Michael Owen: I could have played more games for Stoke City
STOKE striker Michael Owen insists he has been fit and available for more matches than the public realise during his one and only season in the Potteries.
The former England striker, who has only appeared seven time for Stoke, also says he took the decision to quit the game nearly three months ago.
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Stoke City striker Michael Owen.
Writing on his blog this evening, Owen says: "I had come to the decision before Christmas that this would be my final season in professional football although that wasn't quite the plan at the outset.
"I had signed for Stoke with every intention of playing more football than I had in recent seasons. For whatever reason, it hasn't transpired.
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"Yes, I've had a couple of small muscle injuries but it would be wrong to blame my lack of action on fitness. I have been available for a higher percentage of games this season than in my previous two.
"It just hasn't happened and the simple fact is, it is either the manager's opinion that I am not good enough to get into the team or that I don't fit into the system that we adopt.
"That is an opinion that I accepted a long time ago and that has obviously contributed to the timing of my announcement. It is also an opinion that I totally respect."
Owen admitted he and his family were extremely emotional on Tuesday after announcing he would retire at the end of the season.
He also discloses that his future plans will, apart from a media career, also include the creation of Michael Owen Management Limited to help guide young players through the pitfalls of a professional career.
Looking back on his own career, the 33 year-old striker says he was almost too quick when he was a youngster and that contributed to the injury problems preventing more games and more scoring records.
But there are no regrets, he says, and casting an eye back on his famous goal for England against Argentina, he adds: "It has been the best journey I could ever have wished for.
"I take pride in the fact that I have given people so much pleasure over the years. I retire in the knowledge that everybody knows where they were when 'That Goal' nestled into the top corner of the Argentinian's net!"
55 Comments
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by Pottersruleok
Sunday, March 24 2013, 9:33PM
“wow, defjam is back from the sentinel clink. One would think he would have had time to ponder his insults, but yikes, he comes back and jumps right in with his mind numbing chatter.”
by NOONESHOME
Sunday, March 24 2013, 8:48PM
“I see Defjam is back from spending all his bankers bonus's,Straight into the name calling. Have a think about what you post mate, try to stick to the topic ,It has been pretty good of late, with a lot of light hearted banter,even between the big dissenters.Lets keep it that way.”
by CptFurious
Saturday, March 23 2013, 6:53PM
“Okay the nazi thing may have sounded bad, I don't think I explained it fully. I was actually trying to compare certain fans to the German's who went along with the regime as opposed to the actual Nazi's who thought up the atrocities. A defence of 'Nazi' soldiers post war was to claim that they were merely 'following orders'. I was by no means trying to call fellow fans Nazis. Just a metaphor gone wrong. Apologies.”
by Davejjohnson
Saturday, March 23 2013, 6:45PM
“You are such a liar Pottyrules, had you really been at the WBA game you would not come out with such rubbish that only 200 people were singing TP's name. Someone asked you what the half time entertainment at the Britt was and you took the trouble to spew out half a dozen reasons why you didn't know. Anyone who goes to games would know and would have answered.”
by LiamOSullivan
Saturday, March 23 2013, 5:12PM
“My "crime" with you is diagreeing with your opinion, soccerok. I have certainly never used words like you and Furious do. Borders at this site are pretty wide but there's a line you can't cross, but you wouldn't know about this, guess that's why you have been banned so many times, although you always deny.”
by defjamrcs
Saturday, March 23 2013, 5:09PM
“I see it's just pottertool and his band of fools, fake stokies and sad sad Vale supporters still dominating this forum.
Yawwwwwwn”
by defjamrcs
Saturday, March 23 2013, 5:09PM
“I see it's just pottertool and his band of fools, fake stokies and sad sad Vale supporters still dominating this forum.
Yawwwwwwn”
by ex_nhs
Saturday, March 23 2013, 4:50PM
“I just wish Pulis would go and sit in the stands for a few matches so the players can make their own minds up what to do with the ball instead of hearing his constant bawling from the touchline. Then perhaps Ryan could really captain the side and the team might not be so scared of playing forward.”
by Pottersruleok
Saturday, March 23 2013, 3:48PM
“One of the hall of fame abusers, Sullivan lecturing someone else about name calling. Not surprising really, those people want it all to themselves”
by LiamOSullivan
Saturday, March 23 2013, 3:17PM
“No one is 100% uncritical of Stoke. Not even Johnson, Stripes or Wintertime. They have all raised their voices against one aspect or the other. Trouble is with one track minded persons you are either 100% against or for. Dont brand your fellow supporters as "nazis". People have been banned from this site for less and I hope you are too.”