Poll : Robbie Fowler for England's World Cup squad?

[saurabh]

Should Robbie Fowler be called upon for England's World Cup 2006 squad?

http://www.geocities.com/robbiefowleronline/robbiefowler.jpg


Considering the fact that two of the most experienced strikers are unsure about their fitness and we know that players cannot immediately strike a golden patch after injuries, why not add Robbie Fowler's experience to the World Cup squad?

If Rafa Benitez offers a contract to Robbie Fowler in the next 15 days, it will mean that he is fit enough to play at the highest level, so why not for England?

If not, why should he even get a new Liverpool contract?

[chriswvtr]

Considering that Fowler has slagged Sven off in numerous newspaper interviews, and his autobiography, there is about as much chance of him getting a call up as there is of me winning next years Miss World :)

[been_extreme]

It'll be Crouch, Defoe, Owen, Rooney. Then probably Bent, Ashton, no chance for Robbie, unfortunately

[saurabh]

I want to make one thing clear - the question is "Should he" not "Will he". I would like to know if you guys think he makes the grade or not.

[slipperydave]

should he? on his past England performances, most certainly not. i'd rather take Emile Heskey:rolleyes:

[chriswvtr]

I want to make one thing clear - the question is "Should he" not "Will he". I would like to know if you guys think he makes the grade or not.


Nope, not played enough football, not scored enough goals, not fit enough, hates Sven........Need I go on.

[akibo]

Nope, not played enough football, not scored enough goals, not fit enough, hates Sven........Need I go on.
I agree, I doubt that he'd make it against international level defense..

[tringo99]

If Owen and Rooney don't make it then Sven will have no choice but to take Fowler.

But I don't have any problems with Fowler, I think he would be good at the World Cup especially given the number of chances that our midfield will create.

[slipperydave]

If Owen and Rooney don't make it then Sven will have no choice but to take Fowler.

OK! what gives you that idea?

[Real JamesO]

He's certainly had a good run of late with Liverpool, but, to be honest, I'm not convinced it isn't a little flukey. I don't know that he could keep it up in the World Cup.

[chriswvtr]

If Owen and Rooney don't make it then Sven will have no choice but to take Fowler.

But I don't have any problems with Fowler, I think he would be good at the World Cup especially given the number of chances that our midfield will create.

I'm sure Bent, Defoe, Crouch, Beattie!!??, Vassell!!?? Andy Johnson even would all say different.

[been_extreme]

Gary Lineker, Bobby Charlton, Jimmy Greaves?

[madtroll]

Shame Wenger didn't prime Theo Walcott a bit - I thought he was supposed to be the next great thing.

We'll get by with Ashton, Defoe, Crouch and Bent. They'll get so much service from the midfield, they will think it's Christmas. Something has to go in, it's the law of averages.

Also, would it be foolish to suggest either Lampard or Gerrard as a forward player? It's not like they don't know how to score goals.

[chelseafan71]

fowler wasn't good enough when he was in his prime - he's only gotten fatter and slower since then.

[eraser2224]

lots of better players that would get the call to go ahead of him.

[funkdoctorspock]

lovely... God & Crouchdinho...

my stomach is turning already.... :rolleyes:

[lawless7]

So the world cup is a joke now. How about this as it relates to fowler playing for engand
hell fucking no.
That little shit has done nothing for 6 years, he couldt make mancity side but he must make the england squad. Are you guys serious, fowler at his be wasnt international class, now he is just championship class.

The guy has no use to the england squad.

[shizz]

Also, would it be foolish to suggest either Lampard or Gerrard as a forward player? It's not like they don't know how to score goals.

good point mate,if rooney doesnt make it i think stevieG would play in that role just off owen

[Kan]

Also, would it be foolish to suggest either Lampard or Gerrard as a forward player? It's not like they don't know how to score goals.


That's what I have been saying. Because Owen is to small to hold up the ball alone Ashton or Crouch should get the nod.


Why not let Gerrard and Lampard rome like crazy without a worry if we put Carrick in the holding role we can bloody do it!
KNOWING SVEN HE'S F`ing crap!!! SHOULD HAVE GOT RID OFF AFTER THE CRAP AGAINST PORTUGAL.

[Imran]

just put him in purely for a Real Madridsque reason- THINK OF THE JERSEY SALES FOR ENGLAND F.A ;) wait we HATE THE F.A , ....leave fowler out then

[Dirtycheat]

prefer rooney with one foot. lol although robbie has been having some good form lately i just think there is so many players that coul be caled up instead.

