Can somone please explain what it is that makes these two so great. I've seen Viera play three times and to be honest, I wasn't very impressed. I know he is world class because I don't think he can get hyped up that much without being so, but can someone explain exactly what makes him so great. The same with Fowler. I've downloaded the clip of the fastest ever hat trick in premiership and he scored it against Arsenal. I know he's a great player, but I've only seen him play at this summer's world cup in the second half against Denmark. He didn't seem to be anything special. I realize that these are extremely unfair assessments of the two players and I'm not trying to knock on them, I'm just curious if someone could explain what they bring to the game.
Viera is the very model of a modern midfield general, if you'll excuse the dodgy dalliance with Gilbert & Sullivan. He is hugely athletic, fearless in the tackle, reads the game exceptionally well (vital for a defensive midfielder of any calibre, especially vital for any midfielder who, like Viera, has top billing in the total aspect of the midfield game). He is as comfortable striding forward to begin a raid as he is haring back to stop one, he has a mean shot, good use of both feet and scores goals. He is, in my opinion, the finest all-round midfielder in the world. Fowler? Well, he’s been going off the boil for years, mainly due to an unfortunate combination of injury and the emergence of Micheal Owen, but in terms of inate talent, it is finishing. Scoring goals. Making the net bulge. If your only view of him live is this summer’s World Cup, then you are to be forgiven for questioning his worth. He only got 45 minutes of action, in a game that was over by half time. The clip of his hattrick is a more accurate reflection of his talents. Basically, between the years 1993 and 1997 he was the best striker in the Premier League. And yes, that includes Alan Shearer. In fact, he is the only player currently still active to have emulated Shearer’s feat of scoring 30+ goals in three consecutive seasons. As someone who was privileged enough to have witnessed that amazing period of his career in the flesh, I can tell you with total certainty and no fear of any obvious bias that there is no finer instinctive finisher in the English game. Even now. His career has dawdled into a series of false dawns in recent years, his move to Leeds could yet be the latest in a lengthening line of such occasions, but if he does actually manage to pull it all back together again in a team like the one Leeds put out, then Blobby Growler is likely to be challenging for the golden boot in any season that he plays a full part in.
Thanks for the insight. I understood before a little better about Viera but was just wondering. And i truly never realized Fowler was so good, aside from hearing the whole "best natural scorer in English football".
Now now lets not talk nonsense. For those few years there Magic-Al was simply beyond compare. Back when he actually used to take on people and blast the ball in from outside of the area. People forget that he (Shearer) used to be lethal not only from anywhere inside the area but outside of it too. Fowler was a damn close second to Alan but there was just something about Shearer when he had speed, no fear about his ankles giving out and not to mention hair!
Fowler is the greatest striker I've ever seen. F'ing amazing. He can score from any place, in the box or out. He can create goals out of nothing. He's feared everywhere he goes, whether he's on a streak or not. He's capable of anything.
I think Robbie is an amazing natural finisher as well the game he played in that stands out in my mind was teh game against Man U when Cantona was coming back from his fan attack suspension and Robbie stole the show with 2 amazing goals anda great all around showing, maybe he should dye his hair blond again he seemed to grab great goals taht way I am going to have to put up a fight about the greatest tag though, I reserve that one for the one and only Jurgen Klinsmann who I have seen score more breathtaking goals than anyone in my life.
Matt Clark - My compliments on one of the finest written posts I've seen on BigSoccer, speaking only to the quality of your writing, not the substance of the post. And, of course, judging the writing only in the context of being a post on an internet bulletin board about soccer. Well done.
WOW! I was going to post a masterpiece but after reading your comments I have nothig to say. Well done!