It was perhaps the supreme irony that on the day Cardiff’s £5million summer export Michael Chopra celebrated his return to the Premier League with a glorious last-gasp winner for Sunderland, the man ostensibly recruited to replace him wasn’t even on the bench at Ninian Park.

As the toothless Bluebirds crumbled to an opening day home defeat by Stoke City, Robbie Fowler – overweight and still struggling for fitness - was being wrapped in cotton wool by manager Dave Jones at a time he was desperately needed on the pitch.

And the cynical element among Cardiff fans are now beginning to ask: Was the ‘signing’ of Fowler merely a smokescreen to hide the natural anger at the sale of last season’s 22-goal top scorer? Ironically, the signing of Fowler was announced just days after Chopra’s departure and was seen by many as the antidote to the departure of the striker who lit up Ninian Park during his all-too-brief stay in South Wales.

'The reality, of course, is that Chopra is in a different league to ex-Liverpool legend Fowler, both literally and metaphorically'


The reality, of course, is that Chopra is in a different league to the ex-Liverpool legend, both literally and metaphorically. He has just started to do in the Premier League what Fowler, now 32, overweight and clearly unfit, did for the Reds a decade a go – and that is score quality goals at the highest level.

I have no doubt Chops will be a major hit at the Stadium of Light. His winner against Spurs was pure quality…a cool control and finish from 12 yards that any top hitman would have been proud of . It also epitomised the classy finishing that lifted Cardiff to the top of the Championship for an extended period during the early part of last season.

Oh, and a little hint for Roy Keane from someone who saw most of Chops’ goals last season. The former Magpie is a dab hand at scoring from free kicks - particularly any from the left side, just outside the box. You know, the sort that Liam Miller made a hash of in the second half against Tottenham. And, surprise surprise, he also fancies himself as a penalty king.

As for Cardiff’s 1-0 defeat by Stoke, it was ironic that even if Fowler had been brought on just for the last five minutes, he would inevitably have saved the game by converting an 87th-minute penalty for the Bluebirds. Instead, Steve McLean – one of seven summer signings who cost manager Jones nothing - saw his effort saved by Stoke keeper Steve Simonson.

But that option of using Fowler as a sub to lift the 18,000 crowd was never on – because Jones didn’t even include him in the squad. ‘’If he’d been on the bench, the temptation would have been to bring him on – but he’s probably ten days short of the rest of the players in terms of being ready,’’ insisted the Bluebirds boss.

Every one of those fans effectively paid £1 towards Fowler’s £18,000-a-week wages in a week where he contributed precisely nothing to the cause. It’s clear he needs to start delivering – and soon – or the tumultuous welcome he received on his arrival will soon turn to accusations that he was just looking for a soft touch in the twilight of his career.