Memo to Steve McLaren: Save Owen, Bring Back the Heroes

We can second-guess Steve McLaren all we want, but his decision to activate Michael Owen caught me completely by surprise.

Why recall an injured player so quickly? What good can come of it?

If I were McLaren, I would put Owen's well-being above the good of the team.

Owen is a special case—always has been, always be. His talent outstrips that of the younger, more arrogant English strikers, and his long-term health is more important than his short-term production.

Every player needs time to rehabilitate after any injury—as emphasised by Owen's low profile in club football over the last two years. Owen's natural grace makes it easy to forget his history of health woes—but that doesn't mean he couldn't use a little more recovery time.

It can't hurt him, after all. But will it hurt England?

No, it won't. Not one little bit.

Yes, Owen is the national team's best striker, but there are plenty of youngsters chomping at the bit for playing time.

Jermain Defoe, Andrew Johnson, and Darren Bent are all quality players, even if they've had frustrating starts to the season. Johnson has a nose for the goal, Defoe is a natural finisher, and Bent is a great runner who excels off the long ball.

My suggestion, therefore, is this: 3-4-3.

What! Not 4-4-2?

Precisely.

Add another factor to the equation: young Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United stalwart. I see three up front, with Rooney playing just behind the front two, making the runs and crosses he's known for at United.

It can work.

The only question is whether McLaren has the guts to try it.

This could be just the sort of gamble that pushes England into the next stage—add a decent midfield, with Steven Gerrard playing up to par, and suddenly England look threatening in attack.

Remember, a football match is won by the side that score the most goals. England are very lucky to have such an attacking-dominated talent pool, and McLaren must make the most of it.

Otherwise, we go back to relying on what I call the "Portuguese Tour Bus" style of illicit defending and lucky breaks...with even luckier goals.

In other words, England needs Heroes who are willing to attack, to press, to try to score. Short of that, they're merely a group of tourists, on a bus, defending their right to play from behind the window.

That's defensive football for you.

Save Owen, and bring back the Heroes. It can't hurt to try.