself in his fat foot. What I do think is that if Owen had any decency at all, he'd rule himself out of playing for England, until he put in some games playing for us. But the guy has no decency or loyalty to us whatsoever.

 

I don't know what this has to do with decency or loyalty? If Owen is fit or feels fit enough, he is entitled to play.

 

I'm not denying he is entitled to play, hence I think Shepherd's efforts are a waste of time. Imo he's a tosser if he does play though. His loyalty should be the club who pay his wages, not England.

 

Please explain to me how in playing for England when he is fully fit, at a time when NUFC have no games because the season is finished, he is demonstrating a lack of loyalty to his club.

 

I admit I'm not being entirely rational here, but I get the strong impression Owen doesn't give a toss for us and only cares for England. Can you really not see why Sheperd and people like me are pissed off with the fact he hasn't kicked a ball for us all season, but has "timed" his comeback to coincide with an England game? What if he gets injured for England again?

 

Why do you think Shepherd is so pissed off with the situation btw? I reckon he knows a lot more about Owen's attitude towards us than he's letting on. Signing Owen has proved to be a massive blunder, he'll probably piss off to ManU having cost us 15 million quid for 7 goals or whatever. The lads on a reputed 120k per week and doesen't even attend matches ffs. Sorry if my dislike of him doesn't meet your approval.

 

He hasn't "timed" anything man. He's been out with a knee ligament injury. We all knew he'd be out for pretty much the season. That there's an England friendly a couple of months after his return has nothing to do with anything. Where do you get this strong impression that he doesn't give a toss about NUFC from? He's done no more or less than any other player at the club in that regard, he just happens to have got injured. People have just made their mind up about him based on the fact that the press are more concerned about Michael Owen and his injuries from an England point of view.

 

Shepherd is pissed off because he doesn't feel like he's got sufficient compensation from the FA for the fact that Owen got injured while on England duty. That's got fuck all to do with Owen though. As for him signing for Man U blah blah, you're just ranting about nothing.

 

Seriously, I do wonder about some Newcastle fans and this desperate need they have for the players to show the same love for the club that we do. The lad is a professional footballer, who is paid to play for Newcastle United. He's not paid to profess his love the club or the fans, or to attend every game while he's injured. You're not kidding about being irrational.

 

He doesn't even live here ffs! He's being paid a 5 figure sum per week from us and is living in Cheshire. Maybe I am irrational (when it comes to football I'm entitled to be) but the bottom line is I don't like him as a person. Read his autobiograph - the lad's a twat tbh.

[Isegrim 10017]

In the news today that we are seeking an injunction to prevent him from playing for England until the FA give us some more compensation money for the injury at the WC. Owen is refusing to say that he won't play for England.

 

Seriously, there is only Freddy Shepherd that has the unique combination of enormous ego and lack of intelligence to do something like this. Spectactularly stupid. It's one of those situations that you can see culminating in us selling him for a big discount in January as club and player fall out.

 

Well for once I agree with Shepherd, I have to say. Serves him right for buying the mercenary twat anyway, I guess.

 

 

You agree with the talk about injuctions?

 

No, not at all, that's typical Shepherd diplomacy, shooting himself in his fat foot. What I do think is that if Owen had any decency at all, he'd rule himself out of playing for England, until he put in some games playing for us. But the guy has no decency or loyalty to us whatsoever.

 

I don't know what this has to do with decency or loyalty? If Owen is fit or feels fit enough, he is entitled to play.

 

I'm not denying he is entitled to play, hence I think Shepherd's efforts are a waste of time. Imo he's a tosser if he does play though. His loyalty should be the club who pay his wages, not England.

 

Please explain to me how in playing for England when he is fully fit, at a time when NUFC have no games because the season is finished, he is demonstrating a lack of loyalty to his club.

 

I admit I'm not being entirely rational here, but I get the strong impression Owen doesn't give a toss for us and only cares for England. Can you really not see why Sheperd and people like me are pissed off with the fact he hasn't kicked a ball for us all season, but has "timed" his comeback to coincide with an England game? What if he gets injured for England again?

