Tony Pulis’s defence in a High Court battle with old club Crystal Palace has been described as “uncharacteristically slack”.
The West Bromwich Albion manager was ordered to pay the Eagles £3.7m plus Saido Berahino for walking out on them on the eve of the 2014-15 season, just two days after scooping a £2m bonus.
He claimed he needed the money sharpish in order to facilitate a purchase of land for his children, who prefer a more expansive style of play.
But with Jonny Evans badly out of position as a barrister, Pulis’s defence was a pale shadow of the one that graces Premier League fixtures.
Speaking exclusively to Football Burp, the Baggies boss lamented losing Berahino as part of the damages to Crystal Palace.
He grimaced: “Now I’ve got to wash my own damn car.”