“THE OLD ROBBIE FOWLER SWAGGER IS back” claimed the programme notes, although if Stuart Pearce had really believed that, he would not have allowed the striker to return to Liverpool. The truth is, Manchester City are far better without Fowler, not because he was especially bad or a disruptive influence during three injury-ravaged years at the club, but because his presence was a reminder of an old regime that Pearce wants to consign to memory.
It is not an easy task and it may be some time before City shed the inconsistencies that have plagued them for years, but Saturday was another step in the right direction. Their plight will be helped by the £6 million arrival of Georgios Samaras from Heerenveen, although the Greece Under-21 striker will be hard pressed to dislodge Andrew Cole from the starting line-up.
Like Fowler, Cole enjoyed his best days at a local rival, but unlike Fowler, the former Manchester United front man has found the net on a frequent basis and his ninth goal in 20 appearances — a clinical finish from Bradley Wright-Phillips’s through-ball — was sufficient to break Wigan Athletic’s resistance six minutes from the end.
“Coley has been hugely important for us,” Pearce said. “We brought him in to score double figures and more and to lead around the dressing-room and play his part. He’s done that, and he does it every week. That’s why he’s kept the likes of Robbie Fowler, Antoine Sibierski and Bradley Wright-Phillips out of the team.”
Samaras should fit that bracket, even if City would appear to have paid over the odds for a player they originally bid £3 million for. The 20-year-old, who scored 25 times in 88 appearances for the Dutch club, flew to England last night and will undergo a medical today having agreed personal terms on a 4½-year deal worth nearly £4.7 million. Assuming there are no complications, he is likely to be included in the squad for the Barclays Premiership game at home to Newcastle United on Wednesday.
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Pearce hopes to follow up that deal by signing Matthew Mills, Southampton’s highly-rated 19-year-old central defender. But what of Fowler? What is clear is that the deal suited all three parties, not least City because it freed up nearly £1 million Fowler stood to earn from the remaining six months of his £35,000-a-week contract. “I was obliged to let him go,” Pearce said. “I can ‘t base decisions on whether players stay or go on a hat-trick against Scunthorpe United and a late goal against Manchester United, I have to do what I believe is the right for the club.”
Of greater concern to Pearce than Fowler’s future is ensuring City’s return to former glories. It is 30 years since they last won a big cup competition, but the former England captain has a “sneaking suspicion” that this may just be their year. Wigan aided their cause somewhat at the City of Manchester Stadium — Paul Jewell, the Wigan manager, seemed happy just to have avoided another replay — and if City can continue winning while playing as ugly as this, Pearce’s dreams could yet come true.
Manchester City (4-4-2): D James — Sun Jihai, R Dunne, S Distin, S Jordan — T Sinclair, J Barton, S Ireland (sub: A Sibierski, 82min), A Riera (sub: K Musampa, 69) — A Cole, D Vassell (sub: B Wright-Phillips, 59). Substitutes not used: N Weaver, M Richards
Wigan Athletic (4-4-2): J Filan — P Chimbonda, P Scharner, M Jackson, L Baines — A Mahon (sub: J Bullard, 65), D Francis, J Skoko (sub: S Henchoz, 70), R Ziegler — A Johansson, N Mellor (sub: J Roberts, 59). Substitutes not used: M Pollitt, G Kavanagh
Referee: H Webb