Has Kinnear Lost It?
By Nu Mad
Updated Tuesday, 18th November 2008
Can someone please explain to me how the hell Joe Kinnear can pick Shola Ameobi ahead of Michael Owen ... then tell Fabio Capello he is WRONG for not including Owen in his England squad?
The interim manager says he understands Michael Owen's frustration.
Meanwhile the ex-Real Madrid striker had a dig at the Toon boss in his match programme notes on Saturday saying he was "fully fit", regardless what excuses Kinnear had given for not playing him.
Kinnear (talking to The Sun) believes tomorrow night's friendly with Germany would have been a perfect chance for the striker to get another cap.
Kinnear: "I feel for him because of the situation he finds himself both for club and country.
"But he answered all this by scoring for us. For what it's worth, in my opinion he should be in the England squad. That's my honest opinion.
"He is a precious commodity. We are not trying to rein him in. But he has got to go slowly, slowly.
"He is one of the best players in the world and I am going carefully, carefully with him."
So how will an England appearance help his Newcastle career if he is not 100% fit?
Owen has lost almost TWO SEASONS worth of Newcastle games because of injuries picked up playing for England when not - allegedly - 100% fit!
