Liverpool FC Forum

by **stmichael** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:36 pm

just on the strikers, it seems bizzare how nando has gone from being classed as "the manager's favourite" to being the one who's been out in the cold in recent weeks. i think this in itself tells you that rafa wants to keep fowler here beyond the end of the season.

by **Igor Zidane** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:36 pm

Alfonso Alonso 2006 wrote:I dont see how fowler can earn a new contract if Rafa is keeping him mostly on the bench!

I'll bet he gets a 1 year deal, to keep the fans happy.

Once again crackin post , you get your opinion across so well.

by **kunilson** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:03 pm

think he should sign him, he's won't be too expensive and is good back-up. im sure he'll wanna play for liverpool any which way he can, and passion for scoring goals won't be a problem.

by **Ciggy** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:10 pm

Fowler sweats over Reds future Apr 3 2006

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

ROBBIE FOWLER admits he's still sweating on his prospects of securing an extension to his Liverpool deal, despite another landmark goal on Saturday.

Rafa Benitez won't decide on the future of the striker until the end of the season, but it's inconceivable Fowler won't be offered a further year at Anfield.

Benitez is clearly intending to keep the hitman as hungry as ever for the five remaining Premiership games.

He also knows there's no prospect of Fowler negotiating with any other club as his short-term deal comes to an end.
Fowler insists he's taking nothing for granted and is content to wait for the manager to reach a decision in his own time.

"It's a bit of a weird situation really because when most players have six weeks left of a season or contract they want their future sorted out," said Fowler today.

"I'm different because I really don't mind waiting until the end of the season. I just want to stay here. I just hope I get a positive answer when it comes.

"I've had no indication what the decision will be yet. I've known from the start this is just a short-term deal and the decision won't be taken lightly by the manager.

"He's obviously not made up his mind yet, or if he has he hasn't told me about it. All I can do is sit and wait. If he comes to me and says there is a new contract there, no-one will be happier than me.

"But until that day comes, I'm not going to be saying anything to him about it.

"In the games I've played since I came back I've been happy with my performances. I don't know if I still have anything left to prove to anyone.

"But it's not really for me to say if I've done enough. In an ideal world I'd love to have scored more goals, but I don't think I've let anyone down."

Fowler's strike against West Brom was his 173rd in 341 appearances for Liverpool, taking him past Kenny Dalglish in the Anfield record books.

"Nowadays the word legend is overused, but not in Kenny's case, so to get anywhere near Kenny Dalglish is fantastic. To surpass him by one goal means an awful lot to me," he said.

"It was a great feeling to get back on the scoresheet. I've been out of the side a bit lately, so to come back in and get a goal is as much as you can do.

"I have not managed a full game again, but I'm feeling a lot better now compared to when I re-joined.

"It would have been perfect if I could have played a part in some of the recent wins, but there are not going to be any

complaints from me. The side has played fantastic lately, we're scoring goals and if the team is winning, it's under-standable there are fewer changes.

"In the last few weeks there have been a lot of important games. Teams below us have been winning, but we've responded well.

"Our win against Everton was a huge victory for us, Saturday was a tough match and Bolton won't be easy next week."

GIVE THE LAD A CONTRACT RAFA

by **zarababe** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:38 pm

it's always difficult to read the Boss, and sentiments rarely cloud his judgement, but I think because of Robbie's scouse heart and the passion that comes with it which, in a dressing room largely of foreign based players, Benitez wants that feeling to stay.

The boss also rates him, while recognising his fitness problems, he has given chances where he values players; the likes of Kewell being an example. I think he should be OK

by **drummerphil** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:43 pm

I would like to see him given a two year contract,it can only be good for the club and player if his future is taken care of,thus enabling him to concentrate on his fitness and overall game.The lad is liverpool through and through and that passion,committment but most of all desire cant be bought.......Robbie overtook kenny in the goal scoring league on Saturday and imo.......deserves it........

by **onizukaeikichi** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:45 pm

please keep him, he has been clinical in front of goal for us so far

by **Igor Zidane** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:47 pm

The only way Rafa will not give Robbie a new contract is, if he's bringing in more than one new striker in the summer and they are better than Robbie. Otherwise i think he'll stick with 3 out of the 4 strikers and A N OTHER.

by **7_Kewell** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:50 pm

I’ve been mildly impressed with Fowler upon his return. Would I give him a 1-year contract? Yes, but only as a squad player. Fowler might get 8-10 goals a season, but I think Rafa wants to wait until he’s had a pre-season before offering him a contract. Will he wait? Will he be happy being a part player? Didn’t Houllier sell him because he wasn’t happy in that role before?

by **mighty mo** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:00 pm

Lando_Griffin wrote:I would keep him in a heartbeat.

The lad is still regaining fitness, and yet still has a sublime touch and brilliant finishing ability.

I'd offer him a 2-year contract with an option to extend it for another year.

totally agree with every word

by **48-1119859832** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:13 pm

7_Kewell wrote:I’ve been mildly impressed with Fowler upon his return. Would I give him a 1-year contract? Yes, but only as a squad player. Fowler might get 8-10 goals a season, but I think Rafa wants to wait until he’s had a pre-season before offering him a contract. Will he wait? Will he be happy being a part player? Didn’t Houllier sell him because he wasn’t happy in that role before?

That was then before all his injuries and this is now. Fowler isn't getting any younger and judging from his interviews and reports I've read he'd be more than happy to be a bit-part player just aslong as he is playing for Liverpool.

I think he'll be more than a bit part player myself, I can see him still getting twenty plus appearances a season. Will he mind? I doubt it.

by **taff** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:25 pm

I would hazzard a guess that Robbie would love to be the main striker again but is not in a position to put his weight about.

