Stoke City: Defiant Michael Owen hits back at critics
MICHAEL Owen has limbered up for Sunday's return trip to Liverpool by blasting those who claim he has lost his passion for the game.
The new Stoke recruit says such allegations are a slur on his character because his outside interests – such as his racing stables – are simply an attempt to prepare for life after football.
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Michael Owen
The 32 year-old England striker argues in an article on his website: "People evolve. Long gone are the days when I had little else in my life other than football.
"I'm now happily married and have the small task of bringing up four children.
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"I part own a physiotherapy business and a racing stables among other interests, while employing over 50 people in the process.
"Inevitably, taking on these responsibilities requires a certain amount of time and effort, but does that necessarily mean I have taken my eye off the ball when it comes to plying my trade? Absolutely not!"
Owen continued: "So, why did I get the urge to justify my actions? Because it feels like a slur on my character and integrity to hear people questioning my desire.
"Nature has dictated I am no longer the player I once was. It's got nothing to do with dedication, hunger or desire.
"Due to the nature of my injuries I have had to re-invent myself and the way I play. No longer can I sprint 100 times in a game at lightning speed, and as a result I have had to adapt.
"But, you know what? I believe my greatest achievement is to still be playing at the highest level after all the injuries I've suffered."
And in a message to Stoke fans, he adds: "They say that good things come to those who wait. In my case, that was certainly true this summer when, after months of waiting, I finally put pen to paper confirming myself as a Stoke City player.
"Tony Pulis had shown an interest in me before I signed for Manchester United and despite having to wait three years, his desire to sign me never wavered.
"There are not many better feelings in life than to feel wanted and I have been made to feel that way by the manager, the players and the fans ever since I arrived.
"When the time comes to hang up my boots I won't be sitting around wondering what to do next, but until then I am as hungry as I've ever been to succeed in the game."
Comments
by LiamOSullivan
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 10:04AM
“A player's task or position is hardly defined by what a static website may state. Ol' soccerfoot himself has often pointed out that Jon gets to play on the wing or even as an auxiliary defender. Now we see Peterpotter disagreeing with soccerfoot...now why doesnt that surprise?”
by alexbarmy
Monday, October 08 2012, 7:57AM
“semis - do you really believ Michael Owen gets paid nothing if he doesn't play?
Try £25k per week, with an extra £50k for every match started. Gets £25k for a substitute appearance.”
by jpj_58
Monday, October 08 2012, 3:46AM
“What a surprise, Michael Owen, injured in training
and could n't even make the bench, so far since he
signed for Stoke, he has played around 30 minutes in 2 games.
So much for Crouch/Owen partnership.
I am also at a loss to understand why Kightly is in the team
ahead of Etherington and Pennant and
I wonder why no-one from Radio Stoke asks Mr Pulis
why is Pennant never in the team or on the bench.”
by semis
Monday, October 08 2012, 2:51AM
“Pay as you Play.
What have we got to lose. I have always maintained if you are a goal scorer....you can do it all your life. Take as an example, Sir Stan, he helped gain us promotion at 46. So Michael Owen is a youngster in comparison.”
by Potterspeil
Sunday, October 07 2012, 10:58PM
“by PeterPotter
Saturday, October 6 2012, 7:12PM
.
"they do get touchy when you show them proof not the fantacy they prefer don't they? Oh yes boothern it's BOOTHEN and the v is net to the B but you didnt spell it voothen did you ?
......can't type. hee hee
Is it 'fantacy' or 'fantasy' then Peter Perfect, or did you mean to say 'next' rather than 'net'?”
by boothernender
Sunday, October 07 2012, 10:36PM
“For some strange reason my Virgin TV package includes Liverpool FC's own TV channel. Normally I never bother with it but there was a half hour program showing the best of Peter Crouch's goals for the scousers so I watched it. He scored some amazing goals for them with quite a few set up by Pennant. If only Pennant would concentrate on football it's a combination that could do really well for Stoke.”
by boothernender
Sunday, October 07 2012, 10:26PM
“I know Cameron is our right back Latthink but who's this Milliband ? It's not Boovern it's Boothern, I mean Boothen, err I mean Dave. And it's not EVA it's PeterPotter, err I mean Soccerfoot. Confusing innit Frank. Who's Frank ?”
by Pottedrengen
Sunday, October 07 2012, 7:40PM
“A striker scores goals, right?
So of course Walters is not a striker.”
by VantaaVale
Sunday, October 07 2012, 6:19PM
“Vale fan in peace here.
Owen was not in the squad for the Liverpool match and according to the report was injured. How is that possible? Did he get injured in a reserve game? Or is this the start of things to come?
My opinion before Stoke signed him (stated on this website) was that he would be a waste of a squad place. I stand by that. He's living on past achievements, mainly when he was very young, and I'm not sure Stoke's more physical style of play will suit him at all. It's more likely to book him even more time on the treatment table.”
by PeterPotter
Sunday, October 07 2012, 5:12PM
“I wonder if those with no ambition on here and that seem to love draw after draw after draw, ever dream or wonder just how good a team we could actually be if we just had a clue what to do with the ball when we get the ball close to the opponents penalty area ! How good are Begovic and our back 4, even the midfielders defending ? in 2 words VERY GOOD! But, what in the world happens when we reach the opponents penalty area? We panic, we lose control, we look like amateurs,we can't pass, we have no ideas beyond sending it toward Crouch, we can't (don't) shoot, nothing !
We have the talent to get it to the area now, but it comes to a dead stop there. So what is it, Pulis and his tactics or the players and their execution ?”