I can't imagine any Shrewsbury players conducting themslves like Ashley Cole, says Ben Herd

English Football League / Ben Herd / 11 March 2009 / 1

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The Shrewsbury right-back talks about Ashley Cole's late night misdemeanours, his respect for Louis Saha and why he's not a fan of Wembley FA Cup semi-finals.

In the past week, every other news bulletin has reported on the progress made by a bunch of celebrities climbing a big mountain in Africa. One of these "celebrities" is none other than Mrs Cheryl Cole - it would seem that she's never at home! Which would seem quite handy for Ashley as it gave him the opportunity to hit London's trendy West End.

As everyone knows, this resulted in him getting arrested, and a fixed penalty fine of £80 - probably about a second's work! I believe "Cashley" was out on a Wednesday night with training the next day. Just going by our rules at Shrewsbury - and most clubs I know of - this isn't technically breaking any rules. Our rule is not to be on a licensed premises 48 hours before a game. However, that said, I for one wouldn't be going out when I have training the next day, and I'm sure my team mates are the same.

This is why I'm surprised at an international footballer's attitude and lifestyle. I mean, no one is saying that as a footballer your life has to be boring and you're in bed by 9pm everyday, but there are times and indeed places to be out enjoying yourself - and WC1 in the early hours probably don't come under either category.

This probably wouldn't have impressed Cole's new boss, Gus Hiddink, but he's handled it in such a way that it didn't become an even bigger issue. In the football world misdemeanours do occur and are dealt with internally, usually by some form of fine, but the best thing to do is get back to playing football, rather than being suspended by the club for a few days. The latter is in no-one's interest.

The question is, how would you fine a player that was only on a pay-as-you-play contract? Take for instance Louis Saha at Everton. David Moyes is one of the most under-rated managers plying his trade in the Premier League. Getting Saha on such a contract in the first place also shows good business acumen, given the striker's injury record. It also shows a good attitude from Saha's point of view. Clearly just playing, rather than chasing the money, is the single most important motivation for him.

As I speak to my mates in football, and indeed idle dressing-room chat, the general consensus is that, if you won the lottery and were "multi-millionaired" up, it would make you a better player. The reasons being mainly that it would relax you and free up any financial anxieties that you may have. Also, having spoken to players that have had decent careers, thus making them financially free, the overwhelming sense is that they just want to play football and money no longer becomes any issue for them.

As I said a few weeks ago, I went to the Carling Cup final at the new Wembley stadium. Don't get me wrong, I had a brilliant time (except for the result of course) but having been at a cup final at the old stadium, I was left feeling that the new Wembley lacks that intense atmosphere. I suppose I'm a traditionalist in a way, and the FA's decision to play the FA cup semi-finals at Wembley somehow devalues Wembley's importance to a certain extent.

For me, Wembley should be kept for show-piece events, preserved for the pinnacle of any competition. Club stadia these days can hold sufficient supporters and also, as a player, yeah it would be nice to play at Wembley - but for me it would have to be winning something there. That's why, when I played at Wembley, it was probably one of the most bitter-sweet moments of my career. Playing at Wembley was unbelievable, but the feeling of losing was unbearable.

Louis Saha's Everton take on Stoke this weekend and it is testament to the Toffees that they are still, mathematically at least, in with a chance of gate-crashing the top four. Unlikely in my opinion, especially when their one real flair player - Mikel Arteta - is ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

To be honest, I can't see this game being one for the football purist, but rather a good old-fashioned English battle. So for this week's bet I would plump for Under 1.5 goals at [3.5].

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Adam Slater | 12 March 2009

Another good read