Aussie Analysis: Is Liverpool 'God' Robbie Fowler The A-League's Saviour?

It wasn’t that long ago that any neutral fan of the A-League would have been overcome with a sense of foreboding as they watched the North Queensland Fury stutter on their competitive debut.

In the build-up to the new season, the team assembled by inexperienced manager Ian Ferguson – embarking upon his first head coaching gig – was being derided by analysts as one lacking quality and cohesion.

How could a collection of what were essentially second-hand A-League players avoid embarrassment?

The obvious answer would seem to be in the form of Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, who at 33 years old represented one of the biggest ever foreign names to arrive on these shores.

Yet despite his goal-scoring exploits and pedigree, even Fowler couldn’t escape endless speculation about a supposedly bulging waste-line and his ability to adapt to the humidity in Townsville.

Speaking exclusively to Goal.com before the start of the season, Fowler echoed rhetoric about essentially having nothing to prove and wanting to focus solely on helping the Fury during what was shaping up at the time to be a difficult debut season.

The truth of course, was that Fowler had grown tired of the questioning of his motives in coming to Australia.

At one stage, speculation had even emerged that the veteran would be returning to England before having kicked a competitive ball for the Fury, perhaps epitomizing the scepticism that met his move down under.

Finally, he made his competitive bow for the Fury after having been named captain by Ferguson – who had earlier made it clear he would not burden the superstar with such a role – scoring a penalty in the Fury’s 3-2 home defeat to Sydney.

The low crowd was perhaps as disappointing as aspects of the Fury’s performance, the realization that Fowler’s name is not in itself enough to draw crowds in a demanding Australian sports market.

Five rounds and three goals later and Sydney FC attracted its biggest crowd of the season using Fowler’s name as a drawcard, with A-League fans responding to the fine form shown by the Kop hero.

More than his exploits on the pitch though, perhaps people are now beginning to sense a pride is now driving this man as he continues to defy the early doomsayers.

The subtle moments that included a frustrated post-match television interview following his side’s 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Gold Coast United and brief shots of him rallying his troops in the half-time dressing room would suggest the Fowler is now becoming emotionally attached to his new employers.

There is no question his physique has improved over the past few rounds and he continues to show a penchant for doing the more difficult jobs for his side; not often a trait amongst even the most successful A-League marquees.

Often sacrificing himself in a lone striker role, Fowler is now profiting from the confidence he appears to have inspired in his teammates, the likes of Daniel McBreen having been transformed into world-beaters alongside their captain.

A standing ovation from both sets of supporters as he inspired his Fury outfit to a 1-0 away win over Sydney FC was richly deserved, the work-rate and leadership qualities of the striker matching his sublime winner.

That moment has crystallized the importance of Fowler to this competition; quite frankly, he is one of the few positives during what has been an otherwise disappointing season.

Given his potential as a drawcard, ailing crowds could be boosted by a fit and in-form Fowler and for this reason every goal he scores is a goal for the league in general.

Consider also that the legitimacy of the league continues to depend on the success of its biggest players; had fowler flopped, the credibility of the A-League would have gone with him.

It is the harsh reality of a competition that will largely be judged on the surface by neutrals and non-football fans, rather than for the nuances of its technical, tactical and developmental quality.

The success of the A-League depends on men like Fowler and the profile and attention they bring to it with every goal and victory.

For the moment at least, God is proving to be the A-League’s saviour.

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com

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