HERE WE GO AGAIN
Ten years ago the only time anyone heard a certain word it was on the  'Wish You Were Here' programme.  All of a sudden I'm sick of the word 'Rio'.  Let's not get away from the fact that Manchester United used their considerable financial might to get the signature, but behind that let us also remember that they made their interest well known in every newspaper from Lands End to John O' Groats for weeks before the deal was done.  If this is to become the way that the big boys conduct their business then the rest of the clubs in the country will be able to do nothing as their rising stars are courted in the press, suddenly unsettled by the speculation and the possibility of a contract with a big club, then contacted by an agent acting, of course, in the player's interests.  Rio's agent has walked away from this with, according to my paper, £1.5 million.  Not a bad day's work: the same agent also handled Ferdinand's move to Leeds and, before that, was involved with the moves of Juan Sebastian Veron, Eyal Bercovic and, for those of you with longer memories, Avi Cohen's move to Liverpool.  My paper estimates Rio's agent to be worth around £50 million: now, does anyone out there need an agent?

What now for Barnsley: only four years ago it was trips to places like Old Trafford and Anfield, but that dream turned into a nightmare: worse followed last season and now the Second Division welcomes an old friend.  Although this old friend will look better dressed, what with the new stands and the corporate facilities, it is what happens on the pitch that is important.  Some of the crown jewels have been lost in an effort to remain afloat so it is up to Steve Parkin to make sure that the new boys hit the ground running and wear the shirt with pride.  Twelve months ago I speculated on the recent signing of Kevin Keegan as manager of Manchester City and said that if they were not at the top of the table by Christmas, Keegan would have gone.  Look where they are now!  Similarly, Barnsley should be able to walk out of this division so again I say that if the Reds aren't leading the table by Christmas, Parkin will have gone.

The Premiership is all about greed: the greed of clubs, chairmen and players alike.  It comes as no surprise then that Lee Bowyer should outprice himself at Liverpool and the deal fall through.  Gerard Houlier is acting in the interests of the club when he says that Bowyer isn't interested enough in playing for Liverpool. 

Once some of the others start saying the same, a little bit of sanity could come back into what was once a working man's game.  Similarly, one or two club managers and chairmen are having nothing to do with agents: these man are taking millions out of the game and putting nothing back in, although as I said earlier, if anyone wants an agent ………..!

Finally, a rescue package for the Nationwide League has been put together but many clubs are on the verge of bankruptcy.  Bradford City is the headline club at the moment, but many others have spent money they never had.  Whilst we can collectively look back and point the finger at the two TV stations behind ITV Digital, we should also look at who led negotiations on behalf of football and accept that anyone with the name of Keith Harris is immediately associated with a green duck in a nappy.  He wished he could fly, and so did many of the clubs who signed players on big money contracts without having the money in the bank.

Let us get behind the players, coaches, manager and chairman this year: unless I'm very much mistaken, this will be the year that the Reds turn it round.