Liverpool FC Forum

[bigmick]

Given the performance or lack thereof of Cisse and Morientes the other night I'd start with Fowler on Wednesday. Our front two were absolutely dreadful, contributed nothing and Toderov was the most effective striker on view when he came on. Cisse continues to baffle (in his youth, why oh why didn't someone pull him to one side and explain even the basic rudiments of the game?) and Morientes, well what can you say? I haven't rated the Spaniard for us since the very outset but I thought that even by his own standards, on Sunday he was awful. Bring on Fowler.

If I may be so bold, having been away for a week with t0he wife and kids I'm going to give my opinion on a few of the threads in one hit.
Robbie Fowler. There has to be a special mention for Ivor the Injun here. He flagged up the possibility last season during the window and got laughed off by all and sundry (including me I think) but stuck to his guns through thin and thin. Stu trumpeted the possibility for a couple of weeks and many disagreed and fair play to him for that. As a footnote, Kewell 7 strongly disagreed and I hope he doesn't feel bad about Fowlers arrival, he may still be proven correct as only time will tell. He is a good poster and I hope he sticks around. I think it's great news. I'm sure Rafa has a bench role in mind for God but so poor are his other strikers that Fowler may be a regular starter before long.
Kromkamp looks like a good player to me. He also looks a bit girly and is going to need to toughen up. Good defensive header though yesterday and my notion is that he's a good player who will get better.
Sissoko needs a break. His level of performance is gradually deteriorating and he will get sent off soon in an important game. I think he will make an absolutely fantastic midfielder, but he is twenty and needs a break.
Gerrard looks miserable but he always does, Cisse should be tried on the right and Agger needs to get fit so we can all have a look at him.
Last one, now we can all watch Dean Ashto and see if Phil and Stu are right. Did we miss out? My feeling is not but we will see.
Glad to see the forum is still looking good and that Lynds still has an inside track on what's going on.

[woof woof !]

Surely Rafa will allow Fowler to feature at some point in the game . Whether he decides to start with him is debatable .His current level of match fitness will be the deciding factor .Would be great to see him in the starting eleven bit I'm inclined to think he'll come on as a late sub (if at all, you never know with Rafa )

[Archetype]

Rafa might surprise us all again & go for Fowler in the startin' 11. But i doubt it, he'll be on as a sub in like the 70th min maybe?

[thegreedo]

The initial temptation is undoubtedly to go with Fowler but I think it could be too soon for him to start. I think he should however command a place on the bench. I agree momo needs a rest when you get through the level of work per game he does it must be a strain (is he not nearing a suspention yet anyway, he was booked again on sunday), perhaps I'd bring didi in on wednesday. Ialso think Sami has looked a little tired lateley, so if he's fit I'd give Agger a run out. And on the subject of Kromkamp Mick, I'm pretty sure Carra will be having a quiet word in his ear at training about that dive and the need to toughen up in the prem.

[Judge]

i posted a written text in ciggys thread the prodigal son, that references fowler and wednesdays game

[Judge]

ah, here it is (pasted from the other thread)



Rafa ready to turn to Robbie
(press release monday 30/1/06)

Rafael Benitez has hinted that Robbie Fowler will feature for Liverpool against Birmingham on Wednesday after admitting he will be a "big asset" for the Reds.

The Reds manager watched strikers Djibril Cisse and Fernando Morientes turn in a largely ineffective display against Portsmouth as the Reds reached the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-1 success at Fratton Park.

Steven Gerrard's 36th-minute penalty was sharp enough and John Arne Riise's strike an absolute peach four minutes later.

But Morientes and Cisse rarely got into the act and Peter Crouch and Harry Kewell did not appear from the bench until the closing stages.

Benitez said of Fowler, who rejoined the Reds on Friday: "He is a first-class finisher with so much passion for the club and now we just have to see how fit he is to decide whether he plays against Birmingham.

"He is going to be a big asset for us. I know he is glad to have signed and has taught me a new English phrase about being over the moon."

Benitez, whose players were derided after they went out to Burnley in the third round last year and emotionally drained after they came from 3-1 down to beat Luton last time out in the FA Cup, admitted: "Portsmouth put us under a lot of pressure.

"It was the strong wind and the new pitch they have laid that also had an effect. It was difficult to pass. They played a lot of long balls and, in the second half, we changed our tactic to counter-attacking football.