[steve huge]

Nah. I'm Fowler's biggest fan, but I don't reckon he should go to Germany. Yeah, he's been playing well recently, but that's because he loves Liverpool and he's fighting for his future. I don't think playing for the national team ever got him as passionate as playing for the Reds. That's why he was crap at Leeds and City, just didn't have the passion for it after being forced out of his club.

And anyway, Rooney's going to be fine (wishful thinking......) so there'll be no need for him to go.

[chriswvtr]

Wierd, everybody who's posting is saying NO, but the poll is 50/50 :confused:

[saurabh]

I voted "Yes" because in my opinion he is better than Defoe, Vassell, Heskey, Bent and Co. If Owen is not fit, the best replacement is Fowler as he is a similar striker. He is a better finisher than most English strikers. I am not sure if he should make the grade at Liverpool because if Liverpool spend money they can buy much better strikers, but as far as English strikers are concerned, Fowler definitely ranks among the top 5.

[akibo]

If Owen is not fit, the best replacement is Fowler as he is a similar striker.
You mean Fowler's a quick little boy who misses over 50% of his shots??

[saurabh]

You mean Fowler's a quick little boy who misses over 50% of his shots??

In that sense Fowler is better ;) A classic poacher, a variety that neither Defoe, Vassell, Heskey or Bent offer. Only Owen and Fowler. Both Rooney and Crouchinho create lot of chances. Crouchinho is also a threat in air. Defoe and Co. are not offering anything different but Fowler offers a different option even as a substitute and more importantly has the backing of his experience and judgment skills that the younger strikers lack.

[akibo]

I agree on the experience part, but I would like to see how Defoe could cope with International level pressure.. haven't seen him many times recently, I wonder how he's developed. One thing's for sure though, I wouldn't like to see one-season-wonder Beattie wearing an England shirt in Germany..

[Lonso]

I voted "Yes" because in my opinion he is better than Defoe, Vassell, Heskey, Bent and Co. If Owen is not fit, the best replacement is Fowler as he is a similar striker. He is a better finisher than most English strikers. I am not sure if he should make the grade at Liverpool because if Liverpool spend money they can buy much better strikers, but as far as English strikers are concerned, Fowler definitely ranks among the top 5.

Really? Is this what you REALLY think?? :confused:

Do you think Rafa would think Fowler is better than Defoe, Vassel, Ashton and Bent as well?
For the moment, disregard Fowler's non footballing attributes that benefits Liverpool specifically i.e. his passion for this club, lift for teammates, fans and club staff etc, because England isn't Liverpool. Having discarded the above non-footballing qualities:

If you are manager of a club and had a choice of strikers of Defoe's or Fowler's footballing quality for the same price, who would you buy? Who would Rafa buy? Would Rafa have brought Fowler back to Liverpool if we had to pay a hefty transfer fee?

I love Robbie dearly, as much as the next Liverpool fan, and would kill to have him stay longer at Liverpool, but I reckon its unreasonable to think Robbie's good or fit enough to play for England.

Of course, you are 100% entitled to your own opinion.

[akibo]

Spot on Lonso!

[saurabh]

It is different playing 38 match league and a cup. In the Cup format you don't have to play too many games. Rafa can buy many strikers as I mentioned but it is a well known fact that Rafa rejected Defoe. Rafa also clearly said Tottenham are desperate to sell Defoe and then followed up by saying he is a prefessional and stands by what he said. Tottenham could have gone to the FA if it was untrue but they didn't so it is clear that neither of the two managers rate Defoe highly.
Since then Rafa has worked with Cisse and got goals out of him and proved Jol's statements on Cisse wrong, but despite so many chances since then, Defoe is yet to impress and is not exactly "hot" in the transfer market.
Liverpool and England are different. England have limited options and its a matter of a month or so and Fowler is head and shoulders above Defoe with his experience and ability.
If I were Liverpool manager I would prefer Aguero, Torres and Villa over Fowler, agreed. But I will always prefer Fowler over Defoe and Co.
Fowler will sit on the bench and still be motivated and can assist other strikers with his guidance. If there is no Owen, all the rest will be debudants and that can backfire. You also need experience. That is why I am in favour of Fowler for England but I agree that Rafa has better options for Liverpool. However, in Folwer vs Defoe and Co., I'll always back Fowler.

