Robbie Fowler Fatter Than Pauline Fowler

Blobby Fowler

For all those of us who continually pointed out he carried almost as many pounds on his body in weight as he did in his bank with money and remarked as how unfit and slow he was with Cardiff City, just take a look at Robbie Fowler now he's arrived in Australia. They say the camera never lies, it's pretty clear that Fowler's body doesn't either.


This is the guy Dave Jones was retain for Cardiff's Premiership assault this season and whom he believed would score 20 goals. Even though he was a guy who treated his time at Ninian Park with little more than contempt in my eyes and completely ruined my previously favourable view of him for his exploits down the years ... even if I thought he had prematurely lost it and been in decline for 6 years before arriving at Ninian Park.


Five months in the Premiership with Blackburn Rovers followed by 5 more months seemingly as a couch potato (or should thta be couch chips?) at home means Fowler has a major battle to get himself into any sort of shape even to compete in Australian football. It surely underlines how Dave Jones and Cardiff City had a very lucky escape.

This Report Comes from the Australian Daily Telegraph

"Robbie Fowler a 'God' in weighting"

By John Taylor - The Daily Telegraph - April 30 - 2009

ROBBIE Fowler, one of the biggest-name footballers to sign for an Australian club, already has tongues wagging - not about his exploits for Liverpool but his body shape.

The man they still call 'God' in Merseyside has three months to go to get himself in good physical condition before he makes his debut as North Queensland Fury's marquee player in the A-League.

As our picture shows, Fowler could be mistaken for one of the characters in the SBS TV series Nerds FC. But he is actually training with the Fury.

Fury coach Ian Ferguson insists his prized capture is not overweight. "He's fine. He's got no problem with his weight," he said yesterday.

Since his second spell with the Reds came to an end against Charlton on May 13, 2007, Fowler has played limited football with Cardiff City and Blackburn.

Despite Fowler's magnificent goalscoring feats in the English Premier League, Ferguson has made it clear to him that playing in the A-League certainly won't be a stroll in the park.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25404514-5006068,00.html

Game Over for Fowler ... he's off to Oz!

Robbie Fowler the player who ungratefully walked out on Cardiff City last summer causing a curious reaction of anger amongst Bluebirds fans combined with extreme relief that we had rid ourselves of him will now cause more Fury ... as he's joining new Australian A-League side North Queensland Fury.

(Fowler and his XXL City shirt - right)

Fowler's time with City was jinxed with injury and a lack of fitness, clearly a considerable investment had gone wrong. Even so, Dave Jones wished to retain the player for this season and he had verbally agreed to stay but then bailed out on the eve of the season to join Blackburn on a trial basis for a last fling with the Premiership.

He managed a couple of appearences but showed that he wasn't up to the demands at that level, no surprise when he hadn't operated successfully in the Championship either, and was shown the exit door there in December. He was faced with the choice of lower league football or an up and coming foreign league and has opted for Oz although by the time their season starts in late summer, he'll have barely played for 2 years.

North Queensland Fury are a new team who will join the A-League as it expands from eight to ten teams as a so-called Marquee player whose salary is exempt from the salary cap in that league, glad he's someone else's problem then.

Fowler came up with the sort of football-speak that we had also when he joined Cardiff, "I had nothing but good things to tell my family about the football side of things and the lifestyle opportunities North Queensland can offer us. From a football perspective, everything Fury coach Ian Ferguson put on the table and showed me was first class and the enthusiasm and drive of everyone at the club is fantastic. It's a huge decision for my family but it's also an opportunity to continue my football career in a truly wonderful part of the world,"

Good Luck to him ... and them!

Now who's laughing Robbie? Fowler in talks with Grimsby

Walking out on Cardiff City pre-season after agreeing a new contract and the club spent a year giving the player the very best around the world treatment for injuries was always going to make Robbie Fowler a hate figure, even if many like myself didn't want him to stay anyway and glad to see the back of him really but news emerges that the player's last fling with the Premiership may be dying as he is in talks with League Two Grimsby about a player coach role.

You like Fishing Robbie? F'off to Grimsby then

Fowler has had 3 Premiership outings - two as substitute - totalling 102 minutes at Blackburn but with the club under Paul Ince currently in the bottom two and looking every inch a relegation side, the player's short-term contract is due for renewal this month and his future there has to be shrouded in doubt. Grimsby are battling to stay in the Football League but fortunes have improved under Mike Newell, a friend of Fowler's.

