Liverpool FC Forum

by **ivor_the_injun** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 2:59 am

The point's been made time and time again in recent weeks, but it's a point well worth labouring. We don't have a clinical six yards out goal poacher in our ranks at the moment, and we're going to struggle until we do.

During the summer, a lot of people would have been happy to see Shearer sign a 1-year contract. It's the right idea, but for me I'd like us to bring Robbie back. It wouldn't surprise me if he was going for free at the moment, as no team in this land can justify asking for money for a player playing second fiddle to Jon Macken.

I am under absolutely no illusions as to how well Fowler has done since he left LFC. Similarly, I think people should keep an open mind as to the limited opportunities he's had in that time. Yes, his fitness is nowhere near where it should be, but he's only played the full 90 minutes 16 times since last January. This isn't because of illness or injury - it's because Man City haven't given him the right conditioning to allow him to get match fit. If a club don't get behind the player, what motivation is that for a player to do a job for the club? It's not necessarily a one-way street, don't get me wrong, but you don't go from England international to third choice at Maine road in just over 1 season through choice.

And here's the problem. Last season against Chelsea, he was absolutely electrifying. His movement was first rate, his touch was superb, and he could have scored 5. Sad to say that he found the woodwork at least twice, but he was there for every second ball, in the goalkeeper's face for every quality ball into the box and for me he looked like the player that we used to know and love. In the end Chelsea nicked a goal against the run of play and won, but he looked like he was back. And then what? A couple of games without goals and Keegan relegated him to the bench. Anelka wasn't exactly setting the world on fire either, but his place remained safe.

Now I don't think for one moment that anyone signing Fowler will be getting the player that was in the mid-to-late 90s, but you're kidding yourselves if you don't think he's still the man when it comes to poaching the ugly stuff from inside the box. That first day goal against Fulham wasn't a fluke, and similarly it's not the kind of thing that every player can do. Henry could've found the net from there. Maybe Owen could've. Van Nistelrooy too maybe. Not too many more though.

For the money that it would require, it's quite simple for me. For the last 30 mins when you need a goal, who better to throw in and around the box? Baros and Cisse may never gel, because they're both the kind of players that like to take the ball on the burst and make their way into the area while in possession. Pair either of them with an intelligent goal hanger and they can make their runs from deep knowing that there's a passing option and someone that can give them a sly one-two past the last man or a nice little flick round the corner while the cavalry arrives from midfield.

Call it nostalgia, call it stupidity, call it insanity, I really don't care. I want a team that can bring the crowd to their feet, but I also want a team that are capable of grinding out results by sieging the opposing box in the last 10 minutes of a game. Maybe Bowditch, Mista or Morientes will do that for us, but none of them are proven in the Premiership, and there are far too many question marks in our side as it is. I said last week that a Fowler at 75% of his powers would get the nod from me ahead of Cisse and Pongolle, and I firmly believe that with the right support staff that's the very least we can expect from a player that the English game would be seriously f*cking stupid to cast aside.

by **A.B.** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:05 am

Fowler is not the player he once was.

Benitez has said that he wants his midfield to do the majority of scoring. He has got that so far. Baros and Cisse score every now and then but I believe Cisse will get better. He just needs time to adapt and when he does adapt you will see a class player. Remember Henry wasn't great when he first arrived.

As long as we score and win at the end of the day I could care less really. It wouldn't matter whether Baros scores 5 goals in the season or 50.

To me it does not matter who scores, as long as we win. Some are upset the fact that Cisse was worth 14 million and is not banging in the goals. Well it isn't Cisse's fault that he was sold for 14 million. Some of you set your expectations too high and now you are disapointed. It is incredibly stupid to think that a player will adapt in a new league within 9 games. It is not going to happen.

It will take time, patience is a virtue. We have been patient for a long time and we can continue to be patient.

At this point of time Mista wearing the Red shirt is certain. The Morientes situation I am not sure about but Mista will be here for sure in January.

by **A.B.** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:12 am

I know how you feel Ivor, I want to see Baros and Cisse score two goals a piece in every game but it is not going to happen anytime soon. Baros has a bad habbit [head down] and Cisse needs time to adapt.