 

Why do you think Shepherd is so pissed off with the situation btw? I reckon he knows a lot more about Owen's attitude towards us than he's letting on. Signing Owen has proved to be a massive blunder, he'll probably piss off to ManU having cost us 15 million quid for 7 goals or whatever. The lads on a reputed 120k per week and doesen't even attend matches ffs. Sorry if my dislike of him doesn't meet your approval.

 

He hasn't "timed" anything man. He's been out with a knee ligament injury. We all knew he'd be out for pretty much the season. That there's an England friendly a couple of months after his return has nothing to do with anything. Where do you get this strong impression that he doesn't give a toss about NUFC from? He's done no more or less than any other player at the club in that regard, he just happens to have got injured. People have just made their mind up about him based on the fact that the press are more concerned about Michael Owen and his injuries from an England point of view.

 

Shepherd is pissed off because he doesn't feel like he's got sufficient compensation from the FA for the fact that Owen got injured while on England duty. That's got fuck all to do with Owen though. As for him signing for Man U blah blah, you're just ranting about nothing.

 

Seriously, I do wonder about some Newcastle fans and this desperate need they have for the players to show the same love for the club that we do. The lad is a professional footballer, who is paid to play for Newcastle United. He's not paid to profess his love the club or the fans, or to attend every game while he's injured. You're not kidding about being irrational.

 

He doesn't even live here ffs! He's being paid a 5 figure sum per week from us and is living in Cheshire. Maybe I am irrational (when it comes to football I'm entitled to be) but the bottom line is I don't like him as a person. Read his autobiograph - the lad's a twat tbh.

Does he have a bad handwriting, too?

[Gemmill 47035]

In the news today that we are seeking an injunction to prevent him from playing for England until the FA give us some more compensation money for the injury at the WC. Owen is refusing to say that he won't play for England.

 

Seriously, there is only Freddy Shepherd that has the unique combination of enormous ego and lack of intelligence to do something like this. Spectactularly stupid. It's one of those situations that you can see culminating in us selling him for a big discount in January as club and player fall out.

 

Well for once I agree with Shepherd, I have to say. Serves him right for buying the mercenary twat anyway, I guess.

 

 

You agree with the talk about injuctions?

 

No, not at all, that's typical Shepherd diplomacy, shooting himself in his fat foot. What I do think is that if Owen had any decency at all, he'd rule himself out of playing for England, until he put in some games playing for us. But the guy has no decency or loyalty to us whatsoever.

 

I don't know what this has to do with decency or loyalty? If Owen is fit or feels fit enough, he is entitled to play.

 

I'm not denying he is entitled to play, hence I think Shepherd's efforts are a waste of time. Imo he's a tosser if he does play though. His loyalty should be the club who pay his wages, not England.

 

Please explain to me how in playing for England when he is fully fit, at a time when NUFC have no games because the season is finished, he is demonstrating a lack of loyalty to his club.

 

I admit I'm not being entirely rational here, but I get the strong impression Owen doesn't give a toss for us and only cares for England. Can you really not see why Sheperd and people like me are pissed off with the fact he hasn't kicked a ball for us all season, but has "timed" his comeback to coincide with an England game? What if he gets injured for England again?

 

Why do you think Shepherd is so pissed off with the situation btw? I reckon he knows a lot more about Owen's attitude towards us than he's letting on. Signing Owen has proved to be a massive blunder, he'll probably piss off to ManU having cost us 15 million quid for 7 goals or whatever. The lads on a reputed 120k per week and doesen't even attend matches ffs. Sorry if my dislike of him doesn't meet your approval.

 

He hasn't "timed" anything man. He's been out with a knee ligament injury. We all knew he'd be out for pretty much the season. That there's an England friendly a couple of months after his return has nothing to do with anything. Where do you get this strong impression that he doesn't give a toss about NUFC from? He's done no more or less than any other player at the club in that regard, he just happens to have got injured. People have just made their mind up about him based on the fact that the press are more concerned about Michael Owen and his injuries from an England point of view.

 

Shepherd is pissed off because he doesn't feel like he's got sufficient compensation from the FA for the fact that Owen got injured while on England duty. That's got fuck all to do with Owen though. As for him signing for Man U blah blah, you're just ranting about nothing.

 

Seriously, I do wonder about some Newcastle fans and this desperate need they have for the players to show the same love for the club that we do. The lad is a professional footballer, who is paid to play for Newcastle United. He's not paid to profess his love the club or the fans, or to attend every game while he's injured. You're not kidding about being irrational.

