Author Topic: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville  (Read 33652 times)

Offline Cpt_Reina

  • Vibranium goalie gloves.
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 14,606
  • YNWA
RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« on: December 15, 2014, 02:30:56 pm »
Happy 17th of December one and all!

Well, not quite ‘all’. Because whilst many of my fellow advent-ers might have sought to recall lovely, heartwarming and insightful tales of their youth and the goal which punctuated it most profoundly I am instead going to use this platform mostly as a means to have a pop at a certain Mancunian and his Danish minder. I might also have a swipe at a Frenchman who didn't know how to keep his feet, and temper, under control if we have time.

First of all we’re going to start with Monday night's premier whinger, son of Neville Neville, Gary.



What a twat.

Now, the above picture and act of knobery occurred some years after the goal in question, but it all serves to make up the rich tapestry of what makes this goal my favourite.

There were many moments of Gary Neville being a shit muncher over the years, one for every hair on his sparsely populated top lip, both before and after this particular goal was scored. They all add to the enjoyment to be taken from him being made to look like a prize prick.

See, before you all loved Neville for being able to point at things and talk he was best known for being this sort thing…



…and so who wouldn't enjoy him getting a bit of comeuppance?

Now that I’ve hopefully got some of the old fires burning regarding our friend Gary I’ll set the scene a little more.

It was 1995 and well, United were very good and Liverpool (mostly) were not. 9 months prior to this game Eric Cantona had decided that the best course of to get people to listen to his shite poetry was to kick a gentleman in the chest and then recite some at the following press conference.

The poetry was so bad that Cantona received a 9 month ban, a ban which by some strange twist of fate (Sky TV) made his return game fall on the day that Liverpool visited Old Trafford.

And so it was that King Eric was to finally take to the pitch again against United’s fiercest rivals, he managed to score one and make one too. Which was pretty good.

But if there’s one man even a king is beholden to, its God.

Robbie Fowler in 1995 was at the peak of his powers, that season he would score 28 league goals and 36 in total. Two of them came in this game at Old Trafford, the game which was meant to be about Cantona was gatecrashed and happily spoiled by Toxteth’s finest.

His first was an absolute rocket from his left foot. Its a wonderful goal, but it’s not my favourite.

Gary Neville gives a lovely matinée performance of his crowning glory which is yet to come however, by leaving the most deadly striker in the league with the freedom of his flank. He clearly learns his lesson from this does Gary as he gets much closer to Fowler later on…

Some time later Michael Thomas plays a ball down the same flank, this time Neville’s switched on he goes with Fowler’s run and he’s got the situation under control.

Just stand him up Gary. Be strong. Get goal side maybe?

(Easy this analysis lark actually Gary, can see why you enjoy it so much)

What Neville actually does is get a massive shoulder to send him sprawling and make him look like someone who's much better at talking about defending than he is at actually doing any defending.

Nevertheless though, Gary can usually count on his goalkeeper to get him out of trouble. Peter Schmeichel was huge back then (still is probably) and he absolutely hated being chipped. Teammates have told stories of attempting to chip him in training, Schmeichel saving said attempt and then booting the ball two pitches over for them to go and collect for even attempting to humiliate him thus.

Having Fowler delicately lift the ball over him, with his ‘weaker’ right foot no less, probably didn't do a lot for his mood after Fowler had already beaten him at his near post with a howitzer from his left.

And so that’s why I love this goal.

Fowler might have been a headed goal away from the ‘perfect hattrick’ but he gave us the hattrick of upstaging Cantona upon his return, humiliating Neville on his own patch and humbling the greatest goalkeeper of his generation.

Watch it below, then watch it again. It might help your rehabilitation after Sunday.

Merry Christmas!

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/l8v08SP0Lnc?fs=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/l8v08SP0Lnc?fs=1</a>

Online John C

  • RAWK Staff
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 42,043
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2014, 12:18:27 am »
This should be a popular one for you all. Enjoy :)

Offline tubby

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 25,082
  • Destroyed Cowboy
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2014, 12:26:41 am »
Loved that goal.  I'll never get bored of reading this:

Quote
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, who also played for Manchester City and Aston Villa, has named Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler as the best striker he faced during his spell in the Premier League. The former England international, who enjoyed spells at Manchester City, Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers, as well as two spells with Liverpool, is the fourth highest scorer in Premier League history.

The great Dane widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time, picked out the Anfield marksman as the striker he rated the best.  Schmeichel also suggested Mr. Ferguson would have signed Fowler, had he been given half the chance, because the Scot rated him that highly.

Schmeichel told talkSport Magazine: “Robbie Fowler was the best, he kept scoring, and we just didn’t know what do about it.”

“Had he had the chance, I’m pretty sure he (Ferguson) would have signed him on the spot because he rated him as the best striker in the league.”
Sit down, shock is better taken with bent knees.

