Star striker Robbie Fowler is hopeful his appearance and goal for North Queensland in Wednesday night’s clash with Wolverhampton will demonstrate how committed he is to the Fury cause this season.
On the back of reports suggesting his injuries would prevent him playing, along with a rapidly quashed story he was considering a move to Tranmere Rovers, Fowler came on in the 54th minute and converted a spot kick 13 minutes later to open his Fury account.
After Wolverhampton opened the scoring in Perth through Andy Keogh in the second minute, Fowler’s spot kick came about after Wolves skipper Jody Craddock brought down Jeremy Brockie in the area.
But Craddock atoned for his error, the defender rising high to nod home his side’s winner in the 74th minute, seeing Wolves finish their pre-season camp in Australia with victories over Perth Glory and North Queensland under their belts.
For Fowler, though, it was an encouraging start, the Liverpool legend warning rival clubs his fitness can only get better.
“Obviously (there’s) been various reports saying I won’t play again this season, so I think that will shut you people up,” Fowler said after the match, revealing his frustrations at being held back for the last two months.
“I’m experienced enough to know you go through your career and people do get injuries. I’m not the first, I won’t be the last. I’m just glad to be back playing (but) it’s not a relief, I always knew I’d come back.”
“It’s good for me to get back on the pitch. As you all know it’s been a bit of a frustrating time, but thankfully I lasted 30, 35 minutes which is good for me.”
North Queensland coach Ian Ferguson said Fowler’s fitness would be assessed ahead of Saturday’s pre-season clash with the Glory at Mandurah, the striker remaining a chance to play once again.
Despite some up and down pre-season form so far, Ferguson was also happy with his side’s efforts against Wolves, the Fury winning the crowd over with a gutsy display against their Premier League opponent, where they controlled large portions of the match.
“The effort and the commitment the boys put in, I thought they looked a bit nervous the first five, 10 minutes and then to lose a goal in the manner we did was disappointing,” Ferguson said.
“But they re-grouped and they showed a lot of determination, a lot of guts and played some really good football at times, so really pleased with them.”
“The last 10 minutes, I thought Wolves, they probably finished the stronger team, with a couple of efforts, one hit the post and I think one just flew by the post.”
“But apart from that, I was so pleased with the boys, they gave everything.”
Throughout his time in Perth, Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has repeatedly insisted the pre-season clashes are a means to an ends, developing his side’s fitness for what promises to be a gruelling Premiership season for the Championship winners.
But McCarthy was pleased with his trip Down Under, saying the squad achieved what it set out too.
“This was all about team building, team bonding, fitness a couple of games and it’s gone wonderfully,” McCarthy said.
“And, Robbie … He’s been a huge star of the Premier League, When he was fully fit and flying, in his pomp, there wasn’t many better than Robbie, he’s a fabulous footballer.”
Wolves head back to Molineux with a couple of injury concerns, however. Striker Chris Iwelumo has already had surgery on the metatarsal he broke in a 1-0 win over the Glory last Friday, while fellow striker Kevin Doyle (hip flexor) and defender George Elokobi (ankle) didn’t play against the Fury, although McCarthy insists this was just precautionary.
