Player power, an expression used occasionally over the years, is now very much a part of football vocabulary.

I suppose with the sort of riches players have nowadays there comes a feeling of 'blow you, Jack'.

The obvious example is the Welsh midfield artist Robbie Savage, who had got himself suspended for the crucial game against England but was snapped up by the BBC to be a panellist on the game.

No doubt his hairdresser was called in for the special occasion and, while illustrating his use of the English language, Robbie was nearly as fluent as his incisive passes on the field.

At no time did he show any remorse for having let the national side down by being red carded. It was more a case of let's all be sorry for the fact that he had missed this opportunity to show off his undoubted skills against the English, who in his opinion, were far too arrogant.

I suppose it takes one to know one.

He was, of course, available to unleash himself against Poland in front of a packed house for Mark Hughes's last game in charge.

A lot of good that did Wales.

But then he came out with the classic that the players want Gary Speed and Brian Flynn to take over the job and if the FA of Wales have the cheek to appoint someone else, he thinks a few of the boys could be looking long and hard at the future.

The committee men must be quaking in their shoes at the thought of Robbie and his flowing locks not being seen in the red shirt any more.

And we also, of course, had another Beckham situation.

While we could all have some sympathy with the fact that his every move both on and off field is under a bigger-than-ever magnifying glass, if you live by the press you can expect to be hurt by them

He was quoted as saying that he got himself booked to serve his suspension while injured, which proves he has more brains than people give him credit for. It was a little bit like his wife telling us she could sing.

Every move seems to be thought out. We know there is a team of advisers surrounding him for instance and a couple of days after the incident a picture of him was taken as he left Real Madrid's ground. He was carrying a parcel with 'fragile' written on the side.

All, of course, produces a good photo for the papers and keeps the press boys happy.

But hang on a minute, wasn't this last week supposed to be about football?

Wales have lost a manager who was very popular, they now have an almost impossible task of qualifying for the World Cup Finals and have to appoint someone who can keep the ship steady even if it does rock as people like Savage jump off.

Sven did well for England with six points out of six, proving he can change systems while having a team with a very young average age. Giving the armband to Michael Owen worked, too. He conducted himself well both on and off the field.

So while television cameras everywhere are giving us many more insights into different aspects of the beautiful game, it really is still all about qualifying for the big tournaments.

And while those on the terrace are entertained by the title-tattle, they are more concerned with how their own local and national team performs.

Sometimes the powers-that-be lose sight of that fact and lose touch with the man who pays the wages at club level, in good times or bad.

He parts with a lot of money, not just to watch but to buy programmes and replica shirts which sometimes he can ill afford for him and his children.

While they do not expect to bump into their heroes walking down the street, it should never be forgotten that without the passionate support of the average man, the posh cars and big houses would remain unsold.