He could stay, he could go, he could be using Grimsby for something else which wouldn't be the first time he's pulled a stunt like that. Still, how the mighty fall eh?

A tale of two former City strikers

Michael Chopra says a few words about his recent personal hell
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/10/26/ex-city-player-tells-of-his-hell-91466-22117918/

Robbie Fowler puts his Cowbridge property up for sale, hoping to make money while prices crash
Fowler’s counting on a home victory
WalesOnline

FOWLER SET TO SIGN ON AT BLACKBURN

It is being reported that Cheeky Scouse Scamp Robbie Fowler is to seal a short-term contract until Christmas by Premiership side Blackburn Rovers and could well feature in their squad to face Arsenal this weekend.

Fowler disgracefully walked out on Cardiff City this summer in favour for training at Blackburn after agreeing a 1 year deal at Ninian Park.

Fan reaction in Blackburn was muted with reports of Fowler looking as slowly, lazy and unfit - just as many observed him at Cardiff wondering why we were offering him a new deal anyway.

Incredibly, Fowler - via his agent - approached Peter Ridsdale a fortnight ago asking if the offer was still available. He was given a curt response. The thought had crossed my mind that Fowler was once again using City. If we had said yes, it would have been perfect leverage for him to get a better offer from Blackburn who, initially, were offering a week-by-week deal.

All I can say is Blackburn and Ince must be desparate to want Robbie. I really expect to see him do absolutely nothing there.

CHEEKY SCOUSE GIT ASKS CITY TO TAKE HIM BACK

CITY DON'T WANT YOU

WE DON'T CARE

It should be unbelievable, but somehow it was highly believable but surreal, that Robbie Fowler came crying asking for Cardiff City to take him back. The cheek of the ****!

Fowler, after being highly rewarded, given round the world treatment and round the clock rehabilitation showed his gratitude towards this club and a manager who stood by him throughout in Dave Jones by walking out on City this summer after agreeing a new contract in favour of training, and the forlorn hope of a contract, in the Premiership with Blackburn Rovers.

City fans were mostly glad to see the back of him as most, myself definitely included, just didn't believe he was up to the job at all. His best was several years ago and it's a continual decline since. However we felt aggrieved by the way he treated the club.

Blackburn, even though his manager is his mate (Paul Ince), have now realised that as well and offered Fowler a weekly contract only.

After leaving his missus for a mistress, Fowler has now belatedly realised his mistake and asked City to take him back with his nauseous agent sending an e-mail, not even he had the bottle to ask over the phone or face to face which says everything. City's reply, via Peter Ridsdale, was apparently a curt 'no thanks' - I would also have used 7 letters but probably have said F*** O**!

Fowler already knows no other top two division club wants him and he may now opt for the low profile, but rewarding, life in Dubai or similar.

Enjoy your fortune Robbie but good riddance and thanks for no memories you muppet!

South Wales Echo story

Cardiff City say no to cheeky Fowler

.

LEAVE MY POOR ROBBIE ALONE says DAVE JONES

City boss Dave Jones has made scathing comments about Cardiff City supporters expressing their angwer and dismay at the way Robbie Fowler has dumped the club where he verbally agreed to sign a new contract in favour of training only ahead of a possible short-term deal at Blackburn.

Fowler: You expect me to wear this again? F**k that, I'm off!

On the one hand, I think Jones has a point. The CardiffCity.com messageboards have been awash with no holds barred flak towards Fowler, much of it coming from fans who didn't want him to be offered a new contract or to stay anyway. In that sense, their comments are contradictory and hypocritical.

On a personal level, I am delighted Fowler is off the club's books - even if it took him to leave City than the club to realise enough was enough.

However, the flip side of the argument is that DJ has failed to show any understanding why supporters should express their feelings on a poor episode and the behaviour of Fowler plus his agent. He may not agree with it but he should be realistic enough to appreciate why Cardiff City fans will have their fully justified views.

Here's the article from WalesOnline

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2008/07/14/time-to-leave-robbie-alone-jones-tells-fowler-critics-91466-21334406/

fowler in the papers

Robbie Fowler is Blackburn bound
Cardiff left reeling by shock Fowler move
Robbie Fowler turns his back on Cardiff City
South Wales Echo

Fowler leaves Cardiff
Sky News

FEELINGS OF RELIEF AND ANGER AS ROBBIE FOWLER SH*TS ON CARDIFF CITY FOR BLACKBURN

According to the dictionary, an ENIGMA is "a person of puzzling or contradictory character" while USELESS is "not serving the purpose or any purpose; unavailing or futile" and PROCRASTINATE translates as "To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness".

