TS was delighted to be able to meet Man City chief exec Alistair Mackintosh, the accountant keeping a tight rein on the club’s finances.

A man keen on controls, he even provided the club’s departments with an accountant, to give a ‘bottom-up’ look at the club’s pecuniary diligence.

It does seem as if his penchant for controls has gone a bit too far though.

Offering TS a fizzy drink from a fridge in the home dressing room, Mackintosh found that it was all locked up, and he wasn’t allowed to be in permanent possession of the key.

A thirsty TS wonders if manager Stuart Pearce is getting more controlling in his old age.