You will see our midfield scoring more than our forwards, but Baros and Cisse will score every once and a while. Cisse needs something to get him started. I think he can get that something against Blackburn. The runs he made today were amazing. He passed the ball 10 yards ahead of him and outrunned Charlton's defenders and still had the strength and energy to cross the ball. Impressive.

by **ivor_the_injun** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:23 am

Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted to see the rest of the team chipping in with goals, but when you look at the ground Cisse covers to get those balls whipped in, I can't help but think that even a well-below-par Fowler would be intelligent enough to make the run into the box to get on the end of it. It's all very well having pace to beat a man and get the ball in there - Baros and Cisse are both excellent in this respect. I just wish they'd also start making a habit of being on the end of the crosses that one another are working so hard to provide.

A midfield with goals in it, plus a potent strike pairing that you'd put a fiver on in every game - that's what I want to see. I know that Fowler isn't the player that he was, but we've got the kind of intelligent passing midfield that he'd thrive on, even now. I don't know what sort of money would change hands for Mista or Morientes, but if it's substantial, I'd be inclined to gamble on the cheap scouser.

by **A.B.** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:26 am

Mista would come for free. He is walking out on a bosman. Morientes I do not know

by **The_Rock** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 4:10 am

i also thought of how it would be if we brought back fowler. But you have to understand this. If Fowler has problem impressing keegan (who is one of the most lenient/loyal managers in the league), how would he fare with rafa ?

Fowler's problem is in his head. I don't think he has any passion for football now.

by **ivor_the_injun** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 12:48 pm

On the contrary, I think Fowler's problem is that he's at a club that regret signing him. It can't be easy to motivate yourself in that kind of situation.

by **bigmick** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 1:15 pm

Ivor, you may indeed be insane but at least you've voiced an opinion mate, nice one. Can't say I'd agree with it 'though on a couple of counts. While I totally agree with you that a Fowler at 75% of his best would be a welcome addition, I think we're unlikely to get that. FWIW I don't think we were getting anywhere near that in his latter days at Anfield. Also, I can't see Robbie being motivated enough to stay fit and sharp if his role is only ever going to be that of bit-part supersub.
It pains me not to agree with you because I thought Robbie was one of the best players ever to wear the red shirt in his heyday. But on balance, I think that time has long gone. Having said all that, if he did come back and did the biz', I would be cheering him on as much as any fan.

by **vlady16.1** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 5:05 pm

please bring fowler back-- we owe it to him-- my hatred for gh began the day robbie left and i really think that was the beginning of the teams slide -- the man bleeds liverpool -- he may be past it but he will get those ugly goals we just don't seem to get -- and you know what, he deserves to retire as a red

by **barnesrush** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 7:13 pm

sold him for 11 mill buy him back for 1-2 cant be bad business. id like to think just playin for liverpool again would motivate him enough to do a good job. hes had a hard time through injury but if theres any chance he could get back to where he was when he left id take him back in a shot.

by **A.B.** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 7:30 pm

Rafa wouldn't buy him.

by **Ade** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 7:49 pm

Interesting post this one.

I loved fowler in the mid-90s, the man was the last true goal machine we had, even more than Owen. Even when Owen was at his best Fowler was still the better goalscorer but the two couldn't play together and with Owen's blistering rise there was no way he was getting dropped.

The problem with Robbie was Thommo; him and GH's strict regime took the passion out of Fowler and I reckon owen's success really ate him up. If we took him back he would get fit, in shape and give it 110 per cent because he loves this club. He's a player who needs to be loved and feel at home, no one's allowed him to do that over the past 5 years. That said, someone here made a good point about motivation - maybe like Stevie McManaman he's too loaded to really care any more.

Agree with the post about Mista. He'll be on a free at the end of this season so Valencia are looking to offload him in January. Anyone who can score 19 goals in La Liga last season's gotta be worth a look.

Cisse will come good. He's got unbelivable pace, good power and a real desire to succeed. Even if he's not scoring he's putting team's fullbacks on the back foot, and against top teams if we can pin back their fullbacks that allows us to play further up the pitch.
Baros is the problem. He's not a team player and I get the feeling he's not that popular with the other lads.

by **A.B.** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 7:54 pm

Baros is the problem. He's not a team player and I get the feeling he's not that popular with the other lads.

I agree, he needs to be pass just a bit more.

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