Mediawatch

His Heart's Desire
We could quite easily bring you a stack of clippings as high as your nose from assorted tabloid rags who claimed a few months ago that Emmanuel Adebayor would definitely be moving away from Arsenal.

It was hardly surprising there was so much speculation over this particular move when you take into account the words of the man himself over the summer.

However, you wouldn't think there was anything awry if you listened to what Arsene Wenger had to say after Adebayor signed a new contract.

"What happened in the transfer period did not always reflect his deep desire and there was manipulation from agents on both sides," said Arsene.

Ah. So all the uncertainty was down to those dastardly agents, and Manu himself didn't even consider moving anywhere else, right?

Hmmm. That's not the impression he gave during a wholly bizarre press conference on June 27, in which he declared his intentions to stay exactly where he was, then about 20 minutes later said:

"I am a footballer, I have a three-year contract at Arsenal but as you know, a lot of clubs are interested in me.

"At the moment we are just going to sit down and talk and decide what to do.

"Nothing has been decided yet. We will decide next week."

You could just feel his deep desire oozing through his words, couldn't you?


Don't Ask, Don't Get
Luiz Felipe Scolari has apparently been having a quiet word in Don Fabio's shell-like on the subject of the England captaincy, and blow us down with a feather, he recommended friend of the disabled and Americans, Mr John Terry:

"I say to my friend Capello that Terry is a very good choice," said Scolari.

"He is a proper captain. He is a man that when you say something to him he will help you achieve it."

Ahhhhh. So that explains it. Our old friend Schteve McClown obviously just forgot to ask Terry to help him qualify for the European Championships.

Either that or John just thought he was doing an impression of those gay police officers from Harry Enfield ("Thish ish Ronald, my partner and I'm alsho proud to shay my lover"), and just ignored him.


Surprising
Following his splendid about-turn on the subject of Big Phil last week, Ian Wright is at it again in his exciting column for The Sun.

He writes this morning: 'When you look at Phil Scolari's track record, we should not be too surprised by the dazzling football Chelsea delivered in their opening match.'

Hmmm. Maybe the rest of us weren't too shocked, but it sounds like Wrighty should have been a little more surprised, going by his thoughts back in July:

'He's a proven manager in the fact he's won the World Cup, but I think he did it with a Brazil team that any half-decent manager would have won it with.

'With the pressure he's under to try and gel a new team, it's going to be rocky unless he has an unbelievable start.'

Keep it up Wrighty.


Indispensable
"We'll see how the situation progresses. Chelsea have made it known to us that he is indispensable" - Branislav Ivanovic's agent Vlado Borozan, August 14.

"Branislav chose Milan and he told that to the club, and for that reason he will probably wear the Rossoneri shirt this next season. The deal will be done because no-one will keep an unhappy player...The problem at the moment is that Chelsea want four starters in the position and he is the fourth" - Branislav Ivanovic's agent Vlado Borozan, August 19.


Improving Things
"Financially, Newcastle United was in a difficult positon because I really do think that it had over-extended itself" - Mike Ashley, August 13.

'Michael Owen was last night offered £21million to stay at Newcastle. Owner Mike Ashley has handed the England striker the biggest deal in Toon history - a three-year contract worth a whopping £140,000 a week' - The Sun, August 19.


These Wounds I Had On Crispin's Day
Billy Gallas seems to think he did a decent job of captaining Arsenal last season.

"I really enjoyed the responsibility last season, everyone could see that, and I tried to do the best job I possibly could."

Quite so.


Brown Noser Of The Day
"Fabio Capello is very fair and you get the feeling that if you play well you will get in the team. It's a very professional set-up when you are with the squad and that is the way it should be. I wouldn't say it's frightening, it's an atmosphere of respect.

"It's not like a boarding school, it's enjoyable and the coach will have banter with you. His English is fairly good - better than what you might think from watching him on the telly.

"I'm looking forward to the chance to be involved against the Czech Republic at Wembley tomorrow."

Did Stewart Downing also bring Sir an apple?


Rumour Of The Day
'England have been snubbed by fans - with almost 30,000 tickets unsold for tomorrow's friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley. Just 62,000 seats have been sold for the final warm-up match before Fabio Capello's men begin their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign against Andorra in Barcelona in two weeks. The FA, eager to boost sales, will even sell tickets on the Wembley turnstiles tomorrow night' - The Daily Mirror.

Bitch Of The Day
"Some pople might not like relegation, promotion, relegation and promotion, but would you want to be Middlesbrough - stuck in mid-table every season?" - Birmingham owner David Gold. Just as well really.

The Highlight Of The Daily Telegraph's Interview With Ross Kemp
'"You're right," he nods, eating the little fruits delicately, neatly storing the pips in a white saucer with his big banana fingers.'

Headline Of The Day
None. They were all rubbish. It's almost as if something else is going on other than spurious football crap on the sports desks of the tabs. Shoddy.

Worst Headline Of The Day
'Ade-Stayor' - The Sun.

Non-Foobtall Story Of The Day
'A New Zealand judge has issued a scathing decision against the Auckland City Council, allowing tomorrow's Boobs on Bikes to go ahead. In a judgment released this morning, Auckland District Court Judge Nicola Mathers rejected a bid by the council to get an interim injunction preventing tomorrow's parade down Queen Street. Organiser and porn baron Steve Crow applied to the council for a permit to hold his annual parade but it was declined on the basis it was offensive' - Sydney Morning Herald.


Thanks to today's Mediawatch spotters Ian Kay and Matthew Houston. If you spot something that belongs on this page, mail theeditor@football365.com, putting 'Mediawatch' in the subject field.