Fowler’s first chance to see what he’s inherited at Roar

Robbie Fowler will be in the stands at Suncorp Stadium tonight as the Roar look to end a disastrous season on a high note.

Roar players Jack Hingert and Stefan Mauk at Anzac Square in Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Robbie Fowler is still a month away from taking the reins at Brisbane Roar but his presence in the stands at Suncorp Stadium tonight could be just as significant as the Queenslanders look to end a disastrous season on a high note against Adelaide United.

With Brisbane coming off a demoralising 6-1 loss to the Newcastle Jets last week, 13 players coming off contract and a massive rebuild ahead of him, Fowler will get to see first-hand just what he has let himself in for next season.

Under normal standards it should be a simple case of the Reds turning up, getting the three points and then looking forward to a home semi-final next week and the chance to stay alive for the A-League title.

For Fowler, who has watched from afar since the Roar piqued his interest in coaching them, it will be a chance to make some evaluations and maybe soak up the size of the task that confronts him.

It would be an enormously difficult job for someone with years of experience behind them, let alone Fowler, who will be in his first season as a senior coach.

However, the Liverpool legend is nothing if not tenacious in his belief he can turn things around at a club that has seemingly lost its way over the past 18 months or so.

He will certainly expect some reaction from the players, given last week’s disturbing result.

Given his connections, Fowler will have access to a wide network of overseas players who will be keen to explore new opportunities and the chance to play under one of the highest profile people in world football.

Adelaide United attacker Craig Goodwin is wary of the effect someone like Fowler could have on the Roar, even if he isn’t coaching them tonight.

“It is always difficult to say how a team will back up after such a big loss the previous week, but we won’t be taking anything for granted against them,” Goodwin said yesterday.

“Yeah, they have nothing to play for in terms of the competition table but with Fowler watching they will all want to prove to the new coach that they deserve to be in his squad. They are fighting for contracts.

“We have to be on our game and be switched on.”

The huge incentive for Adelaide is that a win will sew up fourth spot and a home semi-final next week. A loss, however, will open the door for Wellington Phoenix, who play Perth Glory away on Sunday, to jump over them into fourth spot.

“The good thing is that we have our destiny in our own hands,” Goodwin said.

“We don’t want to be left sweating on the result of the Phoenix game, so we need to ensure we play to our best and take care of business against Brisbane.”

Adelaide have made a terrific surge in the latter half of the season, winning three of their past four games including a vital three points against Melbourne Victory last week. Importantly, they are starting to get some significant players back from injury, notably marquee attacker Baba Diawara, who has been out of action with a knee injury since round two.

Diawara has been included in tonight’s squad and, while he won’t start, he is expected to get a bit of game time at some stage so he can play a part in the finals.