[Kan]

Fowler has a great footballing brain though. Somthing Bent and Defoe are missing, only comes with experience I reckon. The way he reads the game and the way he moves around the box, he just knows what the player with the ball is going to do.

[Lonso]

It is different playing 38 match league and a cup. In the Cup format you don't have to play too many games. Rafa can buy many strikers as I mentioned but it is a well known fact that Rafa rejected Defoe. Rafa also clearly said Tottenham are desperate to sell Defoe and then followed up by saying he is a prefessional and stands by what he said. Tottenham could have gone to the FA if it was untrue but they didn't so it is clear that neither of the two managers rate Defoe highly.

That's in relation to their transfer price. You're comparing someone who was to cost the club several millions of pounds and someone who literally cost nothing. It's like saying, Fowler is better than Simao. Because in the end we rejected Simao but brought in Fowler. But then again, knowing you, you'd actually think that. :cool:

But I don't exactly enjoy making an argument AGAINST fowler, and you are as i said before entitled to your own opinion. So this is as far as I'll go with this topic :)

[Unregistered]

Fowler is done. Why would anyone want a player who is basically at the end of his career (I don't care how old he is. Remember Schillaci? He was done at 27) to play for England in WC Finals? If Rooney isn't going to be there, and there is absolutely no one to replace him, give the opportunity to some other talented young player who can use this experience in future.

And to say Fowler is the closest thing to Owen is just dumb. Owen is a much faster and better player than Fowler ever was. Owen was a class act at the age of 17.


Defoe and Joe Cole are the players that can be used up front imo. Use them wisely in a 4-5-1, and Rooney's loss won't be as terrible as it is if they step up. ;)

[realGaurab]

I dont want Fowler going to Germany. I think unfit Rooney is better than a fully fit Fowler (just my opinion). He has never impressed anybody this season. Even after his return to Liverpool, the only people who still call him 'god' are the only ones who used call him the same back in his Liverpool days.

I would play Owen up front alone just like he used to play for Liverpool during Houllier's times. England got enough quality midfield to help him. He's good enough to be left alone up front, scored against Argentina in 98 and Brazil in 02 basically just on his own. If needed, Crouch can be called in later as a sub to partner Owen. Defoe imo can replace Owen. I'm not particularly impressed with Bent in the latter part of the season, but Ashton can be a handful.

[GeCk0]

Well the problem with that is although Owen can be a lone striker when he is fully fit and use his pace and movement to best effect, if he is unfit as he is currently, he cannot play that position effectively. Which will sadly negate a lot of the English attack.

I'm a Fowler fan and a Liverpool fan. But, it would be ill-advised to bring Fowler back for the World Cup. As a liverpool fan, making Fowler play during the summer will set him back in his race for fitness for the new season (which we will need if we want him ready for the next year). Erikson also hates Fowler.. which doesn't help.

[realGaurab]

I think Owen will be fully fit by the time they play the first game, if not, by the time they play the second. The only big game Newcastle now has is against Chelsea. Mourinho has already told the papers that he will now not play Lampard, Cole and Terry for the next two games, so unless Owen is fully fit, I dont think he will be used against Chelsea. Should he come on, he will be coming in only as a substitute. But this is just my opinion. Basically what I think is Owen should be able and ready to be playing in the WC.

[GeCk0]

Fully fit is one thing. But match fit is another. He may be up to par fitness-wise, but with no games under his belt and being out for so long, it is a risky thing to rely on him to be the main attacking threat.

[randy420]

I voted "Yes" because in my opinion he is better than Defoe, Vassell, Heskey, Bent and Co. If Owen is not fit, the best replacement is Fowler as he is a similar striker. He is a better finisher than most English strikers. I am not sure if he should make the grade at Liverpool because if Liverpool spend money they can buy much better strikers, but as far as English strikers are concerned, Fowler definitely ranks among the top 5.

Wow. Just... wow.

That's ludicrous mate. I seriously think you need to take your liverpool glasses off. Fowler is in NO WAY better than Defoe and should not even be in Sven's thoughts for the World Cup.

[butters]

I don`t think so although he`s very very good at finishing, but he can`t make any impact in such a high quality compitition anymore because of his stamia.
Maybe as a substitution, but I think those chances should be given to youngster like Bent for example.

[cityblues]

Fowler couldn't break into the City side, with two english strikers ahead of him...come on now.

