The bi-annual scramble of the transfer window holds a less than flattering mirror up to our national game as the economic madness of top-flight football is exposed for all to see.

Agents drip greed into the ears of receptive players as clubs desperate for a mid-season boost will pay whatever it takes to avoid falling from the Premier League cash cow.

Money has infected the game to such a degree that nothing seems to shock the average supporter anymore as we get used to our “heroes” being indulged to an obscene degree.

Take Jose Bosingwa at QPR. He’s hardly set the world on fire since joining from Chelsea but refused to sit on the bench when dropped from the team to play Fulham by manager Harry Redknapp.

Even ‘Arry was stunned by that one and fined his full-back two weeks wages – around £100,000.

Which will give you a clue why Jose would rather go shopping than slip on a bubble coat.

Meanwhile across the capital at Arsenal fans are urging Arsene Wenger to treat Theo Walcott with kid gloves in a bid to “persuade” him to sign a new £100,000-a-week contract.

Walcott has already turned down £75k a week and the threat of him jumping ship is causing panic among the Gooners faithful.

Now Walcott is a decent winger, and could be an even better centre forward, but he’s hardly in the Ian Wright class yet.

He doesn’t seem a greedy lad – he’s just asking the going rate for a talented footballer.

And that’s the problem when average players are making £1m plus a year – those with a bit more about them can demand the world.

Nicolas Anelka is currently being hawked around at the £100,000-a-week mark after scoring three times last year in the Chinese Super League.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is keen on Anelka.

Perhaps he could play alongside Andy Carroll who is currently costing the Hammers £80,000-a-week during a loan spell which has lasted four months so far yielding 10 appearances and one goal for his £1.4m in wages.

I could go on with umpteen examples of money madness but it’s too depressing so let’s have a look at this weekend’s FA Cup programme as a way of making a few quid ourselves.

Man City will be all guns blazing to win the competition this year and they are my headline tip at 9/2 with Paddy Power to lift the cup.

There’s sure to be a few shocks along the way and I like the look of Crawley at 15/8 at home to beat a Reading side with more important battles to face while Swansea are a big price at home at 23/10 to beat an Arsenal side who are starting to believe their own hype again.

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Running Total for all 2013 bets to a £10 stake:   £0.00