 

He doesn't even live here ffs! He's being paid a 5 figure sum per week from us and is living in Cheshire. Maybe I am irrational (when it comes to football I'm entitled to be) but the bottom line is I don't like him as a person. Read his autobiograph - the lad's a twat tbh.

 

You're a twat for reading a footballer's autobiography.

[manc-mag 1]

An injunction to stop him playing for England?

 

FWIW I agree with whats been said by people on both sides of the Owen loyalty debate I am just praying that the injunction thing is paper talk.

 

If it's for real (and I honestly don't know which lawyers advise Freddy) then I despair of the management of this fotball club. Could this honestly happen anywhere else?

[ewerk 31582]

I am just praying that the injunction thing is paper talk.

 

It's come straight from the Fat Man's mouth.

 

I think that there are a lot of people buying into the fact that any time Owen is mentioned in the national media is it with regards to England and thats not his fault, the media don't give a fuck about Newcastle and if Owen does a half hour interview and spends 25 minutes talking about Newcastle and 5 minutes about England the media will focus on what he has said about England.

 

I don't give a fuck if he lives in Chester as long as he does it on the pitch for Newcastle and when fit he has done the business and at the end of the day that is all we can ask for.

[Gemmill 47035]

An injunction to stop him playing for England?

 

FWIW I agree with whats been said by people on both sides of the Owen loyalty debate I am just praying that the injunction thing is paper talk.

 

If it's for real (and I honestly don't know which lawyers advise Freddy) then I despair of the management of this fotball club. Could this honestly happen anywhere else?

 

It's for real.

 

This from the BBC:

 

Newcastle have threatened legal action against the Football Association to stop England using Michael Owen in the June Euro 2008 qualifier with Estonia.

 

The Magpies want compensation from the FA for the knee injury the 27-year-old striker suffered at the 2006 World Cup.

 

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd told the Sunday Mirror: "We could get an injunction to stop him playing.

 

"We would do that very reluctantly. We will be seeking a reimbursement of his medical costs."

 

Shepherd added: "We have not been paid a penny by the FA for Owen's recuperation bill. They cut him loose as soon as he was put on the plane home, despite it costing us well over £150,000.

 

"They even told us to get the money off Fifa when it was clearly the FA's responsibility as he was in their care and control."

 

Owen ruptured his anterior cruciate knee ligament against Sweden in the third match of the group stages with England.

 

The striker has not played since, although a recent outing for the reserves suggests he could play for Newcastle before the end of the season - theoretically making him available for England's friendly with Brazil on 1 June and the Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia on 6 June.

 

But Shepherd wants to prevent his international recall, adding: "The FA are forcing us to go to court and our lawyers believe there is a very good chance we can win this case."

 

An FA spokesman said: "It is inappropriate to comment on this matter at this time."

[manc-mag 1]

An injunction to stop him playing for England?

 

FWIW I agree with whats been said by people on both sides of the Owen loyalty debate I am just praying that the injunction thing is paper talk.

 

If it's for real (and I honestly don't know which lawyers advise Freddy) then I despair of the management of this fotball club. Could this honestly happen anywhere else?

 

It's for real.

 

This from the BBC:

 

Newcastle have threatened legal action against the Football Association to stop England using Michael Owen in the June Euro 2008 qualifier with Estonia.

 

The Magpies want compensation from the FA for the knee injury the 27-year-old striker suffered at the 2006 World Cup.

 

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd told the Sunday Mirror: "We could get an injunction to stop him playing.

 

"We would do that very reluctantly. We will be seeking a reimbursement of his medical costs."

 

Shepherd added: "We have not been paid a penny by the FA for Owen's recuperation bill. They cut him loose as soon as he was put on the plane home, despite it costing us well over £150,000.

 

"They even told us to get the money off Fifa when it was clearly the FA's responsibility as he was in their care and control."

 

Owen ruptured his anterior cruciate knee ligament against Sweden in the third match of the group stages with England.

 

The striker has not played since, although a recent outing for the reserves suggests he could play for Newcastle before the end of the season - theoretically making him available for England's friendly with Brazil on 1 June and the Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia on 6 June.

