Corey Brown is relishing the chance to work alongside Robbie Fowler and believes Saturday’s 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners is evidence the tide is turning for Brisbane Roar under the Premier League legend.
Brown – who was playing his second match back in the colours of Brisbane following his mid-season departure from Melbourne Victory – provided the match-winning moment for Roar after seeing his 86th minute effort take a deflection off Mariners defender Lewis Miller and wrongfoot ‘keeper Mark Birighitti.
It ensures the Roar leapfrog Adelaide United into sixth on the Hyundai A-League ladder, where they will remain until the Reds travel to fifth-place Western United on Sunday evening.
After a trying start to the campaign for ex-Liverpool striker Fowler, Brisbane have mustered a five-match unbeaten run and have won three of their last four fixtures.
“It was a really important win and hopefully we keep climbing,” Brown told FOX Sports.
READ: Brisbane enter top six as late own goal sinks Mariners
“We always go out to win the game and you saw the desperation a few times where we were blocking shots on the line.
“If you bring that desperation into the game, defending and attacking, you are going to win more games than you lose.”
“The first day I walked into his office and I sat down and it sort of hit me – it’s God,” Brown said of his chance to work under Fowler.
“It’s really good and we’re seeing the results now.”
Brown struggled for minutes and results at Melbourne Victory earlier in the season, winning just three starts under former coach Marco Kurz.
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Since joining Brisbane on January 17, with whom the fullback started his Hyundai A-League career in 2011, Brown has played full matches and helped Roar keep back to back clean sheets in 1-0 triumphs over high-flying Wellington Phoenix and the Mariners.
“I’ve still got a little bit to go in terms of match fitness. That’ll come as I play more games,” said Brown.
“I’ve kept myself in decent shape. We work hard at Melbourne Victory when I was there and when I wasn’t playing, I was working hard.
“I was able to come into the team pretty well so hopefully I can keep getting fitter the more games I play.”
Round 17
Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar
Friday, 31 January 2020
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Kick off: 6.30pm AEDT
Central Coast Mariners v Western Sydney Wanderers
Sunday, 2 February 2020
Central Coast Stadium
Kick off: 3.00pm AEDT