GUESS YOU NOW KNOW MY FEELINGS ABOUT 12 MONTHS OF ROBBIE FOWLER AT CARDIFF CITY.

The media fell for it hook, line and sinker last summer with daily, the flattery of City being linked with an "audacious" move for such a player and, to be fair, many fans got sucked in too by "God" becomign a City player. If he's God, it only affirms why I'm a happy atheist who only worships at the Church of Ninian Park!

When Fowler eventually signed, far too late into pre-season and weeks of messing around, replica shirt sales with the name Fowler on the back were the ultimate fashion statement in Cardiff. Many fans, myself included, wanting to point out Fowler had been a player in decline - and injury - for 7 years since his mid-20's were stampeded and thought of as churlish.

Fowler had his debut in a pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad and could barely move, he showed one vintage touch and then went off injured and wasn't ready to start the season. He next showed up against Torquay and was always going to look classy in that company but it looked like Cardiff had 10 men playing competitive football and one - Fowler - who looked as if he was in a testimonial or Masters Football.

In September/October'07, Fowler had his one and only patch (temporary) of form as he scored doubles against a weakened West Brom in the Carling Cup and then against Preston in a live Sky game but two of them were penalties and his 6 goal tally for City featured 3 spot kicks. Fowler was injured again but did manage 10 minutes against Bristol City before Xmas, that was the last we saw of Robbie on the pitch for City.

While the overwhelming majority of fans had given up on him and hoped a severance deal would be sorted out - manager Dave Jones even attacked David Giles for having the temerity to suggest it in the media - The Bluebirds supplemented the £25k a week (upto that figure) reputedly being paid in wages for Fowler (even if the club were denying this) by sending him to Germany and America for radical career-saving treatement for injuries to both hips.

The club invested in Fowler like no other player but I doubt Fowler himself ever had any appreciation of it. At the season's end, supporters again felt it was time to cut ties and regard it as a failed gamble but, for the second summer running, the backdrop was a "will he, won't he" sign for City saga. Only Dave Jones and Peter Ridsdale seemed keen to keep him opening talks, meeting him in Dubai, offering a pay-as-you-play contract and then negotiating away in a manner that would not consider for anyone else.

His agent was as evasive as ever but insisted there was a deal to be done but you knew he would spin the dice until the very last second. Just yesterday, Dave Jones announced to the media that Fowler would be re-signing for City. He is also on record for saying he felt Robbie would offer us 20 goals this season ... please stop sniggering, especially as Fowler has not offered 20 games for most of the past 8 seasons!

I'm afraid Jones and Ridsdale were caught out and let down but their wanderlust for Fowler who later had an approach from Paul Ince to take a 1 year deal at Blackburn letting both down at a time when their stock is diminishing with unimpressive summer singings, no sign of spending as promised after last season's bonanza, the cock up over Hasselbaink's contract and revelations of Ridsdale's earning.

As for Robbie, in fairness, it's a good move and I couldn't care less he's left us. Good riddance in my mind, he gave us little so leaves with few thanks. The only question is why on earth did we allow ourselves to get messed around by someone clearly with no feelings whatsoever for this club and with so little to over over so many recent years?

Mugs'R'Us ... or them in the cases of Jones and Ridders.

CARDIFF CITY SET TO INCREASE BOYD OFFER (and other City Scottish rumours)

Having had a club record bid of £2.5M turned down for Kris Boyd, the striker who almost signed for City 2 years ago then jumped to Rangers instead, Scottish media are suggesting that Dave Jones and Peter Ridsdale are returning with an improved £3M, offer with the extra apparently coming from incentivised offers.

Dave Jones seems very keen to land his target but Cardiff City now have a history of failing to land their public targets so many Bluebirds will treat, with some scepticism, club attempts to land the likes of Boyd, Ched Evans and Chopra until they are seen holding a City scarf over their heads holding their contracts. Each Dave Jones summer seems to see us linked with big names but we end up hitting the B or C list - Fowler and Hasselbaink being exceptions.

Let's see what develops particularly as newly promoted Premiership side Hull City seem set to move in too which means City wouldn't really be able to compete, such is football.

