Fowler arrives in Australia ahead of A-League adventure

[little dave hedgehog]

i was finkin the uva day about baked beans.

what if there was just one bean?

then it would be a typo.

that's it, i wasn't finkin' anyfink else.

[Lee]

Fitness not far off for frustrated Fowler



Fitness not far off for frustrated Fowler

ANTONY STEWART

July 6th, 2009

IF the public have been disappointed by Robbie Fowler's absence from the playing field this pre-season, multiply that frustration by 100 for the man himself.

The superstar striker took a major step towards his Fury debut this week, stepping up his training regime as he continues to work on overcoming niggling leg injuries.

Fowler even has half an eye on North Queensland's next pre-season game in Perth, while conceding he would be 'distraught' to miss the club's A-League debut on August 8.

It's a much needed ray of hope for Fowler as lonely two and three-man 'injured squad' training sessions have dominated his routine since signing a two-year deal in February.

A professional who dominated the English Premier League with Liverpool, Manchester City and Leeds for more than a decade, he concedes setbacks come with the territory.

But that hasn't made it any easier for Fowler to watch on from the sidelines.

"You just can't put it into words how frustrating it is because it's not nice," he said.

"Any player will tell you that you go into any club and want to be firing on all cylinders straight away, you want to be involved in training, you want to be involved in games.

"Unfortunately I have had a bit of a niggle and it's just so frustrating. You want to go out and play straight away, but sometimes it's not possible."

The bulk of the frustration has come from the fact that Fowler's groin and hip injuries were first thought to be a one-to-two week issue, but the niggles have been ongoing.

It has even led to groundless speculation he may never play for North Queensland FC.

While Fowler admitted he would have to continue to manage the injuries, he reiterated the words from the day he signed with the Fury: "I'm not here for a holiday."

"I have come here and I want to enjoy my football and I want to play as much as anyone, but certain things dictate that sometimes you can't play.

"I'm prepared to work hard and get on that pitch, I'm not just here to enjoy the sun, it's pride in myself."

Next week Fowler is scheduled to join his teammates in full training for the first time since joining the camp on April 4.

But while eyeing off donning the green-and-white jersey for the first time in Perth in a little under two weeks, Fowler was also reluctant to make any guarantees.

NQFC medical staff are understood to have their sights on introducing the former England marksman for the Fury's final trial against Brisbane in Townsville on July 26.

"I'm happy with the way things are developing so far and fingers crossed I don't have any setbacks, because if it was up to me, I'd be playing tomorrow," Fowler said.

"But I'm gauging from other people who are looking at things in the long term.

"I want to be right before I start getting involved in games because if I'm going in and I'm not 100 per cent, then I'm leaving myself open for setbacks and I don't want that."

For Fowler, the big picture is August 8 against Sydney FC at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Watching from the stands is not a prospect he even wants to consider and he said tackling glamour boys Sydney in Townsville was looking extremely good.

"I have every confidence. It's about five weeks (until the A-League kicks off), I would be very, very disappointed if I'm not (playing)," the Liverpool legend said.

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2009/07/06/62401_sport.html

Robbie

[Lee]

I can't believe a thread about Darius Vassell has had more views and posts than a Robbie Fowler thread.

[Le Chef]

Tranny Rovers are after him

[shankly]

you wont need to persuade them much, townsville is the gateway to maggie island

I wouldn't mind getting hold of a Fury shirt if they're available.

$165 ozzie dollars though, way too steep for a ****e reebok shirt

http://shop.nqfury.com.au/ProductInfo.asp?PRODUCTID=852

[Shanks]

Scores!

North Queensland Fury 1 Wolves 2

Fowler, who came on as a 55th minute substitute for Daniel McBreen, sent goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey the wrong way from the spot.

[Shaggy]

****ing sub for that lot? I take it he's not fully fit yet?

[Shanks]

****ing sub for that lot? I take it he's not fully fit yet?

Blackburn, last year was the last he played I think?

[carty1976]

Fitness is the issue, their calling him Blobby Fowler (even I laughed at that tag line)

http://tinyurl.com/kqc8rc

[Lee]

Fitness is the issue, their calling him Blobby Fowler (even I laughed at that tag line)
http://tinyurl.com/kqc8rc

**** me. As we all know, he's not exactly ripped - but blobbie?! ****about

[Guest]

Blobbie Typical Australian stuff.

[Harv]

Blobbie Typical Australian stuff.

Thats an English paper der brain

He's a ****ing tank

[tsb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_MV0f81sxc&feature=player_embedded#

Scored a header

[pondus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_MV0...ayer_embedded#

Scored a header

Great pass in the build up to the first goal as well

[Fernandinho]

Yeah im loving Fowler more and more by the minute, despite playing for the team who beat Sydney on the weekend he is an invaluable asset to the A-League, getting coverage overseas like on some random Liverpool forum