MANAGERS’ and agents’ ringtones are being utilised to their full potential at this time of year, sometimes labelled the ‘The Crazy’ part of the season.

With dealings being done, money changing hands and loyalties being thrown out of the window it is an exciting time for the footballing world.

Bargains are what every manager and club seek, whether it be scrolling down the transfer list or picking up young talent to develop.

I cannot help but notice how over-expensive British players are compared to the rest of the world, a great example being Andy Carrol or James Milner; even more recently Jordan Henderson.

Although fantastic players, the tag I feel is way over priced.

Especially when you compare them to overseas snips Chicarito or Van Der Varrt.

It’s as if the British players are the Armani/Prada of white shirts and the overseas players the H&M/Topman brand.

Both white shirts, both do the same job but one will cost you £30 the other a month's wages.

Recently seeing the English under-21s being knocked out of the group stages of the European Championship emphasised the reality that young British players are fantastic but no more so than other countries’ youngsters.

You rarely see a young Czech player go for £24m or any other foreign youngster for that matter.

Of course it is not the players’ responsibility because a fee from a club can be demanded and of course the club bidding are a huge factor as well!

The Premiership is considered the best league in the world but the fact that a huge percentage of the players that make up the league are not British and that speaks volumes.

Frustration is the main emotion a footballer feels at this time.

We’ve all had our holidays, had our enjoyment for the summer but now we want to get back in to the swing of things.

As a player, I still love football even though it is my job and, like a spritely Jack Russell (the dog, not the cricketer), if I saw a ball around the pool on my break in Portugal, I had to kick it, head it or just be around it!

I’m ready to get back training and I’m sure all players feel the same.

During the off season, you spend a lot more time with loved ones and family but as everyone knows, although you care for them dearly, some things can get on your nerves a little bit and cause steam to come out of your ears.

I have quite a relaxed personality (League 2 referees will disagree) and it does take a lot for me to get angry but no more so than the quote “I’m going to give it/gave it 110%”.

The amount of times I hear this from sportspeople or mainly contestants on ‘The Apprentice’ is astounding!

If you’re going to give it your best, why not a billion maybe a trillion per cent of effort?

It is my worst pet peeve and my partner knows if the pointless saying comes on the television she should smoothly exit the room before I begin my tirade at the screen for 10 minutes!

Football is a crazy world, just look at the offside rule…….. Don’t get me started!

But we must remember it is a business for a lot of people and a career for many more, so of course there will always be ludicrous amounts of money and sky-high transfer fees but so long as the people who love the game keep turning up and the players keep giving 110% (sorry, couldn’t resist) the game will always be about enjoyment.