Exclusive: Cardiff set to return with new bid for Rangers striker ...

Glasgow Daily Record

In other news, City's Willo Flood and Robbie Fowler have both been linked, via the rumour mill of Setanta and 'In The Know' sorts in Scotland, with possible approaches from Celtic. With Flood having had an impressive season on loan at Dundee nited, I can understand that but surely any move for Fowler seems unlikely but they did express interest before he arrive at Ninian Park last summer. However, in a summer of a million and one rumours, don't believe anything unless it happens.

CITY LINE-UP STRIKING TRIO

Will Fowler sniff out goals

for City next season?

As it's been a long time since Cardiff City actually landed the players named in newspapers, I can't get too excited at this stage but Peter Ridsdale is confident things are moving in his direction so we'll see.

The most certain 'arrival' appears to be that Robbie Fowler is set to sign a 1 year pay-as-you-play deal with Dave Jones and the club more excited about this than most supporters who have been distinctly unimpressed by Robbie and have every reason to speculate that he can't get the 20 goals that the boss suggests - 7 seasons of missing half the games and averaging 7 goals being as good as any. However, it's likely to be his last hurrah so we can only hope he does succeed.

More interesting is emerging news, eminating from Manchester too, that City are very close to landing Ched Evans on a season's loan from Manchester City. He's been a target for some time but some feared Mark Hughes would want to retain the Welsh starlet but as he chases down Brazilians and world stars and is set to splash the cash, it seems that he wants the player long-term but is considering allowing Cardiff - and possibly several other interested clubs - to give him more experience.

The names of Michael Chopra, Steve Howard and, worryingly, Mamady Sidibe continued to be linked as the club look set to play their own version of "Bargain Hunt" where we have antiques and stars are sold. :>)

EURO'2008 GROUP C: ROMANIA 0 FRANCE 0

Group C - dubbed the Group of Death as it contains Italy, Holland and France - may as well be renamed to Coma Group if this evidence is anythign to go by. So bad was this game that it almost made me fondly sentimental about some of the dross Cardiff City were serving up at Ninian Park last Autumn!

Romania were cynical, set up defensively for a 0-0 and showed no ambition so they will be the happier side of the two even though they don't look like scoring or winning all tournament on this showing. France had the better possession but where unable to create and made to look poor and slow - a fear some held for their ageing side in which veterans Thierry Henry and Patrick Viera (who almost make Fowler and Hasselbaink seem young) were injured and Captain Lilian (lovely name) Thuram (not so lovely name) was winning his 141st cap.

Romania's star man Mutu couldn't sniff a half chance. Funny that, he had no problem sniffing at Chelsea! The quality of the game was best summed up when Romania brought on a sub who plays for the mighty Inverness!

I gave up and ate salad, it was more exciting.

WEEKEND CARDIFF CITY PLAYER NEWS ROUND UP

Cardiff City have turned down two substantial bids for first teamers but rather than say, "he's not for sale", the club have stated the fee they would sell at.

Ipswich Town have tabled a £1M bid for Roger Johnson who may leave City for bigger and better things but that certainly wouldn't be Ipswich! Two Premier clubs, one of them undoubtedly Middlesbrough, are reported to be preparing bids for the centre-half who City say they wouldn't let go for less than £3M.

Peter Whittingham, meanwhile, has been the subject of a £1M bid from Nottingham Forest which had been expected for some time. "Nay" says Peter Ridsdale before swiftly adding, "but give me £1.5M and he's yours" to stop them disappearing altogether. Got a funny feeling this one may go through.

Aaron Ramsey has now met Alex Ferguson and Manchester United, David Moyes and Everton and flew to Switzerland on the weekend to meet Arsenal's Arsene Wenger. With Liverpool yet to have a bid accepted, it looks like Rambo will choose between the other three with Manchester United reckoned to be odds on favourites.

And don't rule out more players leaving news as a shirty Peter Ridsdale expressed his disdain at some players wanting their wages trebled to stay with City. Ridders says some have over-inflated egos. There's a man who should know all about that! Eight City 'stars' are out of contract in 12 months meaning City need to sort new contracts or risk losing them soon and maybe not for the prices City would like. "We'll make fair offers and increases to those we want to keep" adding that those who don't accept can go which is, maybe, what they want.

