Fowler grows in confidence

Fowler beats the defence for England's second goal

Robbie Fowler hopes his first competitive goal for England will kickstart a troubled season.

The Liverpool striker sealed the World Cup win over Albania at St James' Park on Wednesday after coming on as a second-half substitute for club team-mate Emile Heskey.

"It was so nice to see that goal go in," Fowler said.

"I've not had the greatest of starts to this season - I am a confidence player, and when things are on top of me it does tend to get me down a bit.

It was a fantastic goal - there is no one better in front of goal than Robbie Fowler

Michael Owen

"But things like that goal do give me a little bit of a boost, and I hope things can go on from there."

A training-ground row with club coach Phil Thompson has seen Fowler play only a peripheral part in the Reds' start to the season.

However, his club and country team-mates Michael Owen and Nick Barmby were quick to boost his confidence on Thursday.

Owen said: "It was a fantastic goal. There is no one better in front of goal than Robbie Fowler.

"But strikers do need confidence and, when you score goals, it gives you as much confidence as doing anything."

Barmby said: "I'm really pleased Robbie got his goal. He is a different class. Everyone knows that.

"Goalscorers need to play, and Robbie is no different. But he is a top man, and I enjoy working with him."

Ferdinand clears more Albanian pressure

Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand were two more England players to take heart from solid performances against Albania.

The centre-back pairing attracted criticism for their unconvincing start in the 5-1 defeat of Germany in Munich and know they still have much to learn.

"We're both young players," said Ferdinand. "As a team in general we've still got a lot to learn, and the more games we play together, the more cohesion we'll see."

Campbell added: "Things are coming together. It's just about training and learning and working together. It takes time."

However, Ferdinand is not underestimating the size of the challenge of beating Greece next month to guarantee a place at the finals in Korea and Japan.

"Greece are a solid side and it's going to be tough," he said, "but we've got players more than capable of doing the job against them."