Hey Big Spenders

Despite expectations, Manchester City were not the highest spending club in the transfer window.

It was in fact Tottenham, who spent 48 million.

Liverpool, Everton, Fulham, Sunderland,Middlesborough and West Brom spent nothing.

A total of 160 million pounds was spent but if you take out the two big spenders, the rest who spent only paid out an average of just over 5 million each.

Of course Man City would probably have spent more had they not been the subject of the odd high profile rejection.

What does Georgina think of all this?

Well like many girls I like a man who is prepared to splash a bit of cash.

Cursed?

I think I can can confidently say that most if not all football fans who follow the game more widely know that when chairman and assistant managers start coming out in support of a manager means they are in trouble.

So if we have worked that out - how come the clubs haven't?

What they need is a cuter strategy.

After all, that is precisely how managers such as Alex Ferguson operate.

In any walk of life, people who have sustained success exude confidence and self-belief.

It's not arrogance. And it has to be real.

You have to convince your audience to trust you and to achieve that you have to trust yourself.

Gareth Southgate - step up and meet your public head on. And show them what you are made of.

Loving The Underdogs

I can't tell you how disappointed I am that our local team, Forest Green Rovers, were beaten by a late Derby penalty in the 3rd round of the FA Cup this afternoon.

They had already made history by getting the furthest ever in the tournament during their 118 year existence. When they went 2 0 up after just over 20 minutes it looked as if the impossible might happen. Derby managed to pull two back before half time though and despite another goal by Forest, equalised again shortly afterwards. Their 87th minute penalty conversion sealed Forest Green's fate and the dream was over for another year.

I heard on the radio earlier that Barrow was empty as everyone had piled off to the Riverside Stadium. Sad then that they lost 2 1 although I gather it was a spirited fight.

Still, Torquay and Kettering will move on to the fourth round to fly the flags for non-league football.

Don't you just love an underdog?

The Peasant's Revolt

What a weekend it has been.

"Surprising Saturday" and "Day of the Underdogs" are two of the descriptions I have heard.

As if Barsnley's heroic win over Chelsea wasn't enough yesterday, Cardiff have made it a double by beating Middlesborough, who looked a complete shambles. Even Portsmouth's triumph over Manchester United was against predictions.

You have to wonder what on earth is going on. Is the gap between Premiership and Championship football narrowing? Is the passion for the FA cup competition and all it represents burning far stronger in the second division and below?

Whatever the reasons, everyone is saying it is one of the most exciting FA competitions ever.

I think there's something quite exciting about the football underclasses rebelling against the status quo.

Let's hope they don't lose their heads like the last leader of a peasant's revolt.