No news on the arrivals front except Robbie Fowler's agent said "there's a deal to be done!" giving the strongest hint yet that "God" will sign a pay-as-you-play contract for City. Dave Jones will be delighted, most City fans will be underwhelmed by contrast.

FRIENDS REUNITED

Don't you "8" it that we're being messed around again?

Not much City news so today's Echo took the opportunity to re-hash a story that Peter Ridsdal has offered Robbie Fowler pay-as-you-play terms. Hang on, hadn't we already done that a few weeks ago and we knew this already?

Well yes, of course, but Peter Ridsdale apparently just happened to bump into Fowler (I hope he didn't injure him doing that!) in Dubai ... the sort of thing that always happens with us City fans eh?

"Robbie wants to stay" says The Riddler before adding, "but it all depends on his agent and I'll have to speak to him".

So on this boring episode goes then for the second successive year ... maybe Ridders will meet the ganet taking a stroll around Barry Island next week, yeah right!

POTENTIAL INNIES AND OUTIES AT NINIAN PARK

Away from Aaron Ramsey, the weather may be cold cold cold but the rumour mill is getting hot hot hot with comings and goings.

Here's just a few of the latest.

- Peter Enckleman has signed permanently says today's South Wales Echo but nowhere else seems to know this.

- Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink is definitely gone says yesterday's News of the World. Almost certainly will be true but again unconfirmed at present.

- Joe Ledley is oop north according to www.cardiffcity.com messageboard and going to Sunderland for £7M but it don't end there, Michael Chopra's coming our way in part-exchange for £3.5M.

- Jason Roberts is also coming from Blackburn (back to the Echo) but for £3M and we're trying to get Freddie Eastwood from Wolves too for £1.5m.

- Peter Whittingham's going as well btu nobdy's sure where and Paul Parry will revert to wing play in his place (the good'ol messageboard).

- And, of course, Robbie Fowler's still messing us about and being allowed to!

- Oh, and Darren Purse admits in today's Echo that he was truly crap last season but wants to stay and get his first team place back. That's the most worrying rumour yet! :>)

Mention enough players and enough clubs and someone will get one right soon I'm sure!

DAVID GILES AGREES WITH THIS BLOG OVER FOWLER

It's uncanny how often a David Giles weekly column in The Echo closely aligns to views of the Cardiff City messageboard but that could either be copying (as if!), coincidence or just show that he is in tune with the feelings of many.

This week's column shows that he too is not impressed by the club apparently being quite willing to be held to ransom and messed about by Robbie Fowler (and his agent!) wanting to hold back on committing to Cardiff City for a second successive season. Exactly the same as I feel but, even by Gilo's standards, toned down.

As far as I'm concerned, it's Sign Up Now or Get Stuffed Robbie. Sorry but I see no reason for sentiment or any other view here.

Spare us Fowler debate this time
ic Wales

RIDSDALE SPEAKS ON JFH & FOWLER BUT NOTHING WE HADN'T WORKED OUT ALREADY

Click the link if you like but you know the story already;

- City don't want to keep keep veteran strikers really
- They're happy to dispense with Jimmy Floyd-Hasslebaink
- They'd like Robbie to stay but he's stalling on the contract offer
- Every player has his price and we can expect a sale or two

There's column inches to fill, y'know.

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2008/05/23/city-s-star-duo-may-go-91466-20962683/

FOWLER AND HASSELBAINK - ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, ACT NOW DAVE

FOWLER AND HASSELBAINK - ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, ACT NOW DAVE

Latest newspaper stories suggest that the futures of both Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink are under review and that neither may stay. At last, some sense as far as I'm concerned except it appears that while JFH may be a goner (and his Cup Final performance showed why), Dave Jones seems to have an infatuation with Fowler and is prepared to play a waiting game for the second season running.

DJ believes Fowler can get City 20 goals even though no evidence of this exists since 2001, the player who been either in decline or injured since with rare exception.

Last summer, the player held the club to ransom until long after pre-season has started before committing to Cardiff which meant he just wasn't ready in August, always playing ctah up and never cuaght up really then got injured.

Fowler has not played for 6 month, had the ultimate in care and attention and been looked after better than any player in Bluebirds history. Understandably, in his 34th year, City want to offer a pay-as-you-play deal to someone who tells us he just wants to play football and can't need money that badly with his finances believes to be more than £30M.

However Fowler and his agent are once again playing the stalling game and it's said they will not commit until late next month at the earliest. Enough of this Jonesy, we owe Fowler nothing at all and he should feel he owes us.

