Every writer since the beginning of time, just like other people, has been afflicted by what [a] friend of mine calls "the fleas of life"-you know, colds, hangovers, bills, sprained ankles and little nuisances of one sort or another.

Most books, like their authors, are born to die; of only a few books can it be said that death has no dominion over them; they live, and their influence lives forever.

Writing is a fine therapy for people who are perpetually scared of nameless threats . . . for jittery people.

Many people hear voices when no-one is there. Some of them are called mad and are shut up on rooms where they stare at the walls all day. Others are called writers and they do pretty much the same thing.

The people who now vote in the polls – coaches and writers – do not have enough time to watch a lot of football. We wanted to take advantage of all this experience and expertise we have in these great former coaches. Who better to judge teams than the people who have coached the game?

The people who now vote in the polls – coaches and writers – do not have enough time to watch a lot of football. We wanted to take advantage of all this experience and expertise we have in these great former coaches. Who better to judge teams than the people who have coached the game?