Brisbane Roar were in need of divine intervention when it came to defending last season – so it is perhaps no surprise that Robbie Fowler has overseen a successful rebuild of the club’s leaky back line.
Fowler inherited a defensive ruins which conceded a staggering 71 goals in 27 matches last campaign, officially the Hyundai A-League’s worst-ever defensive record.
But the Premier League striking legend, who made his name by tearing defences asunder for Liverpool, has since proved he isn’t half bad at constructing them from the managerial dugout.
Roar have conceded 24 goals in 21 matches this season, a record only bettered by third-placed Wellington Phoenix (23 in 20 matches), reigning Premiers Perth Glory (22 in 20 matches) and reigning Champions Sydney FC (15 in 19 matches).
It is not a bad tally for the Queenslanders, especially considering a third of those goals conceded arrived in two matches – a 4-3 win over Melbourne City in November, and a 5-0 defeat to Sydney in December.
Tom Aldred has been the lieutenant of this impressive rebuilding job. But the club skipper says Roar’s improvement at the back comes as no surprise.
“In pre-season I could feel we had the foundations of a good defensive structure,” he said.
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“Not just the back three, five or even the two in midfield but the whole team. I could feel that we were defensively solid and as time's gone on, we've built good relationships all over the pitch and that poses good defensive structure.
“We just have to keep going, striving to improve because we can always get better. In any team you want to have strong foundations, keep cleans sheets and you'll give yourself the opportunity to win games.”
With Brisbane now firm favourites for a top-six berth, the challenge of Newcastle Jets – and a reunion with former striker Roy O’Donovan – lies next up for the three-time Champions.
Fowler signed O’Donovan last June, but the charismatic Irishman made just 12 appearances for Roar and lost his status as first-choice striker before returning to Newcastle.
“We're well aware of Roy's threats which he does have,” Aldred said.
“We'll have to be ready for that defensively. But after the game we'll have a chat with him and I'm sure we'll crack some banter because he was a good lad was Roy and he's another player I'm looking forward to playing against."
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