Rafa interviewed on the weekend about his future did not seem bothered about goals but whether he will fit in to the system. I would guess that also depends on who else might come in, and not neccessarily another striker but a winger perhaps.

We have some excellent choices in midfield and he might consider one main man up front so we can go wide on both flanks and combine Alonso, Gerrard and Sissoko.

I hope he gets a contract and think he will but I dont blame Rafa for keeping him on his toes and hungry.

And if he doesnt stay, as much as he is GOD = IN RAFA WE TRUST

by **ivor_the_injun** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:30 pm

I personally think both Robbie and Rafa are being first class about the whole situation.

Robbie is getting himself sorted off the pitch, and is making a huge contribution on it. In front of reporters, he's stating his desire to say in no uncertain terms, but at the same time he's making no threats, no demands and is placing no pressure on the boss. Spot on attitude - he knows that Rafa's done him a favour.

Rafa, on the other hand, IS putting pressure on Robbie, forcing him to make his case on the pitch and in training. He's biding his time, and all the while this is making Robbie hungrier and hungrier, and it shows in the way he's putting himself about on the pitch. Meanwhile Rafa can sit back and assess his options, and although everything's guesswork at this stage, we've all been watching the same matches, and at worst I'd say Robbie has been our second best striker since his arrival. I'd actually argue he's been the pick of our strikers in that time.

I don't think it's passed Rafa by that decisions haven't exactly gone Robbie's way, and if he had 5 goals to his name from 6 starts, it'd be hard for Rafa to keep him waiting for a deal. As it stands, he's got 2 goals to his name, and so I think Benitez is right to make him no promises at this stage.

Behind it all though, I think Robbie knows that he's acquitted himself well, and I think Rafa knows that the evidence on the pitch and the maths for the purposes of the balance sheet all point to a no-brainer. This is a guy that, before January, would have been happy to play 25 minutes every other game for free. I and others believe he's better than that, but just knowing that you have a quality player on your books with that sort of desire to play for a club, is going to do a job for you, and isn't going to break the bank...it's just a fantastic situation, for everyone concerned with the club.

If we're going to get rid of strikers come summer, a young French international with 15 goals to his name this year, and a Spanish international that should in theory have at least that many to his name both have decent resale value. I don't know their salaries, but I'm guessing we're talking at least £35k.

If Rafa doesn't offer him a new contract, Robbie Fowler will be a free agent, and removing him from our books will gain us no money to bring in new players.

My guess is that a new contract will be on the table in the next fortnight. I just can't imagine any reason at this point for Rafa to pass on him.

by **vlady16.1** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:03 pm

by taking robbie rafa put himself in a real weak position. if robbie does ok, rafa loses by cutting a legend -- now that robbie has shown that he is the class of our strikers this can only result in a contract -- if one isn't offered rafa will be villified -- as such it was/is fowlers to win or lose

but i'm glad he has looked so good -- if a footie imbecile like me can see it i'm sure rafa does

by **Bad Bob** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:53 pm

ivor_the_injun wrote:I personally think both Robbie and Rafa are being first class about the whole situation.

Robbie is getting himself sorted off the pitch, and is making a huge contribution on it. In front of reporters, he's stating his desire to say in no uncertain terms, but at the same time he's making no threats, no demands and is placing no pressure on the boss. Spot on attitude - he knows that Rafa's done him a favour.

Rafa, on the other hand, IS putting pressure on Robbie, forcing him to make his case on the pitch and in training. He's biding his time, and all the while this is making Robbie hungrier and hungrier, and it shows in the way he's putting himself about on the pitch. Meanwhile Rafa can sit back and assess his options, and although everything's guesswork at this stage, we've all been watching the same matches, and at worst I'd say Robbie has been our second best striker since his arrival. I'd actually argue he's been the pick of our strikers in that time.

I don't think it's passed Rafa by that decisions haven't exactly gone Robbie's way, and if he had 5 goals to his name from 6 starts, it'd be hard for Rafa to keep him waiting for a deal. As it stands, he's got 2 goals to his name, and so I think Benitez is right to make him no promises at this stage.

Behind it all though, I think Robbie knows that he's acquitted himself well, and I think Rafa knows that the evidence on the pitch and the maths for the purposes of the balance sheet all point to a no-brainer. This is a guy that, before January, would have been happy to play 25 minutes every other game for free. I and others believe he's better than that, but just knowing that you have a quality player on your books with that sort of desire to play for a club, is going to do a job for you, and isn't going to break the bank...it's just a fantastic situation, for everyone concerned with the club.

If we're going to get rid of strikers come summer, a young French international with 15 goals to his name this year, and a Spanish international that should in theory have at least that many to his name both have decent resale value. I don't know their salaries, but I'm guessing we're talking at least £35k.

If Rafa doesn't offer him a new contract, Robbie Fowler will be a free agent, and removing him from our books will gain us no money to bring in new players.

My guess is that a new contract will be on the table in the next fortnight. I just can't imagine any reason at this point for Rafa to pass on him.

Good post, mate!

As others have noted, Robbie is also as valuable in the locker room as he is on the pitch--if nothing else he can continue to remind his teammates what it means to pull on the shirt and give their all for the club.

I also suspect that Rafa rates Robbie's intelligence as highly as his finishing. Robbie's the kind of player that he can throw on late in a pivotal, tense game and be assured that he'll do what needs to be done--hold up the ball, run down the clock, track back, put a foot in, etc.

Moreover, Robbie's intelligence makes him adaptable--something that Benitez surely values given his propensity to change tactics from game to game or, on occasion, from half to half!

I've no doubt that the Gaffer recognizes Robbie's contributions to date and will offer him at least a one-year contract, regardless of how many other forwards he's trying to sign.

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Robbie fowler - 1 YEAR CONTRACT TO BE SIGNED NEXT WEEK

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