 

But Shepherd wants to prevent his international recall, adding: "The FA are forcing us to go to court and our lawyers believe there is a very good chance we can win this case."

 

An FA spokesman said: "It is inappropriate to comment on this matter at this time."

 

I don't think I'd be quite so confident tbh as on one level it's simply a contractual issue between club and player and potentially theres further arguments such as restraint of trade that Owen could bring in. That to one side however, the reality is Freddy will be fighting this against Michael Owen, not the FA. So even if he were to 'win', as has already been mentioned, I think we can safely assume he'd succeed in alienating Owen forever and hence we could expect to lose him and millions of pounds in the process.

[Guest alex]

If it was Shearer wanting to get fit and play for England no fucker would have said anything. If Shepherd is going ahead with this I can only assume he wants to sell Owen. Or he's a bigger fool than I thought he was. Or both.

[Renton 22391]

So me and Freddy are the only ones peeved about Owen's attitude then?

[Gemmill 47035]

So me and Freddy are the only ones peeved about Owen's attitude then?

 

What attitude?

[geordieshandy 0]

Personally I think the England side should be picked on form for club and country, I fail to see how Owen should get in the side without having played a game. That he probably will, is down to how rubbish the lads who have got in the side recently have performed, and how McClaren would prefer to pick his favourites rather than the best on form strikers the country has.

 

Actually has McClaren said anything on the subject yet or not?

[Gemmill 47035]

Personally I think the England side should be picked on form for club and country, I fail to see how Owen should get in the side without having played a game. That he probably will, is down to how rubbish the lads who have got in the side recently have performed, and how McClaren would prefer to pick his favourites rather than the best on form strikers the country has.

 

Actually has McClaren said anything on the subject yet or not?

 

To be fair, outside of Rooney and Crouch, you're struggling for English centre forwards who are either top class (Rooney) or showing any sort of form (Crouch). Owen's proved time and again that he'll score goals at that level, so it makes sense to get him back in asap to be part of the squad.

[Renton 22391]

So me and Freddy are the only ones peeved about Owen's attitude then?

 

What attitude?

 

Not living in Newcastle, not attending games, and blatently putting country before club.

[ewerk 31582]

So me and Freddy are the only ones peeved about Owen's attitude then?

 

What attitude?

 

Not living in Newcastle, not attending games, and blatently putting country before club.

 

Explain to me how he has put country before club.

Edited April 16, 2007 by ewerk

[geordieshandy 0]

So me and Freddy are the only ones peeved about Owen's attitude then?

 

What attitude?

 

Not living in Newcastle, not attending games, and blatently putting country before club.

 

He lives at Gallowhill near Whalton. Only about twenty five minutes or so out of town. Closer than Shepherd, the Chief Exec and a few others.

[Gemmill 47035]

So me and Freddy are the only ones peeved about Owen's attitude then?

 

What attitude?

 

Not living in Newcastle, not attending games, and blatently putting country before club.

 

Ah right, his "not living in Newcastle, not attending games, and blatantly putting country before club" attitude. That one. Jesus wept.

 

As I've said elsewhere, the lad is a professional footballer, paid to play for Newcastle. Where he lives is a matter of personal choice, whether he attends games when injured is too - I couldn't give a fuck about either. As for putting country before club - I've seen no evidence of that (have you?) but are you surprised that he's prouder pulling on an England shirt than a Newcastle one? I'm not - he was prouder playing for England than Liverpool too ffs. And I'm quite comfortable with it, as I know that outside of getting injured playing for England, it won't impact on his performances for Newcastle at all.

Edited April 16, 2007 by Gemmill

[Renton 22391]

So me and Freddy are the only ones peeved about Owen's attitude then?

 

What attitude?

 

Not living in Newcastle, not attending games, and blatently putting country before club.

 

Ah right, his "not living in Newcastle, not attending games, and blatantly putting country before club" attitude. That one. Jesus wept.

 

As I've said elsewhere, the lad is a professional footballer, paid to play for Newcastle. Where he lives is a matter of personal choice, whether he attends games when injured is too - I couldn't give a fuck about either. As for putting country before club - I've seen no evidence of that (have you?) but are you surprised that he's prouder pulling on an England shirt than a Newcastle one? I'm not - he was prouder playing for England than Liverpool too ffs. And I'm quite comfortable with it, as I know that outside of getting injured playing for England, it won't impact on his performances for Newcastle at all.

