Robbie Fowler has jumped to the defence of Steven Gerrard, insisting his former team-mate and close friend has the character and ‘balls’ to get it right at Villa.
The manager of the Midlands club has come under intense pressure at the start of the new campaign following three defeats in their first four games, and just seven wins in their last 25 matches. That came after he removed the armband from popular captain Tyrone Mings just before the start of the season, and then dropped the centre half, with some strong words aimed in the England man’s direction.
That angered many fans, but Fowler, who has managed several clubs himself, believes it was a show of defiance and courage from Gerrard, that says he is strong enough to turn things around at Villa Park. And he pointed to the ruthless focus in the treatment of players to get exactly what they want from top managers such Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, as evidence he is in good company.
