Liverpool FC Forum

[bigmick]

It's a given that we will keep Robbie on I would have thought. As it stands he is absolutely different to all our other strikers and it's unlikely we will be able to get anybody better to occupy the role of striker number three or four for next season. I'm assuming that Crouch will be retained as striker number two (I'm actually very surprised that some remain unconvinced by the big man) and am of the opinion that what we need is a real World-class number one striker. Nothing too revolutionary I know about that opinion but there it is anyhow.
As for Fowler, his worth was shown clearly yesterday. An otherwise mundane match decided with one piece of anticipation, movement and finishing prowess. It is my suspicion that had we have had him earlier in the season when Morientes was being played every single game without offering a goal threat, then it would be us and not Manchester United who would be on the coat-tails of the leaders.
Robbie in his present form is a perfect 20 start, 20 sub appearances in a season striker. What we must endeavour to do, is to find a Robbie Fowler of 7 or 8 years ago type to be your main man, your 25 goals a season player who elevates you into the very top echelons of European football. It is my hunch that if Gerrard could be persuaded to play wide-right, and if Gonzales proves to be as good reports would have you believe, then we are very close to a first eleven that could compete with the very best around. Fowler in his current form deserves a place in that squad at least, if not the first eleven.

[Judge]

robbie looked somewhat slimmer and a shade quicker on sunday. imo

which is good news for us

[Poolinc.]

yes judge, he did actually look fitter than I've seen him in years! Defo worth another 12 month extension!

[dawson99]

we HAVE to get him on the coaching staff afterwoods as well right?
hes looking better for us already than he did at city or leeds. u can tell when a footballer is playing for pride more than money, and we got fowler to show us that

[Ciggy]

I must say Im a bit worried about this whole situation and a lot will depend on who comes in the summer, and what happens with Pongolle and Mellor.
I personally think Morientes should go and Fowler must stay but there isnt room for two ageing strikers in our squad, Morientes would cost a fair bit if we have to pay him off unless some sort of deal can be made with a spanish club maybe a playerswap if Rafa has his eye on someone over there.

Robbie wont cost much to keep on as Leeds still have to pay half of his wages for another season.
Fowler would die for the club, he just loves it here we love him because he's come back , he's a scouser will get goals, nothing more to ask of him only that he can get fitter and he will if he wants a future at the club.

Its going to be one or the other though Im afraid but I know which one ticks all the right boxes and its not the good looking spaniard but the Toxteth terror

[pur3 rav3r]

robbie has to stay because he is a hero to fans and he is also a great striker that goal on sun was a very gd goal if u look at it he couldn't c the goal that well and still managed to put it in the corner. no question to me.

[RAFABENITEZ]

robbie has to stay because he is a hero to fans and he is also a great striker that goal on sun was a very gd goal if u look at it he couldn't c the goal that well and still managed to put it in the corner. no question to me.

[Fowler_E7]

fowlers deffo done enough to deserve a new contract, he looks a lot fitter and sharper now than when he rejoined in january. Having him around can help the other strikers and he is great for team and fans morale

[ivor_the_injun]

Goals, touch in and around the box, great workrate...

Next to no money...

Of all the no-brainers Rafa will ever have, this is the biggest.

2 year contract coming up for Rob in the next fortnight, I reckon.

[redsince2001]

he'll be making the biggest mistake of his mangerial carrier if he didnt sign robbie.....

[anti-hero]

I've read somewhere in the forum that we need a poacher not a striker.

(Something like that.)

Now that makes alot of sense cause that type of forward can steal games for the club.

Even though I'm hitting myself as I type this but van Horseface is a poacher and look at how many times the Scum have won games simply because he took a chance and finished it lethally.

Robbie is that type of striker and even though age may have played a factor in his recent performances he still possesses that killer eye for goal and the ruthless clinical finishing that so marked the trademark of a Robbie Fowler goal.

I hope he at the very least gets a one-year extension to his contract to show Rafa and those who have forgotten, the value of a proven Premiership goalscorer that this Liverpool team so desperately needs.

He may already have done so in the Bolton game.

I mean really, do you honestly think we would have won that match if Fowler wasnt playing?

It would have been a lousy draw until he came and hit one in from out of nowhere.

We stole that match and Robbie did so for us in agonizing fashion (viewed from a Bolton fan's standpoint.)

In terms we Yanks like to say.

"You got jacked, b'itch."

[SouthCoastShankly]

This morning...

BBC Sport

Bolton might make move for Fowler

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has revealed he is ready to swoop for Robbie Fowler this summer, if Liverpool release him.

Fowler, who scored the winner against Bolton on his 31st birthday on Sunday, is out of contract in July.

He has held preliminary talks with the Reds about a new deal and has admitted he is desperate to stay at Anfield.

But, with his future still unclear, Allardyce said: "You'd always think about a goalscorer like him, but it would depend on the big numbers."

However, he added: "If he keeps on scoring for Liverpool, they will want to keep him.

