Nature abhors a transfer vacuum

EVERY mid-January, without fail, some academic or other claims to have pinpointed the most depressing day of the year. Generally, it’s the third or fourth Monday in January.

Last on MOTD: Another four-and-a-half seasons of this gubbins

THE long-term future of the Gubbometer, you will be delighted to learn, has been secured.

Don’t Google him? You might be surprised

CRAIG Bellamy is all too aware of his reputation. “If I ever did a book, it would be called ‘Don’t Google Me’,” he said yesterday at his first press conference since joining Manchester City from West Ham.

Look Hughes talking

THERE was one comment I was drawn to in Mark Hughes’ lengthy and insightful interview in yesterday’s Daily Mail – and it concerned Tottenham.

The Alan Hardaker solution

IS it wrong to blame your cup exit on a man who has been dead for nearly 30 years? According to one report this morning, possibly not.

No Kaka

ONE of the more intriguing conspiracy theories I’ve heard surrounding the collapse of Kaka’s move to Manchester City is the suggestion that the proposed deal was leaked not by AC Milan, but by a third party with no connection to either club.

Last on MOTD: You’re fired!

WHEN Manchester City were knocked out of the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest two weeks ago, more than one newspaper suggested manager Mark Hughes was on the verge of being sacked.

Luton Town: It’s a marathon, not a sprint

A FRIEND who ran the London Marathon once explained to me that, because of the sheer number of competitors, it took him about 15 minutes to cross the starting line. It has taken Luton Town quite a bit longer, but they’ll know the feeling.

Swans draw no more

I DON’T know how common it is to have disorientating experiences in Burnley, but I had two at once last night.

Last on MOTD: Goalkeepers are different

WHEN history comes to judge the first sporting decade of the 21st century (assuming history hasn’t got better things to do), it may well look with bemusement at a clutch of stories, which appeared throughout 2008, suggesting that Manuel Almunia might be the solution to England’s goalkeeping problem.