World Cup Nonsense

[El Gordo]

I agree with most of that (much more reasoned analysis than mine), but have to draw the line at Owen.

The guy scored that great goal against the Argies in 98 and has been living off the glory ever since. A fully fit Owen is a decent goal poacher, nothing more. Where are the match-winning, defence-splitting runs of yesteryear? Lost in the depths of his navel-gazing complacency. What he's really lost, and this governs these other qualities, is the hunger and desire of youth. It might sound crazy given that he's only 25 or 26 but compare him with Lennon and Rooney who aren't yet old enough to know that they can't do some of the stuff that they get away with. It's sad, but there you have it. He's not fit and he doesn't want it as much as he used to.

As one of the few people in the world to have seen Walcott play, I'd prefer Walcott to Owen. Again, he's a dynamo who just doesn't care about anything apart from scoring goals and getting back to his PlayStation.

At the very least, I'd put Owen on the bench for the Sweden match. It's just possible that this could bruise his pride enough to put the spark back in his game if he comes on later.

And I'm a Crouch fan. Won't hear a word against the big fella!