"One of their problems has been scoring, but their defence is the ultimate and it is what we are trying to achieve."

[Paul C]

From Teamtalk.com:

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Gary Speed thinks Robbie Fowler would be a great addition for Sam Allardyce's side.

Allardyce has already hinted he would like to bring the 31-year-old striker to The Reebok Stadium if Liverpool do not agree a new deal with the former Manchester City man.

Fowler made it 12 goals in 13 appearances against Bolton with a first half winner on Sunday at Anfield, but there is still the belief that he has not yet convinced Rafa Benitez to extend his second stint on Merseyside.

"He's a fantastic player and fantastic goalscorer," Speed told Sky Sports News. "If the ball falls in box, there's one player you want it to fall to, or in our case, wouldn't want it to fall to, and he stuck it away.

"Sam's record of getting the best out of his players is second to none. I can personally vouch for that and I'm sure Robbie would be a great addition here, if that was the case.

"But I'm sure, if you spoke to Robbie about that, he'd be hoping to stay at Liverpool."

Benitez is still to make his mind up over the former England international.

"It's not easy to find better players than Robbie," said Benitez. "And it's difficult to find anyone with the passion he has for this club.

"But maybe you could find three top-class strikers who are 23 years old, can score goals and have pace.

"Then you have to think.

"We need to know how he will play next season and what level his physical condition will allow him to play at."

Meanwhile, Speed is still targeting a European place with Bolton, despite the reverse at Anfield.

"We're very fit and very well prepared," he asserted. "It's just a few silly mistakes that are costing us goals at the moment.

"A couple of mistakes as individuals and as a team.

"Hopefully, we can kick on from now until the end of the season to try and catch a Uefa Cup place."



I don't know what to think about Rafa's comment's, he's not giving anything away at the moment.

[hawkmoon269]

Today's Mirror:

11 April 2006
NEW DEAL? FAT CHANCE, FOR ROBBIE, SAYS RAFA
By Darren Lewis

RUTHLESS Rafa Benitez has declared that Robbie Fowler's Liverpool career will be over in the summer - because he is not fit enough.

Fowler, who hit the winner in the Reds' 1-0 win over Bolton on Sunday, is praying that an end-ofseason goal glut will persuade Benitez to extend his current six-month deal.

But Benitez revealed yesterday that he is on the look-out for a younger, fitter and faster striker.

The Liverpool boss said: "It's not easy to find better players than Robbie. And it is difficult to find anyone with the passion he has for this club.

"But maybe you could find three top-class strikers who are 23 years old, can score goals and have pace. Then you have to think."

Benitez has now set Fowler a four-week deadline to reach peak condition and change his mind.

He has also left the hitman in no doubt that he will not be swayed by sentiment when deciding whether to extend the stay of Anfield's favourite son.

He added: "Robbie knows he needs to improve and in which areas. He understands the situation.

"He knows that we need to decide in maybe three weeks or a month. He need to continue to work hard, but we know he is a good finisher and a good player.

"But we need to know how he will play next season and what level his physical condition will allow him to play at."

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has admitted he would jump at the chance to sign Fowler.

But the striker has made no secret of the fact that he is desperate to stay at Liverpool and will do whatever it takes to reach Benitez's high standards.

Fowler moved back to Anfield in a surprise January switch from Manchester City.

His Sunday goal was his third in three starts and came on his 31st birthday.

Link to article

[Paul C]

Today's Mirror:

11 April 2006
NEW DEAL? FAT CHANCE, FOR ROBBIE, SAYS RAFA
By Darren Lewis

RUTHLESS Rafa Benitez has declared that Robbie Fowler's Liverpool career will be over in the summer - because he is not fit enough.

Fowler, who hit the winner in the Reds' 1-0 win over Bolton on Sunday, is praying that an end-ofseason goal glut will persuade Benitez to extend his current six-month deal.

But Benitez revealed yesterday that he is on the look-out for a younger, fitter and faster striker.

The Liverpool boss said: "It's not easy to find better players than Robbie. And it is difficult to find anyone with the passion he has for this club.

"But maybe you could find three top-class strikers who are 23 years old, can score goals and have pace. Then you have to think."

Benitez has now set Fowler a four-week deadline to reach peak condition and change his mind.

He has also left the hitman in no doubt that he will not be swayed by sentiment when deciding whether to extend the stay of Anfield's favourite son.

He added: "Robbie knows he needs to improve and in which areas. He understands the situation.

"He knows that we need to decide in maybe three weeks or a month. He need to continue to work hard, but we know he is a good finisher and a good player.

"But we need to know how he will play next season and what level his physical condition will allow him to play at."

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has admitted he would jump at the chance to sign Fowler.

But the striker has made no secret of the fact that he is desperate to stay at Liverpool and will do whatever it takes to reach Benitez's high standards.

Fowler moved back to Anfield in a surprise January switch from Manchester City.

His Sunday goal was his third in three starts and came on his 31st birthday.

Link to article

Sounds like The Mirror is twisting Rafa's words a little there