[jlimty]

The thing about Owen is that when he comes back from injury, he needs a run of games before he gets his sharpness back. When he used to play for us he would need a few games before he was 100% match fit and when he's not 100% you might as well not have him on the pitch :rolleyes:

saurabh, I personally disagree with you that Fowler and Owen are similar strikers. Yes they're both poachers but Fowler gets his goals inside the box where his movement and his ability to anticipate crosses is second to none. He isn't as quick as he used to be but the ability is still there. He also used to get goals from all angles in and out of the box with his head and his left or right foot.

Owen on the other hand plays on the shoulder of the last defender where his pace accompanied with the right ball over the top will more often than not result in goals. He has have lost some of his blistering pace but he has developed other parts of his game but in no way is he similar to Fowler.

While Rooney might miss out on the WC and with Owen's fitness being suspect, taking on an old Fowler whose fitness is suspect as well wouldn't make sense. You can't have a striker who is half fit and expect him to make an impact against world class defenders who are 100% fit. Yes Robbie has more experience and skill in his locker compared to the other contenders but you need both quality and fit players.

[Lonso]

Saurabh,

are you registering in different names to vote YES on this thing??? LOL

[saurabh]

Saurabh,

are you registering in different names to vote YES on this thing??? LOL

No mate. There are a lot of sensible people here but they just don't want to argue. Not many see Defoe as more talented than Fowler unless they are kids. Fowler is still wanted by clubs like Bolton and Blackburn, is anyone bidding for Defoe? And it is not just because he may be a free transfer. It is because experience matters. It is easy to look at Rooney and say he is the best ManU player, but even at this age Ruud scores more goals than Rooney! It is about variety. It has nothing to do with speed and youth. There are legends like Ayala who will be playing in the World Cup, many Brazilians are also above 30, so why are they playing?
In a team with 4 strikers, surely one has to have experience. In any case, it will be proven this season that Defoe is worthless. I have seen him many times, he is the worst finisher in the Premiership. He is only Tottenham's 3 rd choice striker.
Finaly, as Rafa Benitez says, "If you are not doing well, you can bring on Folwer's experience or send your center back forward" (a la Mourinho sending Huth upfront).

[randy420]

No mate. There are a lot of sensible people here but they just don't want to argue. Not many see Defoe as more talented than Fowler unless they are kids. Fowler is still wanted by clubs like Bolton and Blackburn, is anyone bidding for Defoe? And it is not just because he may be a free transfer. It is because experience matters. It is easy to look at Rooney and say he is the best ManU player, but even at this age Ruud scores more goals than Rooney! It is about variety. It has nothing to do with speed and youth. There are legends like Ayala who will be playing in the World Cup, many Brazilians are also above 30, so why are they playing?
In a team with 4 strikers, surely one has to have experience. In any case, it will be proven this season that Defoe is worthless. I have seen him many times, he is the worst finisher in the Premiership. He is only Tottenham's 3 rd choice striker.
Finaly, as Rafa Benitez says, "If you are not doing well, you can bring on Folwer's experience or send your center back forward" (a la Mourinho sending Huth upfront).
LOL!

Teams like Bolton and Blackburn are in for him so that makes him better than Defoe? LMFAO Check out the league table, look at the other players at the clubs. Bolton and Blackburn are in for Fowler because they CAN get him for free, because they don't have the money to bid for a world class striker.

[Lonso]

No mate. There are a lot of sensible people here but they just don't want to argue.

Source?


Not many see Defoe as more talented than Fowler unless they are kids.

Don't say shit like that, I could have personally attacked your intelligence many times in recent weeks but I find the strength to restrain myself.

[jlimty]

Don't say shit like that, I could have personally attacked your intelligence many times in recent weeks but I find the strength to restrain myself.

Intelligence? What intelligence? :rolleyes:

[saurabh]

LOL!

Teams like Bolton and Blackburn are in for him so that makes him better than Defoe? LMFAO Check out the league table, look at the other players at the clubs. Bolton and Blackburn are in for Fowler because they CAN get him for free, because they don't have the money to bid for a world class striker.

You have proven that you do not understand much about football. You lack analytical ability. I had told you clearly that Chelsea only need 84 points to win the league but at that time you told me I don't know maths and that ManU will definitely end up with more than 84 points. Now it is clear that it cannot happen, and after the Charlton game you will be at the third spot. You can blame it again on injuries but they are a part of the game.

