Liverpool FC Forum

[Dundalk]

You'd never believe that football is a game which is all about opinions. It's time we all appreciated and respected the fact that somebody is allowed to have one which is different from our own guys. Nobody knows for certain how Fowler would perform in a Liverpool team of today. We can all make an educated guess based on our own perceptions, but nobody really knows. If anybody disagrees with my opinion, or indeed anybody else's opinion, it doesn't necessarily mean they are clueless. If Rafa signs him (which let's be honest isn't going to happen) then we can hold our breath and some of us will be proven correct, and some of us will be wrong. It's time to move on though, Liverpool fans shouldn't be falling out over daft stuff.

Agreed, Rafa is not going to sign him. It is a nice idea for him to come back and start scoring like there is no tomorrow bit it isnt going to happen as much as we would like it to happen.

Robbie is a legend for his goalscoring and his bad boy antics but its about time we put this to bed. When he played for us he was something special but has he ever recreated that since he left. No.

Thanks for the memories Robbie and there was lots of them, lots. But time moves on and Liverpool the team has moved on, he would not fit in now to Rafas plans.

If Cisse is to move on then we will need another stricker but it will not be Fowler, if we get someone who is simaler to him when he was 23 then we will be blessed.

At the moment in all the English leagues I cant see anyone who will come close to his goalscoring abilites (lets hope it isnt Walcott)

Robbie you are a legend but legends should stay in the past....sorry

[66-1112520797]

In my opinion Fowler doesnt look the shade of the player he was back in his Liverpool days, and hasnt for a few seasons now. He still is a good player but for whatever reason he just does not look the same, I would guess its something to do with his fitness. But for Fowler too prove me wrong he will have to score a few more goals and play a lot more games ( I would love him to ) but we cant just knee jerk on a player after scoring a few goals and claim him to be back to his best, even if he is Robbie Fowler.

[begintoend]

After reading all the arguments, I understand all your points. Everyone knows Fowler now isn't the Fowler than. But hey, who doesn't age. Age is the enemy of a footballer's career, come injuries and than team adjustment.

For those who dun rate Fowler is because they do not recognise the current abilities and disregard it because of age(stamina) and past injuries. For me he is only 70% of the past Fowler, taking away the lack of games and injuries he had suffered. But as a striker based on abilities: technical, tactical awareness and finishing, few englishmen come closer. Rooney, Shearer and maybe Defoe.

Fowler is a great player and such a joy to watch everytime. On the bench in City made him realise what service he couldn't get as a player and improve with teamplay himself. His role in the game with city is different from the days of LFC when he gets good service. Now he drops back deeper to support other attackers but given the chance to finish, Fowler is still tops at it. Its a fact! Given the chance to come back to LFC, knowing that might be far-fetch, Fowler will definitely bang in the goals. Not like those 30 a season but 1 in 2games will not be a problem at all.

Currently only a handful of strikers in the world have an amazing stats. Sheva, Luca Toni and Eto'o. Fowler can't be like them as he isn't 100% matchfit. But I am sure footballers everywhere will know of his ability to kill off a chance if they had played with him. Fowler's striker's instinct has never left him. The one true attribute that many thought was gone, why? Because all you nuts thought the injuries took them away.

Fowler will always be a great LFC hero to me, behind only to Daglish and Rush, but in front of many others. LFC is a breeding ground for great players and legends. But know this, Fowler still has loads to offer because of his inmense technical ability.

[dawson99]

we cant live on the past. we need to look to the future. fowler was genius for us. the important word ehre being 'was'. we cant bring back rush or barnes either. leave the past where it belongs, in or memories of his class

[AwiLas]

He's good a player but he's ageing.. Thanks but no thanks.. Cheers..

[Ace Ventura]

In my opinion Fowler doesnt look the shade of the player he was back in his Liverpool days, and hasnt for a few seasons now. He still is a good player but for whatever reason he just does not look the same, I would guess its something to do with his fitness. But for Fowler too prove me wrong he will have to score a few more goals and play a lot more games ( I would love him to ) but we cant just knee jerk on a player after scoring a few goals and claim him to be back to his best, even if he is Robbie Fowler.

