Saturday’s 5-1 defeat to Sydney FC was Brisbane heaviest A-League defeat so far under new coach Robbie Fowler.
Brisbane coach Robbie Fowler concedes his team’s 5-1 pasting against Sydney FC has given him an indication of where they sit in the A-League pecking order.
The Roar had no answers for a classy Sky Blues attack that extended their lead atop the table by five points courtesy of the four-goal rout in Kogarah.
“It’s a real eye-opener for us,” Fowler said post-game.
“We know what we’ve got to do. We know where we need to be at. And this season, we have been okay, we really have. But for 45 minutes, we wasn’t there.”
Brisbane entered the clash having appeared to put a disastrous start to the campaign behind them with two wins in their past three outings.
However, Fowler’s men fell back to earth with a thud, with their defence opening up too easily on their way to conceding three goals by halftime.
The Roar found some resistance after the break but gave up two goals on the counter late in the match before claiming a consolation goal.
It is their easily their heaviest defeat so far under the new coach.
“It’s a real wake-up call for us,” Fowler said.
“When you are playing against top quality players – as we have done (Saturday night) – then if you’re not on song, then it’s going to be a long night.
“We (had) 45 minutes of poor play. I wouldn’t sit here and throw my players under the bus, because I think they’ve given us everything this year.
“But that 45 minutes shouldn’t be acceptable for anyone, for any manager.”
The loss means Brisbane miss their chance at moving into the top six, and instead drop to just one spot above last-placed Central Coast in 10th spot.
“It’s my job and my staff’s to pick them up and we go again. There’s nothing else we can do. We’ll take this on the chin, we’ll learn from it, we will,” Fowler said.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
You can't play a high line without pressure on the ball. Basic coaching theory, regardless of your name and saying reputation. They got slaughtered and he failed to adjust
Nemesis
Guest
"How about not set your defensive line so high and get pressure on Baumjohann?" Fowler said that he instructed the team to do exactly what you suggested. But they didn't execute the instructions. Do we believe him? I do. If you and I can identify that needs to be done, there's no reason to think a coach who has proper qualifications plus street smarts from being one of the best players in the world, playing under tactically astute managers, would be unaware. In the 2nd half, Brisbane executed the tactics well.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Yep, a series of training drills around keeping possession
Fadida
Roar Rookie
One cliche after another. Work hard, take it on the chin, learn from it... How about not set your defensive line so high and get pressure on Baumjohann? It's not hard work that's the issue, but recruits that have failed to impress and tactics which involve going back and across the defence for most of the game. Possession without a purpose. Perhaps if Fowler spent less time arguing every decision with the 4th official he'd analyse the game better and adjust. They were absolutely thrashed. His tactics played a big part
stu
Guest
Some measured comments from the coach with particular note that he did not criticise certain players as he has done in the past. Well done. Fowler now needs to find solutions. Performance on game day seems to be an extension of basic training sessions. I can't help but think the collective team does not know how to control and adjust against the opposition. It literally appears to be a training session with no intelligence, forward thinking towards an end result. I am baffled.