Michael Owen

[ankeny]

Or Heskey?Who would you take to SA?

[soggy biscuit]

right now, neither.

[Thomas L'Heureux]

My five strikers would probably be:

Wayne Rooney,
Jermaine Defoe,
Peter Crouch,
Carlton Cole,
Michael Owen (if he's fit and continues to score regularly for 'Utd of course).

[Arnie_Pie]

Defoe
Rooney
Bent
Agbonlahor
Cole

At this present time.

[gazzer, loyal royal]

wouldn't take Bent, just can't cut it at international level

i'd take

Defoe
Rooney
Crouch
Cole
Owen/Walcott-dependent on what one stays fit

Heskey misses out as Crouch and Cole offer the same thing just with more goals

[cmonurz]

The concept that Bent, CoLOLe or Agbonlahor are ahead of Owen if Owen is scoring goals is absolutely laughable. If Owen bags another 10 or so before the end of the season, and none of the above bang in 20, then Owen should go to the World Cup. On form he remains deadly.

[FORSTERS_RIGHT_FOOT]

Owen -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Heskey

Form is bollocks, form is temporary... Class though, is permanent.

[Wide and Wonderful]

The good thing about England at the moment is that we have a number of players who can score goals. Crouch has already scored nearly 20 goals for England, Rooney is Class, Defoe is brimming with confidence and having the season of his life.

But I really rate Michael Owen - Having seen him play a number of times, he is always busy, harrassing the back four, probing for an opening, making runs that aren't always picked up. His work rate is never picked up by the TV cameras.

However, my affection for his style of play may blinker whether he really is worth taking to the World Cup. He needs to be fit for another 40 games of United's season (although he may only play 20) and then play 7 games in the finals.

With Crouch, Rooney and Defoe available, I think this time round we CAN carry Owen as a back up/substitute as we won't be relying on him as our sole goal source should his injury flare up again - we won't be relying on him so much.

Will his plasticine knees hold up?

[Wizard]

At the moment I would take Owen to South Africa, no question. He is on fire.

[Kitsondinho]

This is my only worry prior to the WC. Fabio MUST take Owen as the fifth striker. He is proven at international level and just like Becks, he offers a real threat off the bench. To me, he is still one of the best strikers in the world. He is our best finisher bar none.....however, I can understand him not starting, but not being in the squad is madness.....

[Wide and Wonderful]

wouldn't take Bent, just can't cut it at international level

i'd take

Defoe
Rooney
Crouch
Cole
Owen/Walcott-dependent on what one stays fit

Heskey misses out as Crouch and Cole offer the same thing just with more goals

Walcott is a long way off being in my list at this moment in time. He still needs to develop at club level and is a little too inconsistent in his performances.

[Kitsondinho]

wouldn't take Bent, just can't cut it at international level

i'd take

Defoe
Rooney
Crouch
Cole
Owen/Walcott-dependent on what one stays fit

Heskey misses out as Crouch and Cole offer the same thing just with more goals

Walcott is a long way off being in my list at this moment in time. He still needs to develop at club level and is a little too inconsistent in his performances.

It is hard to be consistent when you are injured all the time!!

[Wide and Wonderful]

wouldn't take Bent, just can't cut it at international level

i'd take

Defoe
Rooney
Crouch
Cole
Owen/Walcott-dependent on what one stays fit

Heskey misses out as Crouch and Cole offer the same thing just with more goals

Walcott is a long way off being in my list at this moment in time. He still needs to develop at club level and is a little too inconsistent in his performances.

It is hard to be consistent when you are injured all the time!!

Fair enough. I must confess I do have an irrational dislike of Walcott. Despite his althleticism and pace, I still think he lacks a certain je ne c'est quoi. He doesn't particular excite me and seems a little lightweight - a bit powder puff. Istill don't think he's ready for regular competitive international football.

Just my opinion, like.

[Archie's penalty]

Great goals. I would take Owen.

[Southbank Old Boy]

Walcot will be in the squad as a winger not a centre forward so what he has to do with anything I dont know

Owen or Heskey is a daft question really as they would be in the squad for different reasons and a different job. A better question would be Heskey or Cole

My 5 would be

Rooney
Heskey
Defoe
Crouch
Owen

I think we might only go with 4 forwards though, but I do think 5 is the better way to go

[sheshnu]

My 5 would be

Rooney
Heskey
Defoe
Crouch
Owen

And mine.

Who the feck else is there? If you're taking Rooney you want Heskey, Crouch worries defences, and I'd take Owen to a World Cup ahead of anybody. Defoe can probably have 5th spot if he carries on banging them in this season, but none of those can replace Heskey so maybe Cole will get the nod.

Unless I'm missing someone obvious..? Bent?

[swansea jack]

Firstly, you've gotta go with the 5 strikers no matter the combination and going back to the complaints about taking Walcott in '06, I think the actual issue was that Jenas was taken instead of a 5th striker. If Owen is on form then he goes.

&Crouch ffs, just no. He hasn't scored any international goals against any quality opposition.

[prostak]

Few of the above respondents seem to understand the tactics employed by Capello, tactics which have enabled you to have this conversation in the first place. It would be quite strange to see these change drastically over the next 6 months. And Fabio doesn't seem the sort of coach to suddenly call up a player he's thus far ignored as soon as it gets serious.

[Archie's penalty]

Few of the above respondents seem to understand the tactics employed by Capello, tactics which have enabled you to have this conversation in the first place. It would be quite strange to see these change drastically over the next 6 months. And Fabio doesn't seem the sort of coach to suddenly call up a player he's thus far ignored as soon as it gets serious.

I understand but Owen really should be taken.

[swansea jack]

Few of the above respondents seem to understand the tactics employed by Capello, tactics which have enabled you to have this conversation in the first place. It would be quite strange to see these change drastically over the next 6 months. And Fabio doesn't seem the sort of coach to suddenly call up a player he's thus far ignored as soon as it gets serious.

He did something similar with Becks at Real. Wouldn't surprise me if he's been playing a few mind games with Owen, extended due to injuries, in order to make him earn his spot. Every squad has a surprise.