When Ruud and Saha could not score yesterday, what difference could Rossi make? He may be young and very good and maybe very expensive as well but he lacked the experience to make a difference. If Ruud would not have scored 30+ goals you would not even have been in top 4 with or without Rooney. Your very team manager puts his faith in players like Giggs, who have experience, may not be the fittest but is useful because he knows when to do what. There are examples eveywhere.

Defoe can create chances but if you see carefuly he has scored only 8 goals in 23 games. He is not a poacher. In a good team you want to have four strikers who are all different kind of strikers, so when something does not work you can try something else. Crouch adds the height, maybe Owen can add pace, Fowler his experience and poaching ability, Rooney his skill. I would consider that a complete attack.

And you say that Bolton and Blackburn cannot afford good signings? Bolton have many good players and if they decide to sell Nolan to your very own club they will have enough money to buy Defoe. By the way, what is Defoe's price, Tottenham will sell him even for 6m. But there are no takers. He is far from expensive. Crouch with all his goals for Southampton, came for just 7.5m. Look around, the clubs like ManU, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. are not looking for qualities that are available in Defoe, so who will fork out more than 6m for Defoe? Newcastle? They have money to buy Torres. The only club which has 6m to risk on Defoe can only be a club like Portsmouth, otherwise he faces another season on the Spurs bench. Rafa has gone on record saying no one wants Defoe.

A third/fourth striker comes on only during the last 15 min. Sometimes you need a goal from him, sometimes you just want him to waste time... and only an experinced striker can fit into that role. If you have a fit Rooney, Owen and Crouch, then it is not important but if one of them gets injured during the tournament or is not fit, then Fowler has the experience to score. Its not like he has to play 20 games, maybe just 2-3, that too as a sub.

[geeza66]

Wow!

There are some Interesting arguments here, Im pleased Im just Sitting on the fence!

I also presume you guys mean Robbie fowler and not Arthur Fowler??? :p

Right back to the fence :)

[Unregistered]

Haha. I just don't see the point in this argument. This guy obviously doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. I mean, if someone actually thinks an unfit, has-been striker can make a difference in WC Finals then we should all know better than sitting here tyring to make him understand.


here's an idea, why not bring back Shearer?!?! :D :D

[randy420]

You have proven that you do not understand much about football. You lack analytical ability. I had told you clearly that Chelsea only need 84 points to win the league but at that time you told me I don't know maths and that ManU will definitely end up with more than 84 points. Now it is clear that it cannot happen, and after the Charlton game you will be at the third spot. You can blame it again on injuries but they are a part of the game.

LOL. you said Chelsea only needed 84 points to win the league. So tell me then, why when the had 88 points before the weekend started, they still hadn't officially won the league? Hmmmm, quite interesting that. Let's see here, 84 - 88 = -4. Wait, negative four? Seems you were about 4 points shy of what they truely needed. I also remember you clearly saying that Liverpool would win the league still, even when they were 12 or 15 points back of Chelsea, yet, that didn't happen either did it? *gasp* no, it didn't. I can blame it on injuries yes, since we've had a giant list of key players who are injured or have been injured, and I can also blame it on having a shite midfield, which we so.

When Ruud and Saha could not score yesterday, what difference could Rossi make? He may be young and very good and maybe very expensive as well but he lacked the experience to make a difference. If Ruud would not have scored 30+ goals you would not even have been in top 4 with or without Rooney. Your very team manager puts his faith in players like Giggs, who have experience, may not be the fittest but is useful because he knows when to do what. There are examples eveywhere.

Hmm, Rossi lacked the experience? Well imagine that. A 19 year old kid, in his second season here, and making only his 9th appearence of the season, and the first since January 18th, and you say he lacks experience. Wow, pretty fucking genius comment there. I think it's quite clear that Rossi doesn't have the experience yet to completely change a match. Especially when he comes on for the last 9 minutes OF the match.

Also, Ruud hasn't scored 30+ goals this season. As of right now, he's scored 24. Also, another tremendously genius comment. "If x player hadn't scored y amount of goals, you wouldn't be so high up in the league." Fucking brilliant mate. You'd think that if a player hadn't scored a over 20 goals for his team, that they wouldn't have had some of the results they got and would thus be lower in the league. good lord.

Ferguson is relying on Giggs, because as of right now, Giggs is one of the three fully fit midfielders that we have to play. the other two are Ronaldo and Park. Scholes, Fletcher, Fortune and Richardson are all out injured. If we actually had central midfielders that were fit and able to play, Giggs would be out on the left flank where he's a LOT more useful than he is in the center of midfield.