 

Attending matches, and seeing how we have played is the absolute minimum I expect from this so-called professional. It would be a statement of commitment if nothing else. When Taylor was injured he attended every home match, I expect that from Owen too. You disagree, fair enough, but don't brand me as being mad for not concurring.

 

Regarding England, sorry to bring up a cliche here, but he should remember who pays his wages and his sick pay. Clubs have such investment in players now I can forsee this problem becoming more acute and players being witheld from the national team. Shepherd does have a point imo, although he's dealing with it in a particularly ham fisted way, which is typical.

[manc-mag 1]

So me and Freddy are the only ones peeved about Owen's attitude then?

 

What attitude?

 

Not living in Newcastle, not attending games, and blatently putting country before club.

 

I actually agree with your appraisal of his attitude, I just think we've just got to wear it tbh (the only alternative being to get rid). Owen's probably no different to many players in terms of his loyalties. We pay his wages of course which gives us the right to demand loyalty but the truth of the matter is that loyalty is earned in other ways. I don't even think that Shepherd has got Owen's respect, never mind loyalty.

[Guest alex]

So me and Freddy are the only ones peeved about Owen's attitude then?

 

What attitude?

 

Not living in Newcastle, not attending games, and blatently putting country before club.

 

I actually agree with your appraisal of his attitude, I just think we've just got to wear it tbh (the only alternative being to get rid). Owen's probably no different to many players in terms of his loyalties. We pay his wages of course which gives us the right to demand loyalty but the truth of the matter is that loyalty is earned in other ways. I don't even think that Shepherd has got Owen's respect, never mind loyalty.

The difference between him a lot of other players we have and have had being that he's class and he's a model pro. The problem I have with people having a pop at him is that it's almost as though they blame him for the two injuries he's got since joining us. When you take away the bad luck he's had I don't think you can criticise him much.

[Gemmill 47035]

So me and Freddy are the only ones peeved about Owen's attitude then?

 

What attitude?

 

Not living in Newcastle, not attending games, and blatently putting country before club.

 

Ah right, his "not living in Newcastle, not attending games, and blatantly putting country before club" attitude. That one. Jesus wept.

 

As I've said elsewhere, the lad is a professional footballer, paid to play for Newcastle. Where he lives is a matter of personal choice, whether he attends games when injured is too - I couldn't give a fuck about either. As for putting country before club - I've seen no evidence of that (have you?) but are you surprised that he's prouder pulling on an England shirt than a Newcastle one? I'm not - he was prouder playing for England than Liverpool too ffs. And I'm quite comfortable with it, as I know that outside of getting injured playing for England, it won't impact on his performances for Newcastle at all.

 

Attending matches, and seeing how we have played is the absolute minimum I expect from this so-called professional. It would be a statement of commitment if nothing else. When Taylor was injured he attended every home match, I expect that from Owen too. You disagree, fair enough, but don't brand me as being mad for not concurring.

 

Regarding England, sorry to bring up a cliche here, but he should remember who pays his wages and his sick pay. Clubs have such investment in players now I can forsee this problem becoming more acute and players being witheld from the national team. Shepherd does have a point imo, although he's dealing with it in a particularly ham fisted way, which is typical.

 

How do you know what games he is and isn't at though? As far as I can gather you've got yourself worked up because he was at a horse race in Dubai while we were getting dicked off Man City. It's one game, so what? There's plenty season ticket holders go on holiday and miss home games. It means nowt.

 

What point are you making in your second paragraph. "He should remember who pays his wages and his sick pay." What has he done that makes you think that he isn't mindful of that? If I'm Michael Owen I'm thinking "OK, I've recovered from my knee injury, I'm fit to play for Newcastle if picked, so why should I rule myself out of playing for England?". Why should he?

[ewerk 31582]

Out of interest does any one know how many England games Owen has attended while being injured?

[Guest alex]

Does Shepherd realise he hasn't got a fucking leg to stand on btw? Let's take on the FA, FIFA and alienated our best player, eh? Especially when we haven't got a case. Genius. Of course it could all come to nowt. Meanwhile he's got his mush in the papers. Again.