Football is only different because of the increased potential for the domino effect putting so many other clubs out of business. The rule that needs to be changed is how much transfer debt they are allowed to rack up and needs to be looked at by FIFA. Until then though, having other clubs as preferential creditors is the best answer to a poor situation.

They may not get THAT money, but they'll continue to get money in from Portsmouth's future trading, and those of the other English clubs concerned. If Portsmouth went completely I very much doubt there'll be able to be a replacement for future revenue to HMRC. What I meant by them nearly always getting their money is that they will be around long enough to recoup it. Other clubs may not.

I never said it was right, I said it makes sense.

What would make sense would be for the footballing powers that be to scrap the ridiculous preferential creditors rule, and any club going into admin to be forced to find a suitable solution for all creditors, including HMRC (ie you and me the taxpayer).

Once one club were unable to do that and went bust there would have to be a sea change in how clubs were governed, which would prevent them running up these tax debts they couldn't pay in the future, and stop the country being cheated out of the tax revenues it is owed.

Ashley has already used all of his SportsDirect gift vouchers to bring Perch in, so can't see much more activity for us lot unless the players are available on loan or free transfer/pocket money sums.

You think the Football League would continue a team down for the rest of time?

What about the rest of the creditors? The window cleaners, et al. Who cares if they go bust as long as the football clubs are ok.

Sergi Samper - remember the name. That lad is going to be one hell of a player.

Norwich 2 Watford 3, full time. A pretty entertaining start to the season, hopefully more of the same to come.

Five goals sounds great value. What more do you want?

cash + Ireland in a deal valued at £27.5m for James Milner.

genius business by Villa, I rate Milner but that is mental, Ireland is a cracking player

He's fallen out of favour a bit at City of late but I reckon O'Neill could get him back to some consistency.

12 months ago the notion that City would exchange Ireland for Milner and pay a significant fee on top would have been laughable.

Its quite possible that O'Neill will revitalise his career but probably only if he adapts Villa's playing style to suit Ireland. Ireland was a cracking player two years ago playing in a 4-5-1 with a mandate to get forward as much as possible. But he really struggled last year when we switched to a 4-4-2 and he was asked to play a deeper, more disciplined role. Which, considering he'd played all of his junior football in that role, was hard to understand.

It was clear last year that Ireland coudn't play in the same team as Tevez. It will be interesting to see how he fits into Villa's team, particularly whether him and Agbonlahor can gel.

Seems like Elmander has finally worked out where the goal is. Another pre-season goal against Osasuna last night.

I hope to be proved wrong but I'm sure once the regular season starts, normal (lack of) service will be resumed.