When Andy Robinson tried messing Swansea around fr the 2nd time in as many years this week, they didn't stand for it and gave him the ultimatm to sign now or go. He chose to go.

Cardiff City should do exactly the same to Fowler - enough of this love-in. Give him a deadline or withdraw the offer.

Fowler is not bigger or better than this club and, arguably, isn't good enough to stay around anyway. To have him and his agent refusing to commit for the 2nd season running just isn't acceptable. Sign now Robbie or feck off!

FOWLER AND HASSELBAINK - ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, ACT NOW DAVE

FOWLER AND HASSELBAINK - ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, ACT NOW DAVE

Latest newspaper stories suggest that the futures of both Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink are under review and that neither may stay. At last, some sense as far as I'm concerned except it appears that while JFH may be a goner (and his Cup Final performance showed why), Dave Jones seems to have an infatuation with Fowler and is prepared to play a waiting game for the second season running.

DJ believes Fowler can get City 20 goals even though no evidence of this exists since 2001, the player who been either in decline or injured since with rare exception.

Last summer, the player held the club to ransom until long after pre-season has started before committing to Cardiff which meant he just wasn't ready in August, always playing ctah up and never cuaght up really then got injured.

Fowler has not played for 6 month, had the ultimate in care and attention and been looked after better than any player in Bluebirds history. Understandably, in his 34th year, City want to offer a pay-as-you-play deal to someone who tells us he just wants to play football and can't need money that badly with his finances believes to be more than £30M.

However Fowler and his agent are once again playing the stalling game and it's said they will not commit until late next month at the earliest. Enough of this Jonesy, we owe Fowler nothing at all and he should feel he owes us.

When Andy Robinson tried messing Swansea around fr the 2nd time in as many years this week, they didn't stand for it and gave him the ultimatm to sign now or go. He chose to go.

Cardiff City should do exactly the same to Fowler - enough of this love-in. Give him a deadline or withdraw the offer.

Fowler is not bigger or better than this club and, arguably, isn't good enough to stay around anyway. To have him and his agent refusing to commit for the 2nd season running just isn't acceptable. Sign now Robbie or feck off!

CITY'S RETAINED LIST - IT'S TA TA TREV BUT THE JURY'S STILL OUT FOR FOWLER & JIMMY

Sinclair could always be Zorro!

With the F.A. Cup Final out of the way, Cardiff City were finally able to name their retained list which contained no real shocks but also not the cull of Dave Jones' squads of the past couple of season with 7 allowed to leave.

The Bluebirds signed the Saga Superstar Trio of Robbie Fowler, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Trevor Sinclair -collectively aged 104! -to enormous publicity last summer and no matter what the differing views of wages being paid top them,, an equally enormous hole in the playing budget too.

With the key objective of the Championship producing City's 5th successive mid-table finish, it's time to move on.

Trevor Sinclair, at 35, started the best and did get corwds behind him until it transpired there wasn't much of an end product to his play and then injuries struck - a theme of his latter years. 14 league games and 1 goal wasn't quite what City expected and it makes sense to let him go.

Robbie Fowler, now 33, came here unfit, ended the season unfit and found himself injured most of the rest of the time meaning just 10 league games and 4 goals, 2 of those were penalties. A majority of City fans, myself included, have the view it's time to go separate ways but all the soundbites are that Dave Jones believes he will be fit, will socre goals and will give him another year - maybe on pay-as-you-play terms.

The eldest stateman, Hasselbaink, is now 36 but provided the best return with 33 league starts and 7 goals. He'd love to stay but the club have - rightly- hinted he couldn't be first choice next term and more pace is needed in attack.

While the wait over Fowler and Hasselbaink goes on, City released the goalkeeping due of Michael Oakes and David Forde. The two Matts - Reserve youngsters Matt Green and Matt Smith - failed to prove they should have new contracts and are also out with Matt Green set to join Oxford.

The only other out-of-contract player is Riccy Scimeca who has been offered a new one year deal after overcoming horrific injuries and the popular midfielder is expected to sign.

There are several players with only one year remaining on the contracts and the club are expected to offer most new deals but some will be vulnerable including Darren Purse, Steve Thompson (who is officially still on the transfer list anyway) and Willo Flood. Warren Feeney, with two years remaining, may also leave.

It's a start to what may yet prove another hectic summer of ins and outs but a good start as far as I'm concerned.