The ongoing Bobby Zamora story is panning out like something from the pages of Roy of the Rovers.

It was not that long ago Zamora was a teenager kicking his heels in Bristol Rovers' reserve team, frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities. