Who’s hiding what, and where?

It may be because it’s the silly season, when the footy shuts down and almost all of the usual avenues to find out decent information close – perhaps that’s why I can’t get Robbie Cowling out of my head.

What did he mean when he said, vis-à-vis the Norwich v Colchester compensation-tribunal-battle-type-of-thing, that “a decision has been reached on part of it”?

And why does he want to tell us, but can’t?

For the reader on Mars, Robbie Cowling is chairman of Colchester and is really, really pigged off that his manager, Paul Lambert, gave him the elbow for Norwich last August – and then took Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa with him. He threatened that fire and brimstone and, even worse, a points deduction, would rain down on Carrow Road. It didn’t, but neither side could agree a settlement and so it all went to a Football League Disciplinary Commission, which is when the secret police went into action.

Who’s on this Commission?

“The Commission is made up of three people; an independent Chair, plus one Commission member selected by each club. League policy means name of the Chair, and the date of the hearing, are not released in advance,” said the Football League.

Thanks a lot.

Delia forgot to put on her Canaries headscarf when she went to Colchester for a meeting between the clubs and when she was spotted in the car park it was quite clear what was going on. Comment from the clubs: zero.

When they couldn’t agree, they were summoned to the secret Commission hearing – and still we’re none the wiser. City won’t say anything and even the normally vocal Mr Cowling appears to be constrained.

“At the moment we don't have permission to disclose what the decision is. However, Colchester United want it to be made public.”

It must hurt him like mad not to be able to say what he clearly wants to shout from the rooftops.

At least the Commission has served one decent purpose.

But what is it that Mr Cowling can’t tell us? Has an agreement been reached on Lambert but not the others? Or vice versa? Has an agreement been reached on all three, but not the method of payments – cash in hand or instalments?

We all know there will be a bill of some sort to pay, we just don’t know how much and, therefore, we don’t know the repercussions for City.

But I do rather enjoy the thought that RC is sitting there, lips closed tight but bursting to tell us something. For once, I’d like to hear it.