When you say “it’s the last straw” what do you mean? 

Can't be worse but yeah already flopping in Oz, 46 games and 21 goals in the second tier of Scotland before coming to Australia not exactly a saving grace. He has an eye for goal though. He has also bagged in goals at a decent level which is a positive. 

It's a tricky situation, finding players with all visa spots taken up. It's not exactly like Fowler has a bunch Australian strikers that can turn the season around. He has made it hard for himself. Can't even pluck any types of Mclaren or Taggart or Petros' out of the wilderness lol can't think of any. 

McDonald and Muratovic doesn't sound too bad. In terms of prospects having Muratovic and DWH in the squad is good. I guess McDonald-Muratovic, Holloway come off the bench adding a different approach/outlet in the final 20?

Mauk , .DWH and Mells all playing youth today 

Agreed. I think Roar would be better at 3-4-3 than 3-5-2 with the players he’s now got 

I'd rather McDonald than ROD any day. 

We are about half way through season and ROD hasn't  fired. so hes a bench for me now. 

Maybe thatll take pressure off him, maybe not. 

replaced one old fart with another, congrats :laugh:

Don't want harp on the past but Macca would've killed under Ange and I guess Mulvey for that season as well. 

For me personally in terms of any engagement with the club I have supported since game 1 of the A League until Fowler is gone. 

And yes, I to pre-empt you, I should and will withdraw from the the Orange Army thread. 

Genuine best wishes for the new year. 

And to you too. 

You do great work, and I hope the club values your passion and commitment as much as your fellow Brisbane supporters do. And that includes me. 

There are plenty who are not Roar supporters who pass through here.

We can all hope that as the season progresses Roar can give you a reason to come back into the orange.

Great to see some brotherhood here. What's happening  here is quite awful. Senior players questioning Fowlers decisions. 
His an arrogant individual who will do whatever to get his way. Brisbane have made a questionable decision in hiring him. 
I feel for you.

Going through during Melbourne Hearts years had some tough times. And the Joyce era is one of the worst in aleague history imo.
Even during the Aloisi years you guys had doesn't compare even close to the 19 game winless streak we had under him. And the Joyce tenure was like gouging out or own eyeballs. 
Considering that Brisbane has had it pretty good over their time I'm wondering why are you quitting so easily charlied? 

Do we know if the Corey brown rumour of coming back in January is still true? 

Hope not. 

Apparently not true

You have to wonder what is happening when our supposed star play of last year ,Mauk,is now playing in the NYL .
A player who has played and won a Grand Final is there too.(Mells) He still hasnt got one game.
A player who stormed onto the scene scoring goals last season and has always looked good playing out of position this year is playing NYL.
Are these the guys who are at fault?
All the visa players are playing still,so you can only assume the visa players are doing great and its Mauk and DWH who are the reason we are struggling.

Then we have the issue of why Macca is coming.He is on his last legs and will be retired pretty soon.Sometimes age catches up and his form at WU shows it.Just as it has for Meier at WSW.
IF RF thinks he will get 90mins per game out of Macca's slow stubby legs in summer ,he has been in the sun too long.

I fear we will end up with our best young Aussie players being dispatched for pensioners and this motley crew of very average Visa players.

It has been proven time and time again that quality is so important when it comes to foreign recruiting.If only clubs could get their brains around the concept.

I would rather less imports if it meant they were better quality.
Maybe make a high minimum spend on Visa players to filter out the rubbish that just blocks our youth.

Mells was part of the 15/16 Championship team also 25 games fourteen starts under Amor. Stefan and Mells where the youngest players. 

I’d be very surprised if either were at Roar next year even though Mells has got 18mths and Mauk 30 mths left on their contracts.
Only way they could stay is if Fowler goes and that’s unlikely.

I can’t recall many (any?) people saying Mauk was a star player when he was signed last year? From memory he was seen as a very underwhelming signing so let’s not reposition him 

He’s played 9/11 games this season for an average of 85 minutes per game - what do you think of his performance this season? 

Mauk is frustrating. A wasted talent. Definitely should've kicked on after playing a huge role in our title-winning season but like Kamau has regressed badly. For me his biggest problem is his attitude (and going to the wrong clubs - playing under Joyce, Aloisi and RF isn't going to unlock his potential). Mells I never rated (along with the overwhelming majority of AU fans) but as 90 Minutes said, Amor rated him pretty highly so I think there's potential and he's still young. 

I'm also a fan over quality over quantity when it comes to imports. BR have used up foreign spots in positions that local players would've done a better job. Could easily just have signed one top quality foreign striker and a couple of midfielders, and filled the rest of the team with locals. 

MCD had scored goals at a higher level than ROD but will that show dividends now that he's older. 
He has the experience, but can his legs make profit of that experience. 
Toivonen is bit younger, yes,  but he is also not the fastest, but his experience and influence has been massive for Victory. 

McD is very strong on the ball and maybe that primarily is what RF has in mind. 
I'm not saying this is a wonder signing at all but who knows with young forwards at the Roar MCD maybe the mentality that can help. 
I don't like ROD mentality but ok was prepared to give him benefit of doubt. I do think now that his time is up, and id question his attitude. To the bench ROD. 
My thinking is that MCD is s direct replacement for ROD, not necessarily in position but what he may bring to the team on the field. 
It remains to be seen as always. What I do like is RF is making changes. Aloisi didn't that much. 
RF has selected a young Aussie kid and given him 2 full games, that's great and shows a preparedness to try something different. And gotta say it paid dividends. 

For once I agree with Jeggo, 

my thinking is spend big on two class players and fill test with aussies. 

We just dont have that one class player, O'Shea comes close maybe and with one more that can have a similar effect on the game he'd probably be better.

heres hoping MCD can effect the game, if so Lose ROD and sign a DECENT import!

I can’t fault Fowler for his willingness to make changes. He subs early, drops players, gives youth a run, and looks prepared to sign players to create competition. He’s 6 points off third place and 3 points off the wooden spoon - the next month will tell ya which way he’s going. 

It’s pretty obvious Roar aren’t spending the $1.5m/year on two marquees - is that by choice or Bakries instructions? 

If u had to guess you'd say Bakries instructions. 

So can you blame RF 100% for that. 

Dont think so really. 

Its their cash not RF's. 

When was the last time we signed anyone with serious s pedigree. 

You cant count Broich....he was unknown when he came. 

Eric. 

We have been asking Fong for a fan forum to ask that very question, and while he’s said “yes” to the forum it’s proving very hard to nail him down to a date.