Good for you but my judgement is not clouded either. I used to love Owen and was delighted that we'd gone from Rush to Fowler to another world class striker but I said at the time (not that I have any way of proving it to you) that Owen stopped giving his all for the team. I appreciate he had injury niggles that may have played on his mind but he stopped ducking under defenders arms and wrestling his way through to the ball and he stopped chasing balls that were heading out, on the off chance that he might get it and catch the defenders out. To my mind, he thought he'd made it and was a superstar. The hunger had gone.
Of course his goals contributed and I'm grateful for the contributions of any player that helped us to reach the CL but those circa 20 goals don't mean he was the same player we had on our hands before.
In some ways I felt he was a better all round player when he left...even though that explosive pace had gone. But 20 goals is a good contribution as it 158 goals in 297 games.
I disagree on the not giving his all part..but you are entitled to your opinion...and I respect it. I felt that Mcmanaman didnt give his all in his last 6 months..but for me Owen always gave 100% and to say he was fed on scraps most of the time would be being generous.
I will always be appreciative of his efforts while he was here...like I said...a good servant, a good professional and European footballer Of The Year...yeah...wasn't bad was he !!
If we had a player of his quality up front last season kenny would still be in a job. Goals pay the rent...and our strikers...sorry to say...for all the money they cost...don't contribute enough...thats why we dont win enough games.
But thats what makes the great strikers great...you can't teach it..you are born with it...Hunt had it..as did Rush, Fowler, Torres, Owen...all great strikers in their own right...and I would love to have any one of them in our current squad!
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