Fowler's done one...

Our fans would’ve wanted him gone

 

Oh no - does this mean that football isn't just a meritocracy after all?

 

I guess Robbie won't mind, he will get a good payoff and can then increase his house owning portfolio.

I just wonder how long the attraction of going there will last, playing or managing a team that plays in front of 600 people as Gerard's team did last weekend doesn't sound the most inviting prospect.

 

I can think of a few hundred thousand reason why it's very inviting and attractive

 

Indeed, but most of these guys are set for life financially, after a time, if you feel you are not getting satisfaction from the job, then what's the point.

 

I'm over there early next year for a few bits, I'm actually quite looking forward to actually seeing it all in the flesh and getting the real feeling for it all and not just what the media / the Saudis want us to see

 

That will be interesting, particularly the crowd involvement. There is nothing worse than a sterile atmosphere at a ground. I once went to watch England play Egypt in a friendly in Cairo, I just happened to be there on business, and the British Embassy invited me along. The atmosphere was awful, to fill the ground they had drafted in the army and police to fill the seats, and it was like playing in a morgue.

 

You might still only get to see what the Saudi's want you to see! I lived in Kuwait for 3 years long time ago. It was interesting for a month or 2 then it was just about saving money, which I had none of before I went. I wouldn't go back to the middle east now for all the money on earth.
Fowler can't need money, I'd guess he was bored rigid most of the time he was there.

 

saudis too hot to be outside 95% of the time.. so youll be in air conditioned sterile shopping malls and apartments

 

Not in Saudi. Unless all the women are hopeless. No females commentating on men’s football I would guess.

 

I've no doubt for the most it'll be about what the Saudi public investment fund representatives want me to see, but you never no, I may get some time to meet a few people away from them etc

 

I can imagine just how crap it is playing there and in atmosphere like that, but then again I can see exactly why players are going and I think the vast majority would do the same in their shoes

 

Ive done work stints in Scotland, Brazil, Angola, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Brazil and Angola were too dangerous to relax and enjoy, as had to keep an eye out all the time - the prices in Angola were extortionate, so wasn't worth going out too much anyway. Saudi Arabia was malls and deserts, got boring v quickly. Scotland was Scotland, so nothing especially different, but Iran was the best for me - great food, interesting culture and country, safe and friendly ppl.

 

Not sure how else to dress up a 900 attendance than exactly that! Sounds like it's a bit of a flop.

 

I got drafted in for ball retrieval at Ewood Park during covid and that was probably even worse. I don’t even remember who they were playing but it was the game where Dack tried to sneak up on the keeper from behind the goal and did his ACL for the second time. I was right behind it and heard the scream.

 

The crowd must have thought they were broght in to be stewards

 

He owned about 80 houses when he was relatively young as a player .

 

Aye, a good bet. In the old days it would have been racehorses and pubs.

 

It's a long time since I was out there but I had no restrictions, I had a company car and was free to go anywhere alone. I went for the money too, doing a job I loved to do, getting paid loads more than I got here and in a place you wouldn't normally go to.
The heat wasn't a big problem despite the thermometer showing 40odd I've felt more uncomfortable here when it's the high 20s.