Shaun Goater's decision to seek more accommodating pastures away from Manchester City is viewed by many local fans as a step in the right direction.

Fans who have monitored his progress in England over the years believe it is the only logical choice.

Here are some of their views:

"Goater is right to leave Manchester City now because he still has some playing time left and he is scoring goals," said Keith Lapsley "Even if he goes to a First Division team or a team in Scotland or joins a club in Europe, the important thing for him now is to go where he can get playing time and if Kevin Keegan refuses to allow him to play then so be it. To stick around and hope for a show now and then with City would be unwise, moving on will enable him to stretch out his career a few years longer."

"Goater should have been out of Manchester City a long time ago, the man (Kevin Keegan) wasn't using him and obviously didn't appreciate his talent," said Michael Pemberton. "The writing was on the wall when the other costly players came over to join the club. I don't think it will be hard for him to join another club, but he will probably have to stay down in the First Division though."

Andre (Doc) Manders said: "I think Shaun should leave now, especially if Keegan is not going to play him. Like Goater said, if the other strikers are not playing good now, what chance does he stand when they are playing good.

"I think it's probably the best time for him to go now, even though a lot of the fans like him. I used to like watching Manchester City play when Goater was starting, but now I would just have to follow wherever he goes."

"I think Shaun should leave, in fact I thought he should have left when Keegan actually took over at the club," said Cal (Patches) Dill. "If you look back at it when when Andy Cole was playing for England, Keegan was the very one that got Cole out of the side and ruined his international career. With Keegan buying Fowler at a time when I thought Shaun and Anelka were a solid force it all went downhill for Shaun who had proven his worth."

Anthony (Porky) Manders said: "I think it's time for Shaun to move on, he is getting in the twilight of his career and he needs to be playing. I guess he hung around because he obviously felt that he would eventually get back into the starting 11, but now I guess the writing is on the wall."

"It comes as no surprise, but it's a decision that Goater should have made long ago," said Michael Outerbridge. "When Kevin Keegan took over at the club he was told that some of the players weren't good enough, including Goater, and I wasn't surprised to see Goater overlooked, especially once Robbie Fowler came into the picture."

But Andre Smith said: "If I were Goater I would have hung on with a big club like Manchester City. Even playing on a part-time basis may be better than anything he can get at another club at the age of 33."