Smudger Smith: Ashley Cole, KP, Roy Hodgson; everyone is sorry so I apologise too

The Journeyman Pro

Ashley Cole and John Terry (GETTY IMAGES)

In a professional career spanning almost two decades, Simon "Smudger" Smith has played for over 67 clubs. The ultimate utility player, as his pace has diminished he has reinvented himself time and again, from poacher to holding midfielder, centre-back to goalkeeper.

If the season finished today, Chelsea would be champions. Also, Reading and Sunderland would be understandably aggrieved at playing fewer games than everyone else. The Stamford Bridge boys have done a great job of ignoring all their off-field controversies, the latest of which is the Ashley Cole Twitter scandal. Having missed the boat on this, I looked through his page. The only one that looked contentious to me was back on 14 September: 'Wow @kylieminogue is hot in that video, spinning around, love the 90s.' As Ms Minogue rightly replied, the song was from 2000. It's a glaring error and deserving of reprimand but I can't help but feel a full disciplinary process might be a bit much.

Manchester City also cruised to a comfortable win and I'd like to come out and congratulate Joe Hart on the clean sheet. He drew all kinds of plaudits midweek but now it's gone surprisingly quiet when he didn't concede at all.

I must say it was an excellent advert for football on Sky Sports on Sunday afternoon. I'm not much of a La Liga fan, but the promo really made that evening's match between Barcelona and Real Madrid look exciting. Cracking choice of music.

The other big news is the speculation as to whether Alan Shearer will take the Blackburn job. I have a lot of respect for the man as he is never afraid to put himself forward. He is always the first man to put his hand up (especially when he's scored). If he does go to Blackburn, I'm sure Mr and Mrs Venky will be delighted with him.

There has been a spate of apologies this week with Roy Hodgson, Ashley Cole and Kevin Pietersen all expressing remorse, so I feel it's a suitable time for me to do the same. I realise that I have let some fans down over the years. I would like to say sorry for any success my on-field mistakes may have cost your club between 1988 and the present day.

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