"It turned out not as easy as we thought it might. We should have known it would be difficult because they are a Premiership side. And although they may have been playing badly in the league, they still have qualities and you never know what might happen in games like this.

"The main thing at the end of the day is that we are in the last 16. We want to win every match."

[thegreedo]

i posted a written text in ciggys thread the prodigal son, that references fowler and wednesdays game

That's nice for ya Judge lad! Well done!

[Ciggy]

Good post Mick glad to see you back weve missed you round here.
I think we are really missing that little trickster ballwaster meself.

He gets free kicks in around the penalty area, the attack has gone stale since he has been missing, Gerrards ok on the right at home away from home its not his favourite postition IMO.
Cant wait for the Kaizer Hamann to be brought back into the squad either. Cool calm no nonsense not spectacular but very effective is our Didi.
Sissoko has an awful lot to learn he is young he will improve with experience

On Cisse and Morientes well errr Fernando very dissappionting living on his name so there for escapes very lightly when being critisied.

Cisse has been on the recieving end of some very angry fans because for his price tag he hasnt produced the goods, a french Marcus Bent loads of pace no end product.

More worried about the players of late though that beautiful flowing passing game weve witnessed so many times this season seems to have dissappeared which is a pitty cause last night we played like we did against southampton last season only difference is we won last night.

Bad day at the office? To many games played already this season? Japan a trip to far in a busy fixture pileup?
But then you look at the table we are 3rd 2 games in hand, Still in the CL, 5th round of the F.A.Cup so its not all as bad as it seems, apart from the strikers not scoring.

Oops forgot to add Fowler must absolutly play on wednesday he cant be any worse than Morientes can he?

[JBG]

Despite the other guy's problems, I wouldn't start Robbie on Wednesday. He's still not fit - confirmed by Rafa today in the press conference - and I don't think 70 minutes at Anfield on his debut would do him any good, as he would likely have a quiet game and would only frustrate himself and the crowd. I'd ease him in over the next 2 or 3 games with sub appearances, although I'd look to start him after a couple of weeks.

[Ace Ventura]

Tbh i can see reasons for starting Fowler and ones to bring him off the bench later in the game.
The forwards are really not doing it at all at the moment and against Portsmouth it was dire and but for a dubious penalty and a goal out of nothing from JAR we might of had to settle for a replay. I know there is always another gear from this Liverpool side but the strikers really need to start being clinical and making tight games go our way.
Crouch was rested and linked up better than Morientes when he came on, Cisse was nonexistent until he was switched to the right, then although his touch is still shocking, he did cause problems and puts in a decent cross.
I would think really it is an ideal situation to get Robbie straight in.
We are playing a struggling side at home, the atmosphere if he plays will improve by about 20 % in noise imo, that could get the players right up for it and if we scored early we could win comfortably...with Robbie on the scoresheet.
Crouch and Fowler up front with Cisse down the right and Gerrard and Alonso in the centre, i'd also stick with Riise this game just due to the Pennant factor, he will provide Warnock with better protection and i thought he was one of our better players yesterday.
Go at them right from the start and lets make it a massive night at Anfield.
If he doesnt feel Fowler is ready or fit enough, i hope at least he brings him on last 20 minutes, we dont want to be waiting too long to see him back in action.

[thegreedo]

I don't think 70 minutes at Anfield on his debut would do him any good, as he would likely have a quiet game and would only frustrate himself and the crowd.

Good shout JBG, thats exactly why I think we should use Robbie very carefully. We owe it to him to not expect too much too soon. Robbie has always been a confidence player so if we ease him in slowly I'm sure it will pay dividends, we all know what a fully fit, fully confident and motivated Fowler can do. So lets be patient.

[The Nancy Boys]

Given the performance or lack thereof of Cisse and Morientes the other night I'd start with Fowler on Wednesday. Our front two were absolutely dreadful, contributed nothing and Toderov was the most effective striker on view when he came on.

Too much pressure to put on him. What if Fowler has a bad game and is "dreadful" . I say give him 30 mins.

[zarababe]

get lost Manc

[crazyhorse]

I would start him on the bench, and then when we are winning the game in the last 30 minutes bring him on with no pressure on him and a rousing welcome!!!!

He does not need to prove anything to us, but i reckon if he stays fit and gains in confidence he has the motivation to score 12 or so before the end of the season and maybe make a push for the WC squad!.