And you say that Bolton and Blackburn cannot afford good signings? Bolton have many good players and if they decide to sell Nolan to your very own club they will have enough money to buy Defoe. By the way, what is Defoe's price, Tottenham will sell him even for 6m. But there are no takers. He is far from expensive. Crouch with all his goals for Southampton, came for just 7.5m. Look around, the clubs like ManU, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. are not looking for qualities that are available in Defoe, so who will fork out more than 6m for Defoe? Newcastle? They have money to buy Torres. The only club which has 6m to risk on Defoe can only be a club like Portsmouth, otherwise he faces another season on the Spurs bench. Rafa has gone on record saying no one wants Defoe.

When did I say that Bolton didn't have good players? I simply said that they don't have the money to go out and sign superb players. Look at Big Sam's transfer dealings over the past years. He gets hardly any transfer money, so he relies on signing older players on free transfers, which is what he'd be doing if he got coke-head fowler.

Crouch came for that price because he came from a relegated side who needed some money to help stay afloat in the Championship. Defoe would garner a much higher transfer fee if he were to leave Tottenham for another Premiership side. Defoe is still young, and has excellent talent. Spurs could get at least £10m for him. Clubs like United, and Chelsea have more funds available to go out and get even higher quality players than Defoe. Also both clubs already have an abundance of striking talent (I use that term loosly for Chelsea) so they wouldn't need Defoe.

I'd love to see where Benitez said that "no one" wants Defoe on their team. I can list off at least 10 clubs that would LOVE to have him on their team.

A third/fourth striker comes on only during the last 15 min. Sometimes you need a goal from him, sometimes you just want him to waste time... and only an experinced striker can fit into that role. If you have a fit Rooney, Owen and Crouch, then it is not important but if one of them gets injured during the tournament or is not fit, then Fowler has the experience to score. Its not like he has to play 20 games, maybe just 2-3, that too as a sub.

Yes, but is Fowler going to be match fit for it? No. Plus the fact that there are more deserving players than him that should go. He's too old, and is well past it. He's got no pace, and is quite shit these days. Bent, Defoe, Ashton, Vassell. Those four ALL deserve to go in front of Fowler. Hell, I'd rather Teddy Sheringham go to the World Cup instead of Fowler

[saurabh]

LOL. you said Chelsea only needed 84 points to win the league. So tell me then, why when the had 88 points before the weekend started, they still hadn't officially won the league? Hmmmm, quite interesting that. Let's see here, 84 - 88 = -4. Wait, negative four? Seems you were about 4 points shy of what they truely needed. I also remember you clearly saying that Liverpool would win the league still, even when they were 12 or 15 points back of Chelsea, yet, that didn't happen either did it? *gasp* no, it didn't.

Weekend???? We had the discussion long back. Very convinient of you to forget but that time there were still quite a few games to go, you hadn't even played Arsenal then and I had predicted that 84 points are enough for Chelsea to seal the deal, and that Liverpool will take the second spot.

Your remaining analysis is as crap as your past track record. And I would like to know the ten clubs who want to bid for Defoe as well. I know quite a few people who can confirm that for me. I know you don't know even a single club who are ready to buy him, the proof will come soon enough when the transfer window opens. Then can't sell him at even 7m, even if some club like Portsmouth bid for him. Liverpool have said a clear NO, chelsea, manu, arsenal don't want him. Neither do Newcastle, and Bolton, Tottenham in your opinion cannot afford him. So who is going to buy him??? Everton with a 7.5m transfer budget??? Do you even have any thinking ability? Eventualy you are proven wrong everytime, but you are always ready to die again. Welcome!

[randy420]

Weekend???? We had the discussion long back. Very convinient of you to forget but that time there were still quite a few games to go, you hadn't even played Arsenal then and I had predicted that 84 points are enough for Chelsea to seal the deal, and that Liverpool will take the second spot.

I wasn't talking about our alleged discussion. Look at the points total before we played Chelsea on Saturday. They had 88 points, and STILL needed one more point to secure the league, so clearly, 84 points wasn't enough points. Please, try to pay attention and keep up.

Your remaining analysis is as crap as your past track record. And I would like to know the ten clubs who want to bid for Defoe as well. I know quite a few people who can confirm that for me. I know you don't know even a single club who are ready to buy him, the proof will come soon enough when the transfer window opens. Then can't sell him at even 7m, even if some club like Portsmouth bid for him. Liverpool have said a clear NO, chelsea, manu, arsenal don't want him. Neither do Newcastle, and Bolton, Tottenham in your opinion cannot afford him. So who is going to buy him??? Everton with a 7.5m transfer budget??? Do you even have any thinking ability? Eventualy you are proven wrong everytime, but you are always ready to die again. Welcome!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!

