Players Under The Microscope / Gary Speed / 05 October 2007 /

Bolton's evergreen midfielder tells us about reunions with Sam Allardyce, investing wisely and why Drogba's sending-off was a blessing

Football, I suppose, is a bit like the Army. A soldier always calls his officer 'Sir'. And a footballer always addresses the manager as either 'boss' or 'gaffer'.

It's an odd convention that has stayed despite the changing times. These days how many people who work in offices or factories would call their boss by anything but his first name? But it hasn't altered in football and it's even more strange because once you've worked for somebody you tend to call them 'boss' or 'gaffer' for evermore.

The thought struck me last Sunday when I was asked to be in the studio for Sky for their coverage of the Everton and Middlesbrough game - and as soon as I saw Sam Allardyce there the first thing I said was: "Gaffer, how are you?" I mean I got on so well with him when he was manager at Bolton that I'd sometimes call him by his first name then, so why don't I now? We're two grown up (or reasonably grown up) men after all.

But then it's one of those old fashioned things that I hope won't change because just like the Forces you need a bit of discipline and respect in a football club so that the manager's wishes, by and large, get carried out without question. I saw Kenny Dalglish the other day and called him 'boss" as well, it's how I would definitely address Sir Bobby Robson if I met him - and probably the only manager I've ever worked for that doesn't fit the category is Mark Hughes. He was "Sparky" when we were both players in the same Welsh team, and he was still "Sparky" when he was Wales manager!

It was good to catch up with Big Sam last week - and terrific to see him so full of enthusiasm for his new job. He never stopped talking about it! It's always amazed me how Newcastle have changed one manager after another and still had the same problem - they can't defend. So can Sam change that? I think he might do. He's started trying to get things right at the back, and after their performance at Manchester City he was highlighting some of the things he still needs to do. I know he's brought some good players in and having worked with him on the training ground I'm pretty sure he'll get his ideas across to them in time. (I noticed that Newcastle are 2.2 to beat another of my old clubs Everton on Sunday and I think that's not a bad bet.)

I've got to admit I really enjoy working for Sky. I love watching live games when there's no pressure because it's not your own team in action, and it's very interesting seeing the way all the production works behind the scenes.

That bit of media work - including writing this column - is exactly what suits me outside of football at the moment though. My main ambition when my boots do get to be hung up is to have a go at coaching and management and I'm already discovering how much time that takes up. I saw that Thierry Henry was unveiling his own clothing range this week, and it's interesting how some players get very involved in other businesses. I

t's a bit of a minefield because it's no secret that footballers in the Premier League earn good money these days, and there is always somebody with an idea to help you invest it! For the younger players in particular it's a dangerous area because people will suddenly become their new best friend and then produce the investment scheme. You need good, reliable advice.

It can happen to older players too, though. I think that Lee Dixon got his fingers burned investing in some Balti restaurants at one time and there were several other players involved in that same venture. But equally there are plenty who have done very nicely, thank you, out of their outside interests - with Robbie Fowler's property empire being the most obvious example. I've been fortunate that I've been with my agent and business manager Hayden Evans since I was a young player at Leeds and he's always given me very sound advice.

I've never wanted to get involved in a business as such - if I did I would want to get very hands on and there simply isn't the time. When you are playing it's important to get proper rest in between games and training. I'm always trying to explain to my wife that when I'm sitting in the armchair watching the telly I'm actually working!

There's also a lot of plotting and planning that goes into preparing for games - especially something like our match with Chelsea on Sunday. We're delighted to be going into that now on the back of a five game unbeaten run after getting through the UEFA Cup qualifying game on Thursday night. It's no secret that we've not had a good start to the season but the confidence is growing match by match now - although we also know Chelsea, for all their problems, had a very good win in midweek in Valencia. It's fair to say nobody at Bolton was too sorry to see Didier Drogba sent off last week! He looks back to his best form and will of course be suspended on Sunday. That won't make the game much easier because they are clearly recovering from the loss of Jose Mourinho and moving forward again.

Speaking of Chelsea and their former managers, it's been fascinating to see how Claudio Ranieri has made such an impact at Juventus. Their win in the Turin derby last weekend took them to second in the Italian table, and I noticed you can still back them at 8.8 to go all the way and win the League. It will be tough, but I wouldn't say impossible because of course they won't have the added stress to the squad of playing in the Champions League that the other top Italian clubs will have to deal with. And if you look at the spine of experience down the centre of the team - with Buffon in goal, Pavel Nedved in midfield and a combination of Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet up front then there's plenty to help the young kids in the squad through. I'd certainly think that after beating Torino last week they'd be worth backing at 3.15 to get another three points away to Fiorentina.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: