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I have nothing against Peter Odemwingie. Indeed, quite the opposite; I have fought an at times losing battle to ensure his name is spelt correctly. But in the past few days there must have been widespread temptation to add an h after the w and soften that g, as he has expressed disbelief at West Brom's refusal to weaken themselves and strengthen a potential rival in exchange for less than the market price.
Footballers hold so many of the aces in the modern game. Twenty years ago they were doing very nicely, thank you, as long as they spent long enough in the top division and were sensible during their careers. Gambling, drinking and the kind of problems that led Frank Worthington to reply "My ex-wife" when asked to name his most difficult opponent could derail them, as could serious injury.
That remains the case, of course, but it takes a genuine talent for prodigal behaviour rather than mere momentary weakness to burn through today's salaries, thanks in large part to the upwardly spiralling increase in the value of TV rights that began in 1992. Former leading Premier League pros end up owning bars and restaurants, not running one pub.
Unlike you or me, a footballer cannot be sacked for poor performance in their everyday work; they can hold their club to the contract offered except in exceptional, self-inflicted circumstances - Adrian Mutu's positive drugs test, for example. Even if they behave in ways that would lead to the sack for me or you, they often receive the backing of employers who cannot afford to throw away a player registration worth millions.
Frequently, playing as well as expected - no better - leads to lucrative renegotiation, thanks to the Bosman ruling that granted players freedom of contract when the years to which they signed up expire. Clubs' income rises with new TV deals and players expect their share. Meanwhile, far too few contracts contain automatic cuts in the event of the most obvious collective playing failure, relegation.
Effectively, players get a minimum of three, four or five years' salary on the basis of their potential, with remarkably few strings attached. There is one, though.
Players are, of course, free to agitate for a move if they wish and in most cases - as we know all too well - one will be granted. Just occasionally, though, it suits a club - let's call them West Bromwich Albion - to make a player abide by the commitment they made, to compel them to hold up their fairly narrow end of the bargain.
Mean old Baggies, denying their contracted employee the chance to work with Harry Redknapp at QPR.
Does your heart bleed too for Peter Odemwingie?
Philip Cornwall
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