Adey's words of wisdom.

I'm not always sure why players speak about other players to the press, unless they're going to praise them. Criticising your fellow team-mates in public seems a risky thing to do with, as Roy Keane infamously showed, rather large consequences often following.

But when they come from the mouth of, already, one of my favourite players - Manu Adebayor - I suppose it's ok, especially when he seemed to be talking sense about the Jose Reyes situation:

"The most important thing in life is family, I understand that," said Adebayor to The Sun.

"But he is an Arsenal player and should not be talking about other teams.

"Maybe he should just go so we can all move on.

"Jose looks happy in training, he laughs and jokes and gets on well with the other players.

"But I think his family don't like England and that's why he wants to leave.

"Maybe his family have put pressure on him but in that case he should go because we don't need unhappy players bringing down our spirit."

Exactly. If he's unhappy, he should leave. But he doesn't always look unhappy. Indeed, at many points last year he looked fine on the pitch. So what's the real cause of his desire to leave? I think the whole situation of Jose living in a 'new Spain' that he's built for him and his family in North London has undoubtedly hindered the process of acclimatisation to English life. It also means that he has to think of far more than himself when he makes decisions about his playing career - not just the wife and kids [if he had any] but the whole extended family. That's a lot of weight on his little shoulders. I still want him to stay, but Adey's right: if he wants to leave he should do - and he certainly shouldn't be talking about Madrid in the way he does.

Whether he actually leaves remains to be seen, but, like Ashley Cole, if they dont end up going because we don't get a bid that is considered acceptable, they both need to grow up, swallow their pride, and play for the team. It's no good whining about it if these moves don't come off. Not that it seems that Cole will get a chance to whine, as his 'auto'-biography [footballers don't actually write their autobiographies] looks like its going to be shelved if he does stay with us. Oh well, I suppose the search for a new Tolstoy will just have to continue.

A move that does seem on the cards is Arturo Lupoli's loan to Derby. Where this leaves us in terms of strikers I'm unsure. With no Bendtner until Christmas, surely that would leave us with Rvp Adey and Thierry, with Reyes if he stays. Perhaps best to keep Arturo and give him a chance? I think he's worth a shot.

Congratualtions to Theo after scoring last night for the Under-21s. Only a true idiot would consider that he has been 'demoted' in that he's in the u21 and not full England squad. Like I keep saying, don't believe all the rubbish that will stream out of the press when Arsene only plays him intermittently - and that's at best - this season. I know Fab came through at a similar age, but I think Theo needs more nurturing. I'm confident he has the ability to be a top player for us and England, but the Sun et al shouldn't pressure him into being overused when he's still so fragile.

Finally, why are friendly International matches being played this week? It beggars belief. There's already been one serious, and completely pointless, injury sustained in the England camp with Dean Ashton's broken ankle yesterday. I know it's not just an FA decision to have these friendlies, but surely they can see now is not a great time for pointless matches. Many players are probably still tired from the world cup. And it won't be until Euro 2008 that we find out anything, really, about Steve McClaren's England. Expect him to drop Lampard sooner rather than later though, in another 'I'm not Sven, honest' decision.

Gb.