Assou-Ekotto admits football is just a job, while Clichy has had enough of Eastenders' love triangle.
Who's been saying what in a sporting week of verbal sparring
Quotes of the Week has been in the game long enough to take speeches of guts and glory with a pinch of salt but it's been a while since we've had to reflect on a footballer saying 'I'm not that ars** really'. Even the most cynical of supporter expects their heroes to trot out rhetoric about how much the club means to them (while negotiating a move to their nearest rivals) but for Benoit Assou-Ekotto it seems it really is just a game after all. Conceding playing for Tottenham is 'just a job', the full-back has opened a can of worms about how much the average footballer actually loves playing. Elsewhere, there's been bickering at Stoke, Gael Clichy has had enough of the Christian-Syed-Amira love triangle and Ernests Gulbis has admitted to a little accident.
"It's only a job. Yes, it's a good, good job and I don't say that I hate football but it's not my passion. With Harry, it's cool. We don't speak a lot and he doesn't care if I smile or if I know who the next team we play is. If I do my job well, it's OK."
Benoit Assou-Ekotto. No explanation needed.
"It was a great gift."
Sir Alex Ferguson is surprised Steve Gerrard's backpass to Jose Reina was not wrapped in a big blue bow.
"Today people tend to show petulance, and I am talking about Tuncay and Kitson here....they live in a bubble and realities of real life wash by them." Stoke boss
Tony Pulis threatens to put his strike duo on the naughty step.
"Now it's like I'm responsible for everything. Cloudy in Stoke? That's Kitson's fault. The traffic's terrible? Blame Kitson for that too." Responded
Dave Kitson, before stamping his feet and muttering 'whatever' under his breath.
"I've lived here for seven years and watched it twice. It's even worse than French TV." Arsenal defender
Gael Clichy discusses the merits of Eastenders.
"I just sh*t in my pants."
Ernests Gulbis articulates how he dealt with the closing stages of his shock victory over Roger Federer.
"We don't deserve respect, we demand it. That lady (Sensi) can be a president, a doctor or born in a golden cradle but she has to respect us."
Jose Mourinho reacts to criticism from Roma president Rosella Sensi.
"Today is the start of the biggest match of my life. I will co-operate fully with the snooker authorities. I have built my reputation on honesty and integrity. Sadly, others have now damaged that reputation and it is now left to me to clear my name. I have never been involved in any form of snooker match-fixing."
John Higgins following allegations of match-fixing.
"I just stressed to John that this is something that is not going away but it will be treated as a very, very serious offence." Snooker supremo
Barry Hearn vows to get to the bottom of the matter.
"They started in that tournament in July. July! Crikey. I was on the beach."
Sir Alex pays tribute to the brilliant job Roy Hodgson has done at Fulham.
"We'll lock him up in a room or something so he can't go!"
Mark Schwarzer vows to kidnap Hodgson if he tries to escape Craven Cottage.
"I looked a bit of a wally to be honest, but I'll take that. No offence to ginger people but I'd play in a ginger wig if it meant me playing for this club."
Paul Benson admits he'd go ginger for Dagenham & Redbridge.
"You need to get your eyes tested!"
Ronnie O'Sullivan uses an old-school insult on referee Leo Scullion.
"I went to wave at a few fans and almost got strangled. I wish I hadn't brought my wife as she nearly got beat up!" Blackpool boss
Ian Holloway regrets getting carried away in his celebrations after securing the club a play-off spot.
"Please welcome snooker's finest ambassador...the ultimate king of the 90s with six world titles. Still a force to be reckoned with now, in his 50s. Ladies and gentlemen, he's a legend - Dennis Taylor!" The
MC at the Snooker World Championship welcomes Steve Davis to the Crucible faithful.