Offline 4pool

  • Mr. ( last name) Minister Of Truth - 1984 to 1984. The first to do a Moyesed. A pore grammarist.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 52,738
  • Liverpool: European Capital of Football 2005/2006
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2014, 02:17:55 am »
God


 ;D


Either we are a club of supporters or become a club of customers.

Offline Ycuzz

  • of the wonderful things he does! I've soiled myself..
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 10,069
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2014, 06:46:47 am »
Brought an early morning smile that.

Thanks.
@Yvanicuzz

Offline paulrazor

  • Dreams of a handjob from Timmy Mallett. Chronicler of seasons past. Cares more than Prelude Nr 5, or does he? No chance of getting a banana at his house.
  • RAWK Scribe
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 28,556
  • Take me 2 the magic of the moment on a glory night
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2014, 09:23:06 am »
some brace that was

only disagree with us not being very good around 1995

we very much were. we played some excellent football. we should have slaughtered them. referee had a shocker.

what a striker fowler was
yer ma should have called you Paolo Zico Gerry Socrates HELLRAZOR

Online Crosby Nick

  • He was super funny. Used to do these super hilarious puns
  • RAWK Scribe
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 111,066
  • Poultry in Motion
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2014, 09:26:22 am »
Real shame they got a soft penalty to level it and give Cantona the headlines. Robbie absolutely stole the show that day. Think away fans were banned because of rebuilding work? The stage was set for the King and all that nonsense but he was upstaged by a higher power!

Two utterly ridiculous goals that were made to look easy against one of the best keepers in the world. The goal you wrote up is absolutely beautiful, definitely one of my favourites of his. The nonchalance of the finish is awesome. That 95/96 was definitely Robbie at his absolute peak I think.

Offline paulrazor

  • Dreams of a handjob from Timmy Mallett. Chronicler of seasons past. Cares more than Prelude Nr 5, or does he? No chance of getting a banana at his house.
  • RAWK Scribe
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 28,556
  • Take me 2 the magic of the moment on a glory night
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2014, 09:29:16 am »
Real shame they got a soft penalty to level it and give Cantona the headlines. Robbie absolutely stole the show that day. Think away fans were banned because of rebuilding work? The stage was set for the King and all that nonsense but he was upstaged by a higher power!

Two utterly ridiculous goals that were made to look easy against one of the best keepers in the world. The goal you wrote up is absolutely beautiful, definitely one of my favourites of his. The nonchalance of the finish is awesome. That 95/96 was definitely Robbie at his absolute peak I think.
good shout yeah. his goals, especially the second one, were just met with utter silence. first goal he smashed a camera! as you schmeichel was some keeper, to this day i will argue he is the best keeper i have ever seen. Second goal id literally forgotten how brilliant it was. probably because it was just normal to fowler.

between 1994- 1997 fowler must have scored 100 goals. he was at his peak then alright. he was still good after that but not 30 goals a season good
yer ma should have called you Paolo Zico Gerry Socrates HELLRAZOR

Offline Gnurglan

  • The Swedish Savaloy
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 35,517
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2014, 09:34:31 am »
Lovely!

Remember that game as well. Fowler scored some memorable ones! Have to admit the first thing that came to my mind while watching the video above was Suarez. That mix between the powerful shot for the first and then the awareness for the second. The ability to score all kinds of goals.

Another thing is... how the hell was that more than 19 years ago? It's not possible.

        * * * * * *


"The key isn't the system itself, but how the players adapt on the pitch. It doesn't matter if it's 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, it's the role of the players that counts." Rafa Benitez

Online Crosby Nick

  • He was super funny. Used to do these super hilarious puns
  • RAWK Scribe
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 111,066
  • Poultry in Motion
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #9 on: December 17, 2014, 09:36:38 am »
good shout yeah. his goals, especially the second one, were just met with utter silence. first goal he smashed a camera! as you schmeichel was some keeper, to this day i will argue he is the best keeper i have ever seen. Second goal id literally forgotten how brilliant it was. probably because it was just normal to fowler.

between 1994- 1997 fowler must have scored 100 goals. he was at his peak then alright. he was still good after that but not 30 goals a season good

Yeah he scored his 100th against Middlesbrough in December 96, what's that, just over 3 years after his debut at Fulham? I had that 'Fowler's Hot 100' video showing all his goals, must have played it to death!

"You're looking at a goal scoring genius"

Offline paulrazor

  • Dreams of a handjob from Timmy Mallett. Chronicler of seasons past. Cares more than Prelude Nr 5, or does he? No chance of getting a banana at his house.
  • RAWK Scribe
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 28,556
  • Take me 2 the magic of the moment on a glory night
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #10 on: December 17, 2014, 09:36:41 am »
Another thing is... how the hell was that more than 19 years ago? It's not possible.
seems short in some ways

in others it seems a lifetime ago
yer ma should have called you Paolo Zico Gerry Socrates HELLRAZOR

Offline kavah

  • the Blacksmith. Definitely NOT from Blackpool!
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 19,634
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #11 on: December 17, 2014, 09:53:12 am »
^ thanks fella - great pick - Robbie at his best

Offline Harinder

  • RAWK Star. Top Kharbooja. Heat-Sikhing Missile Launcher. Purveyor of burning bushes, interpreter of dreams, provider of Egyptian travel before the age of 30, and saviour of RAWK. Also he has a beard.
  • RAWK Staff
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 7,703
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #12 on: December 17, 2014, 10:24:17 am »
Awesome goal and brilliant write up :)
Just clicked on the main board and my virus scanner came back with this

"When we visited this site, we found it exhibited one or more risky behaviors."


