My frustration with Mark Hughes is fairly obvious. Playing Darius Vassell and not playing Elano are just a couple of reasons. Today however maybe the worm turned ever so slightly as I was treated to Hughes magnificently savaging Ferguson, Wenger, Benitez, Moyes and others in the Daily Express. Essentially Hughes said that it's in their nature to court publicity, complain and attempt to play mind games as managers because they didn't make the grade as players.

Classic.

No really! One of the best put downs from one manager to others that I can recall.

Interesting comments from Kolo Toure about Arsenal and the lack of leadership over the last couple of years. Where I pick Arsenal in my Premier League predictions is going to be a bit of a surprise, but it is related specifically to this point.

I'd also like Michael Johnson to leave the club. OK, wipe off the tea you just spluttered onto your monitor and let me explain. Once healthy Johnson needs a good run of play to get his game fitness at a reasonable level. I'd suggest a manager who embraces good quality flowing football, say Tony Mowbray at Celtic, as a perfect destination for a 5 month loan until the New Year.

Elsewhere... Adrian Mutu the former Chelsea player has lost his appeal against the damages award that Chelsea won over his failed drug test and subsequent dismissal from the club. I doubt they will, but I'd strongly suggest to Chelsea that now is the time to drop this. The award of over 14 million pounds in damages seems fairly excessive, but the point in law has been made and the precedent set. Mess around with drugs and the club can and will look for damages. I'd like to see Chelsea offer a settlement of say 1 million to Mutu. It's not like Chelsea need the money and the clubs have got everything they need. Showing compassion at this point is taking a high road while making it perfectly clear to the players where the responsibility lies.