I'd still like to see where Benitez went "on record" to say that NO ONE wanted Defoe. I'll probably be waiting for quite a while though. When did I say Spurs couldn't afford him? Spurs already HAVE him. They don't have to worry about affording him or not, as they've already got him. Well, since Defoe isn't unhappy, and seems quite content to stay at White Hart Lane, I don't see why someone would come out and say they want him.

As for the clubs who could use Defoe. I'd say look at all the clubs in the Premiership other than Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs. Newcastle will need a striker, as Shearer has left. Your team could REALLY use a striker with Defoe's talent as your strikeforce is absolutely pathetic. All of the other clubs could use him as well, and he'd be a big improvment over what they currently have.

[opm1s6]

this thread is returned.

only one adjective fits fowler...OVER THE HILL

[saurabh]

I wasn't talking about our alleged discussion. Look at the points total before we played Chelsea on Saturday. They had 88 points, and STILL needed one more point to secure the league, so clearly, 84 points wasn't enough points. Please, try to pay attention and keep up.

Even that time it was "mathematicaly" possible but I said NO OTHER TEAM will reach 84 points. That is called a "prediction". You need to keep up.



AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!

I'd still like to see where Benitez went "on record" to say that NO ONE wanted Defoe. I'll probably be waiting for quite a while though. When did I say Spurs couldn't afford him? Spurs already HAVE him. They don't have to worry about affording him or not, as they've already got him. Well, since Defoe isn't unhappy, and seems quite content to stay at White Hart Lane, I don't see why someone would come out and say they want him.

As for the clubs who could use Defoe. I'd say look at all the clubs in the Premiership other than Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs. Newcastle will need a striker, as Shearer has left. Your team could REALLY use a striker with Defoe's talent as your strikeforce is absolutely pathetic. All of the other clubs could use him as well, and he'd be a big improvment over what they currently have.

Rafa made it clear that Tottenham want to sell Defoe. He said "Tottenham are desperate to SELL Defoe". Tottenham's response??? Why do they want to sell him if he is so good. After the fiasco, Defoe says he is not sure if he would like to remain at Tottenham. Still --- NO BUYERS.
I am quite happy with what we have acheived. And the progress will continue. 9m remains from previous CL earnings (prizemoney), 10m will come from FA Cup prizemoney, regular transfer budget is 20m, Cisse + Traore + Warnock=10m = Total money available = 49m! Even half of that is enough to buy a good striker far far better than Defoe. Midfield we already have Gonzalez, left back - Aurelio free transfer. Need another striker spend another 10m. There is NO derth of funds for Rafa, he has earned his budget since he joined us. Our strikeforce is winning tournaments and we are happy. Now, your other fav. Darren Bent will find it amusing to score against your team as he is being "tipped" to play for England and that will be a nice game to watch. At the end of the day we will know which strikers have won what for which club.

[gonekais]

I've expounded on this subject numerous times in other threads but because no one seems to be supporting Saurabh (and Robbie) I am compelled to put my two cents in. I honestly believe that Robbie Fowler still has alot to offer to the England World Cup effort, particularly in light of Rooney's unfortunate injury and Owen's return not going as expected.

I disagree most vehemently, albeit respectfully, with posters who say he is "over the hill" and past his best. The one guy who said that what Fowler has done this season is "flukey" - seriously? 8 goals this year (plus two incorrectly disallowed ones) in 10 or 11 starts is not poor form by any stretch of imagination.

And whoever said he performed poorly in his England career, even if you hate the guy, please be a tad objective. Admitted, he never fit in to Eriksson's long ball crap which required a pacy striker a la Owen, Rooney, Vassell and the like. Yet he still managed 7 goals in 11 or 12 starts in an England shirt. I'm sure you would agree that is not a bad return for a striker.

Nevertheless, I feel he can offer an extra dimension to the English striking department. No one has the finishing ability or the goal awareness that Fowler possesses. And his reading of the game has ameliorated tremendously over the years. His first touch, movement and lay offs have been amazing to watch.

Someone asked elsewhere on this forum that if England are 1-1 in a critical game, 10 minutes to go and you have the choice to bring a striker on to get a goal (apart from Owen/Rooney). Who would put one chance away? No one is as lethal as Robbie Fowler in that department.