:lmao

Strip his knighthood https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/47770

Online BoRed

  • BoRing
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 14,775
  • BoRac
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #13 on: December 17, 2014, 10:34:56 am »
From the title, I was expecting this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XOTBoElvRE

"Gary Neville has fallen" ;D

Offline Maggie May

  • A true Grandmother of Sirs. The Next Vera Lynne. The Pigeon Queen. Lobster Botherer Knockout Champ. RAWK's favourite gog. Belshie Gets Hard For Her. Call that a knife??
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 18,249
  • Nemo me impune lacessit. Semper Fi
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #14 on: December 17, 2014, 11:27:23 am »
Thank you for that excellent piece.  Golden days. 
Rather a day as a lion than a lifetime as a sheep.

I can only be nice to one person a day.  Today is not your day.  Tomorrow doesn't look too good either.
I tried being reasonable.  I didn't like it.  Old enough to know better.  Young enough not to give a fuck.

Offline Aristotle

  • is a bugger for the bottle. Apache tool wielder extraordinaire - especially in wardrobes. The 'Oral B' Specialist.....brushes his cavities vigorously outdoors.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 14,438
  • Happiness depends upon ourselves
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #15 on: December 17, 2014, 01:41:35 pm »
Think this technically counts as the first official game I had as a Liverpool fan. A week earlier I'd seen Fowler put 4 past Bolton and thought "if he can do it I can play for Liverpool too" thinking his hair somehow made him a less-than-excellent player. Beautifully written
My twitter
If Harry can get Spurs to the CL 1/4 final then he could get England to the World Cup final.

Offline Mr_Morosoph

  • Moaning bed wetter, cry wanks for Torres
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,479
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #16 on: December 17, 2014, 02:01:35 pm »
Will never love a player as much as I loved Fowler, no matter how good they are.
"I was pleased also with Peter Crouch. We have been talking to him, before and after his nose operation, to show more confidence with his heading.
 
"Now it seems to have worked. Lets say that if he has a few games without scoring again, maybe we should arrange to break his nose again."

Rafa.

Offline kennedy81

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 24,222
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #17 on: December 17, 2014, 02:42:05 pm »
Fowler was just outrageously good. Every time I look back at some of his goals they just get better and better.

Offline Hinesy

  • RAWK Editor. Giving it BAFTA’s. 57'sy. Caramel log dealer and comma chameleon. Tory Totty Tonguer
  • RAWK Staff.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 20,311
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #18 on: December 17, 2014, 03:21:25 pm »
ta. ;D
Yep.

Offline Cpt_Reina

  • Vibranium goalie gloves.
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 14,606
  • YNWA
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #19 on: December 17, 2014, 03:31:39 pm »
Fowler was just outrageously good. Every time I look back at some of his goals they just get better and better.

Think it adds something when you look back at these players, and goals, when we're struggling to put the ball in the net.

It can be tempting to look back at such moments of genius and just think 'well that's Fowler, that's what he does'.

But I don't think there's anyone in the current squad who could have scored that goal, not even Sturridge. I love Sturridge like, but I find it hard to convince myself that he has firstly the level of aggression to shove Neville out of the way and secondly the cuteness in his weaker right foot to lift it over Schmeichel.

It really makes you take a step back and appreciate how special it is to see players like Fowler/Torres/Suarez and the many others at the very peak of their powers when you're watching Borini and Lambert every week.

Offline Maggie May

  • A true Grandmother of Sirs. The Next Vera Lynne. The Pigeon Queen. Lobster Botherer Knockout Champ. RAWK's favourite gog. Belshie Gets Hard For Her. Call that a knife??
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 18,249
  • Nemo me impune lacessit. Semper Fi
Re: RAWK Advent Calendar 2014 #17 Robbie Fowler vs Gary Neville
« Reply #20 on: December 17, 2014, 04:19:23 pm »
Think it adds something when you look back at these players, and goals, when we're struggling to put the ball in the net.

It really makes you take a step back and appreciate how special it is to see players like Fowler/Torres/Suarez and the many others at the very peak of their powers when you're watching Borini and Lambert every week.

Yes.  It sort of eases the pain a little doesn't it?
Rather a day as a lion than a lifetime as a sheep.

I can only be nice to one person a day.  Today is not your day.  Tomorrow doesn't look too good either.
I tried being reasonable.  I didn't like it.  Old enough to know better.  Young enough not to give a fuck.