Will Owen go to the World Cup?

[KingoftheKop]

Just been reading a blog which predicts Capello will take Michael Owen to South Africa. Is it a) worth having a flutter on him being in the squad (sure you can get odds somewhere) and b) will he do anything over there if he does go?

[thesaint]

Definately worth a flutter in my opinion. When Owen is fit he's world class, there's no doubt about that in my opinion. I mean look last week against Wolfsburg. When was the last time you saw someone score a hat trick in the Champions League, away from home? There's not many players out there with the ability to do that, let alone english ones. He's played in Euro 2000, the 2002 world cup, Euro 2004 and the 06 World Cup (although he got injured in the group stages). Remember also that he's scored 40 in 89 games for England, which says to me he dosen't let the nerves get to him when he pulls on an England shirt. The question is can England afford to leave out a player with that sort of experience and quality?

[ONEDUNME]

No, because he'll be injured again by that time like the fucking lightweight cunt that he is.

[thesaint]

Aye but if he were to get injured at Man Utd he wouldn't need to be rushed back the same, as firstly he's on pay as you play, plus they have Rooney, Berbatov, Welbeck, Macheda to fill the role. The only reason he kept having problems at Newcastle is they kept rushing him back because their attacking options available were complete shite. The other one i rated for them was Viduka, even though he didn't have the pace anymore his creativity was class. Problem was he was injured aswell, probably more so than Owen!

[KingoftheKop]

Just been looking at the top scorers list and Owen doesn't even make an impact. Premier league football experts seem to think Defoe has what it takes to grab the number one spot and he certainly looks like being top English scorer. Hard to see what Owen would bring to the squad that Defoe wouldn't...

[kompressaur]

what about Beckham? You think he'll get to go? actually he's 1/4 to go. Owen 11/2 to get there

[MickeyPaul]

I wondered where this thread was. For some reason the World Cup forum hadn't occurred to me. I was saying this:

Can't remember where the thread is about betting on the England squad but reading the Birmingham report just now, sounds like Hart in goal has played another blinder. No other England goalie has performed as well as him so far this season, have they? What do you's reckon? He's at 1.61 with bet365 anyway.

Oh, just spotted a BBC blog on it too: BBC - BBC Sport: Phil McNulty: Hart deserves England chance

Crumbs. McLeish is being asked about it too tonight: BBC Sport - Football - We were not at our best - Alex McLeish

I need to think this one over. All thoughts welcome.

[slick]

Owen's got no chance , Beckham on the other hand stands every chance, should he have a good game against United when Milan play them in the next round of the Champs league, I'd say he's be a shoe in.

[MickeyPaul]

I've decided against backing Hart even though it's looking damn likely he'll be in. I just won't be able to handle the stress for so long and praying he doesn't get injured etc. Here's the latest anyway:

World Cup 2010 - England

Book Closes 13 Jun 15:00

Emile Heskey	1.16
Matthew Upson	1.16
Aaron Lennon	1.16
David James	1.16
Robert Green	1.20
David Beckham	1.20
Joleon Lescott	1.33
James Milner	1.33
Michael Carrick	1.33
Wayne Bridge	1.40
Peter Crouch	1.40
Joe Cole	1.50
Wes Brown	1.57
Joe Hart	1.61
Ben Foster	2.00
Shaun Wright-Phillips	2.00
Theo Walcott	2.10
Carlton Cole	2.25
Ashley Young	2.75
Paul Robinson	2.75
Stephen Warnock	3.00
Darren Bent	3.25
Gary Cahill	3.50
Owen Hargreaves	3.50
Gabriel Agbonlahor	3.50
Micah Richards	3.50
Stewart Downing	4.50
Michael Owen	5.00
Jermaine Jenas	5.00
Ryan Shawcross	13.00
Bobby Zamora	15.00
Sol Campbell	17.00

[MickeyPaul]

What about the Villa boys?

[deeloughran]

Wright Phillips looks a bit big at evens?
And Joe Cole should be a shoe in aslong as he isn't injured at 1/2!

Emile Heskey has had some money on him remember him to be in the squad in the racing post a few weeks back at about 1/2.

Milner was in the same write up and has had his price plummet from about 4/6 too!

Don't think Capello likes Agbonlahor he seems to always dump him in the U21s so wouldn't go near him.

Suppose Hargreaves if he's back anytime soon and United go on to win the league with him....?

[Kiko]

I was thinking Walcott just above evens here. Injuries hampered him this season but he is back now and he did hit that hat trick away to Croatia which I am sure will stick in Capellos mind. Personally I don't rate the cnut though

Villa players interesting ones but I think this may be a tournament too soon for them. Be interesting to see also if Villa maintain their form or go on a similar dip in form second half of this season as they did last season.

[bromsgrovegreen]

owen not a cat in hells chance,what about roger johnson as an outside bet?

[slick]

Of the outsiders out of that lot I'd say keep an eye of Micah Richards, ODM will be raising his eyebrows but now he's playing at centre back and gone back to basics he's looking good again, if he can manage to hold that spot in the City squad and keep putting in performances like he has done for the last few games he could easily nudge Upson or Brown out.

[MickeyPaul]

Roger Johnson should definitely be in there, broms. No fucker talking about him other than Birmingham fans, and me. He's been fantastic when I've seen him. Positioning always spot on, tackles always spot on - everything you'd want in a defender. He seems to rule the box and I reckon he and Hart are the main reasons why Brum are so difficult to beat this season. I'd love to see some stats on him actually as Birmingham spend quite long periods defending. He must be up there for blocks and tackles etc.