Bruce, 2004 - Photo Struway CCA
The law of the footballing jungle is fairly simple. Bigger clubs will bully you, and you will bully smaller clubs. We know this to be true, and tacitly accept it. Every now and then, though, you catch a couple of stories together which reinforce it nicely. Steve Bruce of Sunderland did the hard work for us during the January transfer window:
22 January - Telegraph - Steve Bruce blasts ‘disrespectful’ Liverpool
Bruce insisted there has been no contact between the two clubs, despite repeated speculation on Merseyside that the Trinidad and Tobago international is to join Liverpool on loan before making a permanent switch during the summer.
He said: “I find it hugely disrespectful, the antics of Liverpool. I have huge respect for Liverpool and the way they have done their business and the way they have conducted themselves.
“But I have to say, this constant badgering of Kenwyne Jones when we as a club haven’t heard anything, and then I keep reading this nonsense that I’m going to allow him to go on loan because it’s a tax advantage for both clubs is the biggest load of rubbish I have read for weeks.
“As if I’m got to let our big, big player, one of our big, big assets, go on loan - I find it hugely disrespectful and I can’t understand where Liverpool are coming from.”
28 January - Sky Sports - Angry Wigan confirm bids - furious Martinez reveals ‘insulting’ offers
Roberto Martinez has confirmed receiving bids for left-back Maynor Figueroa, which he has described as insulting.
The Wigan manager has also launched a scathing attack on the agent of the Honduran, who he thinks is trying to engineer a move, with Sunderland keen to take him.
“In the window there is a lot of talk and speculation, and it is a great moment for the authorities to look into how much we need it,” said Martinez after the 2-1 defeat at Blackburn.
“We come into this game and one of my players has been surrounded by a lot of speculation and stories about him going away.
“Unhappy is not the right word. I’m disgusted.
“The authorities should look into the necessity of the window and the agents who have this power and unhealthy control in the game, with the backing of a Premier League club, and that’s disgusting.
“It gives the opportunity to certain agents to have a big say in the game. The power is given to the wrong people.
“We’ve had two insulting bids for the player, but he is not for sale. I’ve made it clear we’re not going to sell any of our best players.
[...] to go anywhere, and eventually doesn’t. And as for Figueroa, the bid came, but judging on Martinez’s comments and the fact that Figueroa is still at Wigan, it may not have been such a success [...]