Benitez will not take the easy option over Fowler

[Mike]

more interested in his comments on raul

[anny road]

more interested in his comments on raul

 

 

same here

 

I think Robbie will stay mind

[Swipe]

more interested in his comments on raul

 

They struck me too

[beejay]

Rafa's keeping his options open...but the mention of only raul by name suggests that he is another option - and maybe a preferred option over robbie.

 

Also - if we are considering raul - doesn't sound like morientes would be on his way. Those two are thick as thieves and if Raul did decide to come here, Nando's presence would be a key factor. Must admit, much as Rafa's the man, I would rather have Fowler and one of the other younger strikers we are linked with (Owen, Bent, Bellamy, Kuyt) than Raul & Morientes but what the f*** do I know.

[Barnesy_10]

even if we don't give robbie a new contract do you think we might keep him on in some form of a coaching role or anything like that? Its obvious the affect hes had on the players and fans... I could see him giving up playing to have that kind of a role.

[anny road]

i was with Ste J's mum last night before the youth game and she was saying that Robbie is pretty confident that he will get a new contract..he knows what he has to do and is getting there....

[Atticus Finch]

I get the impression that Robbie is basically on a six month fitness test and that is the only factor in play. As Rafa says - there is no doubt over his quality and ability to score goals. Therefore it must be the fitness side they are monitoring and it may well be the case that Robbie isn't at the level they want yet and they need to see if he will get there before offering that contract.

[Gomez]

To me that reads like Rafa's laying the groudwork in case he decides to let Robbie go

 

Yeah, but on the basis that I don't believe a word Rafa says to the press regarding future transfers / contracts etc. Neither decision would surprise me, and I am pretty sure Rafa already knows what he is going to do, and he was never going to say he is definitely staying or definitely going before the end of the season.

[Guest Red Mist]

Why does Rafa have to comment on Fowler's future so often? I know the journo's pester him but he should give them a straight answer and refuse to continue fielding questions on the subject. It can't be good for Robbie if his future is always being questioned.

[Gunga Din]

Why does Rafa have to comment on Fowler's future so often? I know the journo's pester him but he should give them a straight answer and refuse to continue fielding questions on the subject. It can't be good for Robbie if his future is always being questioned.

 

 

i think what rafa tells the press, and what he tells Robbie, would be entirely different

[Guest Red Mist]

i think what rafa tells the press, and what he tells Robbie, would be entirely different

I hope so, 'cos some of the alleged statements made by Rafa aren't very encouraging for Robbie.

[Gunga Din]

I hope so, 'cos some of the alleged statements made by Rafa aren't very encouraging for Robbie.

 

 

and if he doesnt decide to give him a new contract? do we critisise Rafa for that? at the end of the day, the decision on whether Robbie gets a new contract is Rafa's to make, he knows what he wants.

[Benitez]

I hope so, 'cos some of the alleged statements made by Rafa aren't very encouraging for Robbie.

 

Robbies a big boy, I'm sure he's coping just fine.

 

Unlike some fans who seem to get all worked up over nothing.

[owenthomas]

yup.. but thankfully we have none of those on here..

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

Fowler's almost certainly done enough on the pitch to warrant a new contract. It's the rest of it - off pitch, fitness etc - which is surely key

[owenthomas]

definitely.. i've said before i didn't think it was wise to bring him back - thankfully i've been proved wrong.. he's still got it.. whether or not he's able to hack it long term fitness wise though is another story - if he can, or should i say if Rafa thinks he can - then i see no reason why he wouldn't keep him on..

 

for the record as well i can't see what else Rafa could say in response to questions about Robbie - he can't win..

[Walrus]

Rafa was asked about Raul, and he just said: "He's a good player, of course he is and everyone knows that (almost bursting into laughter). But I don't want to talk about players."

 

Certainly didn't sound like his cover was about to be blown.

 

I'd actually be surprised if Rafa decided to keep Robbie... but then I was more than surprised when I heard we had signed him in the first place.

[Gomez]

Have to say, looks to me like he's decided Fowler is staying. Even mentions seeing the best of him in pre-season here.

If he does get rid of Robbie, he's really tickling his nuts with a new contract.

 

Sly

 

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted he has made up his mind whether or not to keep Robbie Fowler at Anfield.

 

However, the Spaniard is refusing to reveal his thoughts and is keeping Fowler and Liverpool fans guessing.

 

Fowler is sweating over his future at the club with his short-term deal set to expire at the end of the season.

 

The 31-year-old has scored four goals in his last five games and Benitez has admitted he is going the right way to securing his long-term future at Anfield.

 

"If he can keep scoring it will be easier for me," said Benitez.

 

"We all know he has a lot of passion for the club. I know what I want to do but I need to talk to my staff.

 

"We will continue working with Robbie. When a player is playing every game he cannot improve a lot in his physical condition.

 

"We cannot expect to see the best of him now. Perhaps in pre-season we will see him progress but we need to decide on his future first."

[anny road]

Fowler thinks he is getting a one year contract with an option of another year at the end of both parties are happy

 

as told to a couple of City lads

[Boca]

Fowler thinks he is getting a one year contract with an option of another year at the end of both parties are happy

 

as told to a couple of City lads

 

That's fantastic news, if true. Hopefully he will bang another one in tonight just to be sure.

[Gomez]

If true, I reckon it will be announced at the home match on Sat.

 

Can't see them keeping up the pretence of not deciding and him not knowing and him have his emotional, Aldo-esque, farwell to the Kop if he know's he is staying.

 

By then it's quite possible the race for 2nd place will be over and with him ineligable for the final, his season will be effectively over anyway.

[anny road]

That's fantastic news, if true. Hopefully he will bang another one in tonight just to be sure.

 

 

well its true that he has said it

 

wether it is true thats what he is getting is another story

 

i think it all points to another year at least..esp with Rafa's ;atest comments

 

If true, I reckon it will be announced at the home match on Sat.

 

Can't see them keeping up the pretence of not deciding and him not knowing and him have his emotional, Aldo-esque, farwell to the Kop if he know's he is staying.

 

By then it's quite possible the race for 2nd place will be over and with him ineligable for the final, his season will be effectively over anyway.

 

 

it think either way we will know by Saturday

[AE]

...and a big new kennel for another year.

 

I thought we had decided that was what they are building at Melwood

[Figaro]

I thought we had decided that was what they are building at Melwood

 

 

Nah, that's the new stables for the Golden Boy's return

[hideNseek]

Think Fowler is better at holding the ball up than Heskey ever was.

 

Mori will stay imo.