Sorry to quote you Bamaga man, just wanted to raise a point.
I dont think ANYONE expects Robbie to be at the level he was in his heyday, injuries and a couple of bad moves have put paid to that.
But i dont think there is any doubt he still has so much ability and imo so much to offer.
I may seem fickle basing this on a hat-trick against a lower league side and a cameo against a ten men side.
And admittedly only about a month ago i said i would be surprised if he was still playing top flight football next season, that feeling was because i had not seen him play at all this season, he was not getting a look in at a mid table Man city side and was behind BWP in the pecking order.
His goals against Scunthorpe showed he still has the ability to see a situation before the defender or goal keeper can, and his accuracy is second to none.
His 15 minute cameo against united convince me he could do that sort of job for us, his heart would be in it more as bigmick said it would raise the roof at Anfield every time he even warmed up, not wanting to compare with the lumbering scot accross the park, but Ferguson has that sort of impact for the blues and if Robbie was back at Liverpool he could be used in a similar way.
He was so clever at holding the ball up against united, playing the time down and bringing the midfield into play...that is exacrly how rafa likes his strikers to play.
There was a moment in the last 5 minutes when Silvestre miscontrolled and Fowler took the ball, as the frenchman tried to recover he dived in and robbie dinked it over him and played a lovely delicate ball over another united defender putting sinclair one on one, Van der sar saved, but i that moment i was convinced the awareness and touch looked like it was still there.
His goal was a bonus.
IMHO he definately could still do a big job for LFC and would be an inspired signing that would lift everyone at the club.
The likes of Cisse and Pongolle could learn alot from him as well.

[115-1073096938]

In my opinion Fowler doesnt look the shade of the player he was back in his Liverpool days, and hasnt for a few seasons now. He still is a good player but for whatever reason he just does not look the same, I would guess its something to do with his fitness. But for Fowler too prove me wrong he will have to score a few more goals and play a lot more games ( I would love him to ) but we cant just knee jerk on a player after scoring a few goals and claim him to be back to his best, even if he is Robbie Fowler.

Sorry to quote you Bamaga man, just wanted to raise a point.
I dont think ANYONE expects Robbie to be at the level he was in his heyday, injuries and a couple of bad moves have put paid to that.
But i dont think there is any doubt he still has so much ability and imo so much to offer.
I may seem fickle basing this on a hat-trick against a lower league side and a cameo against a ten men side.
And admittedly only about a month ago i said i would be surprised if he was still playing top flight football next season, that feeling was because i had not seen him play at all this season, he was not getting a look in at a mid table Man city side and was behind BWP in the pecking order.
His goals against Scunthorpe showed he still has the ability to see a situation before the defender or goal keeper can, and his accuracy is second to none.
His 15 minute cameo against united convince me he could do that sort of job for us, his heart would be in it more as bigmick said it would raise the roof at Anfield every time he even warmed up, not wanting to compare with the lumbering scot accross the park, but Ferguson has that sort of impact for the blues and if Robbie was back at Liverpool he could be used in a similar way.
He was so clever at holding the ball up against united, playing the time down and bringing the midfield into play...that is exacrly how rafa likes his strikers to play.
There was a moment in the last 5 minutes when Silvestre miscontrolled and Fowler took the ball, as the frenchman tried to recover he dived in and robbie dinked it over him and played a lovely delicate ball over another united defender putting sinclair one on one, Van der sar saved, but i that moment i was convinced the awareness and touch looked like it was still there.
His goal was a bonus.
IMHO he definately could still do a big job for LFC and would be an inspired signing that would lift everyone at the club.
The likes of Cisse and Pongolle could learn alot from him as well.

Har har har, you're so funny and so wrong, i believe Norwich didn't want him even though he desperately wanted to go there and it was nothing to do with wages, if Norwich didn't want him and City aren't going to renew his contract. That confirms he's rubbish and can't kick a ball.

Everyone knows you lose technical ability and thinking speed and become less aware and appriciative of players around you when you've had an injury. It completely removes football intelligence aswell. Everyone knows that. At 30 aswell he's so far past his peak or 27-28 that its unreal. I mean he's 30 and has fantastic ability, he lacks a bit of pace and fitness though so he's a definate no go.

Also it doesn't matter what system he plays in. He should score 30 goals a season or he's not worth a carrot. It doesn't matter if he doesn't get chances and is played in a team that defends deep and relies on strikers to play with there back to goal and use pace. If he was good enough he'd develop lightening pace and superb strength.

Remember, if Norwich and City don't want him he mustn't be able to offer anything.

[dawson99]

oh stu, u were making sucha  good point there, then u mention the magic 30 goals a season rubbish. the days of that are long gone. i admit tho he is past it, but every striker should get 30 a season? you're twistnig my melons man

[115-1073096938]

Sorry Dawson didn't mean to [I]step on[I] you again!

