Mediawatch

An Evolving Story
'Liverpool last night bid £17million for Gareth Barry and told Aston Villa: That's our final offer' - The Sun, July 2.

'The report in today's paper of a £17m offer for Gareth Barry is inaccurate. The club have received a renewed offer from Liverpool for the player but that still falls well short of Aston Villa's evaluation, and has subsequently been rejected' - Aston Villa Official Website, July 2.

'After denials were made about SunSport's revelation there had been a fresh bid for Barry by Liverpool, it was later confirmed the Reds' offer HAD been improved. As SunSport detailed, it is now £15million cash and the two sides are haggling over further add-ons' - The Sun, July 3.


Bizarre Banning Of The Day
'He must stay away from training, Villa Park and even the club shop' - The Sun.

Errr, we don't think he would have been terribly keen to go and get any replica shirts, but whatever.


Embarrassment
'Dimitar Berbatov faces the humiliating prospect of pre-season training with Tottenham today,' writes hack John Cross in The Daily Mirror.

The first question that sprang to Mediawatch's mind is 'What the hell do they do at Spurs pre-season training?', but then we cottoned on, and instead wondered whether it really was Dimi who was embarrassed to still be at White Hart Lane, or the journalist in question.

Mr Cross himself is after all, the author of the following pieces - most of them EXCLUSIVES! from The Mirror:

'Juande Ramos last night admitted he faces a battle to stop Dimitar Berbatov quitting Tottenham next summer. Tottenham boss Ramos confessed that he will have to play a waiting game with Berbatov, who will decide on his future at the end of the season' - November 12, 2007.

'Sir Alex Ferguson has stepped up his efforts to sign Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov by offering Wes Brown and Louis Saha - plus £6million in exchange. Fergie wants to push through a January move for Berbatov after failing with his initial bid for the Bulgaria striker in the summer' - December 19, 2007.

'Juande Ramos last night admitted Tottenham are making plans for life after Dimitar Berbatov when launching a £30million auction for his signature' - May 9, 2008.

'Barcelona are ready to make a £25million bid for Tottenham's want-away striker Dimitar Berbatov. Spanish giants Barcelona have jumped ahead of Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Manchester United as the favourites to land him' - June 16, 2008.


Good For My Wal...Errm, I Mean, The Game
The Daily Mirror runs an interesting feature this morn, mulling over the question of whether Roman Abramovich has been good for the game or not.

And what a surprise to see the chap in the 'Yay' corner is PFA president Gordon Taylor.

"Because of the money Roman Abramovich has spent since he's come in, he's raised the bar significantly," argues Taylor, a man who a few months ago compared Joey Barton to Paul Gascoigne.

He certainly has raised the bar Gordon. He's also significantly raised the wages of footballers such as John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Joe Cole, all members of...now, which trade union organisation is it again...?


Chilling
As our lawyers break into a cold sweat and reach for the ulcer tablets, we turn our attention to yesterday's revelation that David Sullivan had been questioned by police over allegations of sexual assault.

Don't worry boys, we won't be making any outlandish or libellous comments this time, only pausing to retch at the horrific mental image of the following statement:

"He categorically denies the allegation, which centres around consensual sexual touching."

Also, we couldn't help but laugh at another bit of his stringent denial.

"The allegation is totally without foundation. Despite a report to the contrary, there was no DNA taken, no search of his home and no clothing removed."

That's a first for Sullivan, eh?


Has Anyone Told Him Yet?
The splendidly-named Brazilian striker Jo seemed terribly excited after confirming his move to Manchester City last night.

"I was told Manchester City is a club going forward at the moment," said Jo. "We can go places, that is our objective."

Indeed you can go places Sir. To be exact, Streymnes on the Faroe Islands, population 400.


Making New Friends
Equally, Jonas 'Spiderman' Gutierrez appeared chuffed to bits after rocking up at Newcastle.

"I cannot tell you how delighted I am to be signing for Newcastle," said Gutierrez.

"The Premier League is the place to play and I cannot wait to meet my new team-mates."

Well, perhaps not all your team-mates, eh Jonas?


And On That Theme
The Toon are currently running a competition on their website, offering schools a chance to 'Win a Newcastle player for the day'.

'Fancy a Newcastle United player dropping in to raise the profile of your school, charity or community group?' boasts the site.

And what better way to raise the profile of your institution than having a footballer beat seven shades of s**te out of a defenceless child? Or, even better, holding one down while his feral cousin does the same.


The Vital Connection
Stephane Courbis, Emmanuel Adebayor's agent, seems keen to get his man a new deal at Arsenal.

"It is vital that Arsenal show their motivation to keep him," Courbis told The Daily Star.

If you were thinking 'Now what's the only way an agent measures 'motivation'?' then shame on you.

For Courbis reveals his client is an ethical chap:

"If this was a money problem, then he would have asked to leave. He is a man of heart, not of money. He is not greedy."

We'll see Stephane, we'll see.


Quote Of The Day
"I almost lost an eye. It was a terrible day and although I was not traumatised, I wanted the trial to come round...He admits he behaved in a cowardly way, and he is a coward. We met one another on Monday. He was in one corner and me in another. He did not talk to me or apologise, but it did not trouble me to see him again" - Ousman Dabo plays it cool.


Non-Football Endorsement Of The Day
"What is freaky to me is the media and Hollywood is so convinced that Middle America and mainstream America cares what it thinks" - Hollywood actor Stephen Baldwin rails against the mainstream media, shortly before telling people to vote for John McCain on Fox News.


Forum Thread Of The Day
'What's The Silliest Reason For Your Girlfriend To Fall Out With You?'

Non-Football Headline Of The Day
'Armada Than You' - The Sun do rather well with Brave Andy Murray's Wimbledon exit.

Worst Non-Football Headline Of The Day
'Spainful For Andy' - But The Daily Star stink the place out.

Non-Football Story Of The Day
'Police are quizzing the rector of holy shrine Lourdes after £350,000 given by pilgrims allegedly turned up in his bank account. Father Raymond Zambelli is also treasurer of the sanctuary in south-west France, famed for its miracle cures' - The Sun.


Thanks to today's Mediawatch spotters Dr D Tickner and Alex Frew McMillan. If you spot something for this page, mail theeditor@football365.com, putting Mediawatch in the subject field.