A few weeks back I could understand Benitez saying that he would wait before offering Fowler a new deal. But now, with CL qualification and 3rd place pretty much in the bag, and if I'm honest, only a slim chance of catching the Mancs with so few games left and them in great form, there is little to play for in the league. I could see the point in Benitez 'dangling the carrot' as far as a new contract is concerned as it probably gave Robbie that extra bit of motivation which is obviously better for the team, but I no longer see the point seeing as the league games are now less important imo and Robbie is cup-tied for the Chelsea game.
Now I think it's dragging on a bit and if I'm blatantly honest Benitez is starting to irritate me over this whole issue. A few weeks ago I was sure Benitez would offer Fowler a new deal but I'm starting to have my doubts. Obviously we don't know what is said between Fowler and Benitez behind closed doors (he might have already told him he's staying), but it looks to me that Benitez is almost taking advantage of the fact that he knows Fowler would do anything to stay at the club. I don't like seeing this happen and I just think everyone at the club, players and fans alike, would be happier if Benitez just gave him the fecking contract now.
Fowler's performances won't have gone unnoticed by other clubs, and there will be plenty of them sniffing around should Benitez not offer Fowler a deal. Despite this, I believe that if there is no contract offered Fowler would probably retire. He doesn't need the money and it's obviously a struggle for him to keep the weight off - I couldn't see him having the motivation to move on to another club and put the effort in every day in training to stay fit enough for top level football. Fowler himself would maybe see a return to LFC for 6 months and scoring the couple of goals to lift him ahead of Dalglish in the club scoring records as a fitting end to his career. Looking at it this way I think Benitez could indirectly end Fowler's playing career by not re-signing him. Come on Rafa, sort it out!!