Agreed, he is not the goal scoring machine of the 90's. Yet I have to agree with Saurabh that he provides an option that the other reserve strikers - Bent, Defoe and Crouch are unable to. The (not so simple) ability to put the ball in the back of the net. Anyone who watched Bent against Uruguay would have to concede that he was truly awful that day. I still think he has some way to go before he is of genuine England calibre.

Matty12345 stated elsewhere on this forum that Fowler has done an excellent job of adapting his game to "suit his diminished capabilities". That is an appropriate assessment of the man.

This post is not advocating the inclusion of Robbie Fowler in the England World Cup 2006.

What I am simply attempting to prove is that, considering Rooney's injury and Owen's return still shrouded in doubt, Fowler along with Crouch, Defoe and perhaps Bent is a possibility for Sven. To be brutally honest though, that will never happen. Sven would rather pick Beattie, Johnson, Ashton, Harewood, Vassell and Heskey (gasp!) before Fowler. Essentially, this is a futile debate. Make no mistake though, God still lives.

[GeCk0]

One of the things that makes this whole point moot is thus:

Has Fowler ever come out and said that he wants to be a part of the world cup team? I mean in the last month. I know that his autobiography states that he wouldn't mind representing his country, but seriously I think he has bigger fish to fry in his mind.

1) Representing ones country is something that is done by the young. Fowler ain't a spring chicken.
2) If you play games, it is hard to work on your conditioning and that is something that Fowler desperately requires.
3) If he doesn't really really want it, why bother? Fowler is a player who plays with passion. If he puts his mind to it, he'll do it. But if he's only going half-tank to save himself for Liverpool (which is the correct decision), whats the point?

Benitez wants to see the guy in pre-season. Fowler is going to want to give him the leanest, meanest, most passionate, most hungry goalscorer he can be. And that means physical conditioning and mental preparation.

[randy420]

It's not necessariliy done by the young. Look at Beckham, Sol Campbell and Gary Neville. They're not exactly the youngest players out there.

[matt12345]

fowler wasn't good enough when he was in his prime - he's only gotten fatter and slower since then.
sure he was. back then england wouldn't have a 20 year old in their side let alone as their sole hope. take a look at what robbie did over his first 5 years in the league and tell me he wasn't good enough. 129 goals in five seasons before that knee injury made him miss the world cup.

[darrenj]

Don't think Fowler is fit enough just yet - good thing he get's to concentrate on fitness during pre-season then ready to finish leading scorer in the league next season.....

[harithfakhrudin]

no way for heskey.

[matt12345]

another goal tonight. that 5 in 7 starts right. nice finish from the edge of the box. something heskey hasn't done all year.

[nmtb]

Fowler knows how to find the net. That's an intangible that few of the other possibles can claim. Enough of the pansy-assing in front of goal, waiting for the perfect shot, get a guy who sees and takes the slim chance. Fowler offers a variation to Owen and Rooney.

[safcmark]

the guy struggled to get into the England team even when he was in his prime, no way should he be taken...Ashton for England...if fit!

[Yiannis]

the guy struggled to get into the England team even when he was in his prime, no way should he be taken...Ashton for England...if fit!

I guess there is nothing worse to hear today,isn't there?

[stcronaldo]

the guy struggled to get into the England team even when he was in his prime, no way should he be taken...Ashton for England...if fit!

even tho fowler is not in his prime, he's still better than ashton and bent in prime

[safcmark]

even tho fowler is not in his prime, he's still better than ashton and bent in prime

i have to disagree with that. theres no question that Fowler of the 90's was better than Bent and Ashton are now, although in my opinion theres no way Fowler is better than either Ashton or Bent at this current time!

i believe if Ashton and Bent were not playing for there respective clubs and playing for say Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool or Newcastle then they would be in the squad.

[jlimty]

i believe if Ashton and Bent were not playing for there respective clubs and playing for say Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool or Newcastle then they would be in the squad.

If they were playing for those clubs they probably wouldn't get a game ;) Unless if it were Liverpool....... :D

[kuuze]

Imo... Nope...

[safcmark]

If they were playing for those clubs they probably wouldn't get a game ;) Unless if it were Liverpool....... :D

they would get bit parts as most strikers at these clubs do, none usually have a guarenteed place with a few exceptions. but I dare bet they would be still included in England squads

looks as though now though Svens answer is Theo Walcott... :D