Not even the 4300 kilometres separating Brisbane and Perth could adequately describe the disparity in interest between the Roar’s signing of Robbie Fowler and the Glory’s re-signing of Diego Castro.
One signing feels like a stab in the dark – a speculative punt forward in the hope the striker might avoid his defenders and find the back in the net.
The other is a much more calculated piece of business – the carefully considered pass through the eye of the needle to set up the perfect scoring opportunity.
Of course Fowler, a Liverpool legend and one of the A-League’s biggest-name foreign marquees, stole A-League headlines yesterday following his appointment as the Roar’s new head coach.
It is a curious move. Fowler has the badges, sure, but has shown no serious application of them in a professional sense.
Robbie Fowler (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
He takes on an unenviable task. Brisbane have one of the most unimpressive squads in recent memory.
Ange Postecoglou and his all-conquering sides of the 2010-13 are a distant memory, and the former Socceroos boss continues to cast a long shadow over Suncorp Stadium.
With no real understanding of his style or philosophy and an old, tired squad to work with, Fowler’s preseason will surely be an interesting one to follow.
In his defence, Fowler is well-versed in the A-League, having spent two seasons here as a player with the now-defunct North Queensland Fury and then the Perth Glory.
He will have a grasp of the peculiar rules and regulations which govern A-League squads and transfers, while his standing in the game overseas may well open up some interesting possibilities in terms of marquee and foreign signings.
But even if Fowler is ‘god’ to the Kop, his recruitment pales in significance compared to Glory’s re-signing of Castro.
While the Roar deal is more a speculative strategy as they begin to prepare for the new season, Perth and Tony Popovic are building on more solid foundations before their season is even finished.
(AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
The little Spaniard has been a revelation since arriving on the west coast from Getafe in La Liga back in 2015.
He has consistently been one of the A-League’s best players, and his exceptional performances for the Glory this season were duly rewarded with a two-year contract on the same day Fowler was unveiled in Brisbane.
Even at 36 years old, extending the Spanish magician’s stay in Perth was a no-brainer for Tony Popovic and the Glory.
Despite scoring just two goals this season, the Spanish marquee has been central to Popovic’s winning machine and could yet play a vital role in helping the Glory secure their first A-League championship.
While many felt this season would be Castro’s last in Australia and perhaps his last as a professional footballer, he has been reinvigorated by it.
Accompanied by the signing of former Melbourne City marquee Bruno Fornaroli and a number of other key re-signings, Popovic has shown a keen eye for the future despite the potential spoils of victory ahead of them this season.
Fowler will continue to steal the headlines, but it’s the likes of Castro who will truly make a tangible impact on Australian football.
Freddie
Guest
We all know why you are against Fowler Fadida. It's the colour of his passport. Gombau was fawned over by the masses here due to his links with Barcelona. He too had no real track record of success, other than in the microscopic Hong Kong League. Personally, whether Fowler succeeds or not is irrelevant at this moment in time. Fact is, he's brought a lot of publicity, and given he is Roar's choice, he should be given a chance. If he fails, sure, smash him to pieces. But he hasn't coached a single game for them yet.
David V
Guest
I don't know how this will turn out. I can understand the cynicism - no real managerial experience and someone who trades on being a globally-recognised name rather than coaching qualities, which seems to fit in with the mentality of Australian football and specifically the A-League. Any comparison with Gerrard or Lampard would be unfair - I'm sure both were already cutting their teeth before they felt they were ready for a big job, and both landed jobs where there is considerable pressure to perform.
Anthony Ferguson
Guest
Good to see the Glory looking forward for a change. ACL in mind.
Chopper
Guest
Well as a journalistic piece it failed miserably as the majority of discussion has been about Fowler and not many seem to be enthused about Castro's resigning. The article has highlighted the Tall Poppy syndrome that is apparent in Australia with the doomers being adamant Fowler will fail. So how do you manage success? Is it winning everything that it is possible to win no matter how you play? Is it rescuing a club from negativity and putting it back on a firm financial footing? Is it increasing the fan base and playing attractive football? Is it bringing youngsters through and giving them a opportunity of a career in football? The answer to all of these questions will eventually come out but immediately Fowler gives the existing fans hope, something that Aloisi never did.
Amazon
Roar Rookie
The appointment of Fowler says a lot about Brisbane Roar. At a time when it needs to rebuild & establish the club's credibility, it's takes a huge risk in its coaching selection. It will come to tears, but that's Brisvegas.
Gnasher
Guest
Will Robbie Fowler bring discipline, professionalism and energy to the Roar? Anyone who ever saw him waddling around in a snug-fit XXXL Manchester City shirt will doubt it. A disgrace to football and an insult to the fans.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Suggesting that there is a huge risk appointing a coach purely on his reputation as a player has clearly got under your skin Beach
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Some people need it simple Beach
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I get the impression Fowler will be a big failure. Castro getting another year is not as bad, but foolish. McBreen sounds like a fool as well. Success can be had on a budget in the A-league. One of the few leagues you can do that in these days.
Waz
Roar Rookie
“He now needs to be utterly ruthless“ Absolutely, if he’s not he will fail.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Both personalities are worthy of an article, I’m just not sure why they need to be contrasted that’s all. Castro will be 37 soon, is a routine player re-signing albeit a welcome one. But how many news outlets outside of Australia reported on it? Fowler on the other hand had nearly 1,000 world wide media outlets reporting the story on the night before the official announcement and many more the day of. He literally knocked the door down to every media outlet in Brisbane, not even a GF did that. Why the difference is simple - Fowler has achieved way more as a player than Castro, so why all the surprise? When Gerrard stepped in at Rangers there was no such fuss or knee jerk reaction to it across Scotland; so why do we have this angst? Whether Fowler is a risk is irrelevant, it’s because he’s newsworthy and that people are interested in his success (and his possible failure) that has caused this sensational coverage. He’s the latest in a long line of coaches Roar employed when others wouldn’t - Ange, Mulvey, Aloisi, now Fowler. It’s clearly a BRFC “thing”. It will be interesting to see if Fowler the coach is different to Fowler the media personality. Meanwhile, hopefully Castro grabs all the headlines in the finals. I’m sure he’ll take that.
Sam
Guest
@Beach.... gotta find something to talk about until the finals get here.
Beach
Roar Rookie
Fowler is unbeholden to anyone here. It’s a huge asset, agree. It was imperative that the club appointed a cleanskin. He now needs to be utterly ruthless.
Beach
Roar Rookie
Is he... Not sure I can would describe him that's way.
Beach
Roar Rookie
I personally love the fact that he doesn't remotely need the money.
Beach
Roar Rookie
Your other skill, Fad, is disingenuous oversimplification.
Beach
Roar Rookie
From past viewing you can also do a fine number in denial of reality when called upon – viz the ratings crisis and it’s ramifications.
Beach
Roar Rookie
Well speaking as a roar supporter who called Aloisi as a disaster from the start, I'm happy with Fowler in the job so let's hope I'm right this time too.
Beach
Roar Rookie
It's an article of dubious quality
Beach
Roar Rookie
If ever I saw a man in denial...