Quote of the day

"I always got on fine with Shearer but when Bobby Robson went, maybe I resented him a bit for how the manager left. That's where my relationship with him broke down."

Is it just me, or is no-necked text pest Craig Bellamy really implying that Wor Al played a role in Sir Bobby's departure? And if so, why the hell didn't his interviewer, Mirror hack Oliver Holt, ask him to clarify and justify the comment?

Bellamy also took the opportunity to play down his contretemps with John Carver before the Real Mallorca fixture in 2004, claiming "I didn't throw a chair at him. I threw a chair out of the way to go and argue with him. It nearly hit Shay Given but that was it". Anyone else convinced? Shay must be delighted to once again be in danger of low-flying items of furniture at Man City...

On the subject of Carver, it's worth mentioning that he recently made a return to English football following a spell in charge of MLS side Toronto FC. He won't have to wait long for a reunion - we play his Plymouth side in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Meanwhile, less happy news for another former coach (and Academy boss), Alan Irvine, sacked by another of our Championship rivals Preston.