Robbie Fowler out to alter perceptions around Brisbane Roar

Robbie Fowler believes Friday’s home game against Melbourne Victory will be significant in shaping opinion about Brisbane Roar.

Brisbane Roar coach Robbie Fowler oversees training at Suncorp Stadium in preparation for his side’s first home game of the season, against Melbourne Victory on Friday. Picture: AAP

Brisbane coach Robbie Fowler believes Friday’s first home game of the A-League campaign, against Melbourne Victory, will be significant in shaping opinion about the Roar.

Roar conceded a record 71 goals last season but were impressive in earning a point in their opening round against last season’s Premiers Plate winners Perth a fortnight ago.

Nine players in Roar’s starting XI made their Brisbane debut in that game and while Fowler said that introduction was a glimpse of what fans could expect, he argued that they had already changed perceptions since he’s taken charge.

“How important’s tomorrow? It’s massively important, but it’s as massively important as the first week as well,” the Englishman said.

“Performances and results last year they weren’t great but we’re a new team, new squad of players and everything about this current set-up is brand new.

“We can’t dwell on last year, just focus on what we can do to maybe alter people’s perceptions and … in the pre-season games, in the (FFA) Cup and the game last week I think people’s perceptions about where we are now has totally changed anyway.”

Fowler has a point if you ask Victory coach Marco Kurz, who described the Roar as “well organised, very solid and strong” based on his glimpses so far this season.

“They are compact, they are disciplined, they look much fitter than last season and it’s for me a good team,” Kurz said.

“They performed in a good way against Perth; also in the Cup they made a couple of good games and we must be well prepared to get some points from Brisbane back to Melbourne.”

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The Victory will arrive under a degree of early pressure after a draw and loss from their first two games.

But they have a stellar recent record at Suncorp Stadium, tallying 11 goals in wins from their past three visits.

Roar’s overhaul means Fowler can afford to disregard any historic form lines and he’s confident they will show plenty after a second-round bye.

“You want to do well, put on a bit of a show if you like,” he said. “I want to be a team that gets results, quite simply … we can all sugar-coat performances but it is a results business.” Journeyman Scott Neville will celebrate 200 A-League games in just his second appearance for the Roar, having shifted from Perth last season.

“They’re (Brisbane fans) going to see some entertaining football,” the defender said.

“We’re trying to bring excitement, win as many games as possible and I think the boss has instilled a winning mentality.”

Meanwhile, Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic is relaxed about his team’s winless start to the A-League season, saying the team’s new arrivals needed time to find their feet. Last year’s premiers have started their campaign with a pair of 1-1 draws, against Brisbane and newcomers Western United.

The Glory will back up last week’s visit to Geelong with an even longer away trip, travelling to Wellington to face the Phoenix on Sunday. While high-profile signing Bruno Fornaroli has commanded attention, Gregory Wuthrich, Osama Malik, Jacob Tratt and Kim Soo-Beom have also slotted straight into Perth’s line-up.

“I think they just need time,” Popovic said on Thursday. “There’s five to six new players on the pitch at the moment. The majority of those are in the backline, the majority of those players have hardly played in the last month.

“But you can see the first half of both games, there are really good positive signs there which is really encouraging.

“It’s also very pleasing that under fatigue in the second half in Melbourne we could come back. The character is really strong in this group.”

Ivan Franjic will return for Perth after missing the opening round through suspension and last week’s game with soreness.

Perth will start strong favourites against the bottom-placed Nix and Popovic said the increased expectation on the club was a good thing.

“Our players and fans are disappointed now when we get a draw away from home in Melbourne,” Popovic said.

“That shows how far we’ve come.

“We want to keep delivering the results and continue our hard work and hopefully the performances will increase in minutes, then ultimately I believe the results will follow.”

AAP