I have had a look on Tranmere forums to get their thoughts on Owain Fon Williams, with whom we recently have been linked.

Tranmere Rovers endured a dismal end (12 losses in 17 games) to their campaign. Their problems have been primarily at the other end of the pitch, where they failed to score in their final six league games. In the most used words on their forum, “they bottled it”.

Nobody has been immune from the inquest, including the goalkeeper, “As for Fonners loving it, the waving to the fans, the passion he shows, and the fact he comes across as a decent fella masks how woeful he was to a lot of fans in the second half of the season”.

“If certain other players had made a fraction of the mistakes he made since January they would have been crucified, both on here and at Prenton Park”. “His first year form was very good, but [in] the last six months [he has] done very little to warrant a new contract.”

“A lot of people are prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt because as you say he was very good the previous year and a half.”

“All players should be praised and criticised when appropriate, but certain players suffer more than others, whilst some get off relatively scot free.”

“Look back at the amount of goals he made mistakes for. Not being able to build a wall. Coming off his line when he should have stayed. Fumbling and dropping the ball, or simply letting it slip through his hands.”

“His positional play, kicking, distribution, communication with the defence and willingness to come for the ball were all below par.”

“Fonners cost us more points than anyone during our bad run. Fair enough he's in that thankless position, but luckily for him an element of our fans chose a different scapegoat.”

“If you're only as good as your last match, or series of matches, then he doesn't deserve a contract, and as good as he was early in his Rovers career, his form dropped alarmingly.”

“He should be nearing his peak, but he has gone backwards.” “Will he recover his form? I don't know, but I do know we simply can't carry someone in one of the most important positions on the pitch.”

“Fonners' dip in form coincided with the appearance of Donervon Daniels in the back four. I’m, not blaming it all on Daniels but the back four was settled and communicated well with Ben Gibson and Ash Taylor in the centre. Owain seemed unsure whether to stay on his line with Daniels in front of him.”

“Dodgy Don was a reason yes, but Fonners' confidence was destroyed in that Derby match (a 5-0 third round FA Cup defeat) and he never regained it. Watching him come steaming off his line then backpedal became a regular occurrence, and the ball would usually end up in the net. It was painful to watch at times because we all know he's a better keeper than he showed in that last few months.”

Despite his loss of form in Rovers poor run-in, supporters see Williams as a decent League One keeper. He will depart on good terms with Rovers supporters, with his consistent performances regularly flagged up when the team were riding high. “It would be nice to have kept him for consistency and the passion he shows for the club”.

“I'm pleased we're still trying to keep OFW. I don't think we'll manage to, but he's been a good keeper and has developed a relationship with the club that has been refreshing. Don't underestimate the benefits of consistency. I was told he felt he'd be leaving - but hopefully a long-term deal will sway him. I buzz off the fella.”

“Refuse to believe we can't give Fonners the deal he wants though, it's pretty clear that he's grown to love the club and I don't think for a second he'd hold us to ransom with stupid demands.”

“His shot-stopping ability is a level above this division.” A detailed video link was posted on the thread accompanying Phil’s news story, which highlighted his shot-stopping abilities. This strength was regularly mentioned on their forums. A number of fans also highlighted his related ability to deal with spot-kicks.

“Just wondering if I am right in saying we have had five penalties taken against us this season. Three saved (Swindon a, Orient a, and Hartlepool h) and two scored – (Orient h, Walsall a). It’s pretty good going for OFW? He looked very comfortable when it comes to penalties.”

“It's important that we have a solid goalkeeper, which Fonners is. Granted, he's had his mistakes this season but show me a goalkeeper who hasn't.” “He certainly hasn't been solid all season. Just because he claps the Kop he's quality and loves us. He's no different to any of the others.”

“Signing this week for Ipswich, I believe.” “I can see him sitting on the bench if true. They already have Scott Loach who has been on the fringes of the England set-up and was a regular in the under 21s, plus Championship experience. It comes down to if he wants guaranteed first team football or the wage hike”.

There is a widely held view that he will be Scott Loach’s understudy. “It’s disappointing. How much can they offer for their second keeper though? Can we really not match that?” “Assuming you mean Ipswich I don't know why them offering him more as their second choice is such a shock”. “Unless Scott Loach leaves then he'll definitely start as back up”.

“Wouldn't be overly gutted if he left but would rather he stayed.”

The best website is The Cowsheds which requires you to register, and there was some interesting discussion on the Paddock Message Board

BaltachaFanClub added 08:07 - Jun 15 good work Harry, but may I add ... as a follower of Tranmere (my second team after the mighty Ipswich) OFW was in blinding form up until Christmas, and his dip was because the defence was tinkered with, Ben Gibson (loanee from Boro) is an up and coming star, and I have to say Tranmere function on 4 youngster in the outfield. Names you may of heard. Defence - Ash Taylor, great, tenacious player, Defence - Danny Holmes, solid and multi positional Midfield - James Wallace, A player who will make the grade, already captained side and not yet 20 Wing - Max Power, not a work horse but a focus point, and with that name an easy spot on a team sheet OFW made a good spine base for this group, and if you add up front the lively Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro who got injured, and the wonderfully nicknamed leftback Zoumana "Zoom" Bagayoko Tranmere actually failed all round in the last 3 months, when I was up there for the first day of the season they pummeled Orient, who were not mugs themselves and I was thinking ITFC get to play TRFC next year ! but it all went wrong

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HarryfromBath added 13:44 - Jun 15 Many thanks for the feedback, Baltacha. 'Zoom' was easily most supporters player of the year, but Ben Gibson and Ash Taylor were regularly and frequently praised as well. Looking through the threads, I think that they are still struggling to understand where the campaign went wrong. It seems to have been down to a collective loss of form by several key players (including OFW), exacerbated by unnecessary tinkering by Ronnie Moore.

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