[fowler4ever]

there are some very knowlegable people on this board so dont slate me and please forgive of this has already been addressed, but I'm sure I read somewhere that there is an fee and not a small fee to be made to leeds if Fowler is to start 2 more premiership games before the end of the 2005/2006 season before he is a free agent, could someone please clarify.

it could be a valid reason for not starting him and bringing him on as a sub, it may be a load of tosh but as we know Man city are strapped for cash

your constuctive thoughts please

[Ciggy]

there are some very knowlegable people on this board so dont slate me and please forgive of this has already been addressed, but I'm sure I read somewhere that there is an fee and not a small fee to be made to leeds if Fowler is to start 2 more premiership games before the end of the 2005/2006 season before he is a free agent, could someone please clarify.

it could be a valid reason for not starting him and bringing him on as a sub, it may be a load of tosh but as we know Man city are strapped for cash

your constuctive thoughts please

Think that clause already came in to effect, City had to pay Leeds an additional 750.000 for so many appearences, but I think its paid now.
But if he signs a contract extension for City he will have to take a considerable pay cut.
Should'nt be a problem considering he is the second richest player in England.

[JBG]

The main problem with Robbie is a lack of motivation. Thats really the height of it. He's had his injuries but that shouldn't really stop him. Tony Cottee and Clive Allen had their injuries but rediscovered an appetite for the game in their early 30s and went on to have a number of fantastic seasons. In fact, when Cottee was at Leicester, at the ripe old age of 34, he was one of the best 3 or 4 players in the league (on form) in 1998 (or whatever season it was).

There is absolutely nothing stopping Robbie from doing the same except Robbie himself. He has earned his money and is financially secure for the rest of his life. He is not coaching nor management material. In a few years time he'll be hanging about in his mansion, bored, because he's out of football.

If he gets his head right he could have anything from 4 to 6 seasons left in him. He should try to enjoy himself, score more goals and maybe win a few more medals. However, to do this he needs to accept a drop in wages and knuckle down on the training ground. The ability is there, all he needs to do is keep sharp.

Is the hunger there? So far, I haven't seen it.

[ivor_the_injun]

On the contrary, anyone that saw him on the pitch against Man U last week could see very clearly that he was more than motivated. He was absolutely determined to put a goal past them, and his five finger salute when he did was absolutely priceless.

I think people are getting too hung up about the player he used to be. Fine, he's not 20 any more - we get that. He's definitely a more mature person, he's got a point to prove to himself, and he's no longer just a goal poacher. He's had to develop his game to factor in the ravages of excess and age, and I think he's done that very well.

For me, there are definitely parallels between Rob now and the sort of game that Sheringham had up until a year or two ago - he's always had excellent touch, he's intelligent with the ball at his feet, and he's got an absolutely deadly short passing game in and around the area. Okay, he's not the height to be the same sort of aerial threat and he's not as good at holding up the ball, but with work on the physical side it's the kind of game that he can carry on playing through to his late thirties, as it's just not all that reliant on pace. He's got enough nous to buy himself a yard, and I think wherever he ends up after this season will have a player that will do a job for them for a good few years. And for pretty much no money.

[7_Kewell]

The main problem with Robbie is a lack of motivation. Thats really the height of it. He's had his injuries but that shouldn't really stop him. Tony Cottee and Clive Allen had their injuries but rediscovered an appetite for the game in their early 30s and went on to have a number of fantastic seasons. In fact, when Cottee was at Leicester, at the ripe old age of 34, he was one of the best 3 or 4 players in the league (on form) in 1998 (or whatever season it was).

There is absolutely nothing stopping Robbie from doing the same except Robbie himself. He has earned his money and is financially secure for the rest of his life. He is not coaching nor management material. In a few years time he'll be hanging about in his mansion, bored, because he's out of football.

If he gets his head right he could have anything from 4 to 6 seasons left in him. He should try to enjoy himself, score more goals and maybe win a few more medals. However, to do this he needs to accept a drop in wages and knuckle down on the training ground. The ability is there, all he needs to do is keep sharp.

Is the hunger there? So far, I haven't seen it.

thats the same for me JBG.  For me, Robbie is similar to Mcmanaman and, just like him, i think retirement will come a lot sooner that it should. 

I think Fowler is more interested in his race horses than his football and I doubt that goes down well with a workhorse (see the pun  ) manager like Pearce.  Pearce went on til he was 38-39 because he worked hard and gave 100% effort from his heart.....something i've not seen from Fowler in many a year.

[115-1073096938]

How often do you watch him? How well do you know the lad?

You're speculating on his feelings and life. I'm not on about that, i'm on about his ability. I doubt he would lack motivation if someone said you have a chance to play for LFC again... The balls in your court!