For me, that's not as bad as a Winson Bogarde, Hassan Kachloul, Wayne Bridge or even Habib Beye being quite happy to pick up their pay packet and not play at all, rather than someone who wants to feature in big games for a big club -even if it is only a bit part role.
Part of a squad is fine.If it's a player -like Owen- who accepts that he'll only play a bit part role.When you have a scenario that the above four faced - not playing at all, and they were/are quite happy to sit tight and pocket wages for zero games and zero contribution, that's a bit different. At some point you'd think personal pride would kick in. That, or the fear of waisting the best years of their career rotting in the reserves.
Hassan Kachloul was just about at his peak when he joined us. Bridge had just got into the England squad at Southampton and was in his mid 20's IIRC.
I would just think that a footballers career is so short that you'd want to pack as many memories and good experiences as possible. Sitting on a bench -or in the stands- when you could actively be involved and play a key role for another club would be a waste of that time.
Don't really have an issue with any of that.
I'd say that some footballers love playing and being the very best that they can, the prime example is David Beckham.At the other end of the spectrum you get some who really are just in it for the money and will do just enough to maintain their life style, see Stephen Ireland.Edit: That's probably not much different from most jobs.
Quote from: villa1 on February 21, 2011, 09:49:23 PMI'd be more than happy to sit on Utd's bench, no matter how much I hated football, and pick up a fortune.But if you had as much talent as Owen surely you'd want to playWhen he's older and his career is over, I'm sure he'll look back and regret he missed so many games
I'd be more than happy to sit on Utd's bench, no matter how much I hated football, and pick up a fortune.
They knew each other because they were both at Scarborough together - my mate was in the team that went up to the then Div4,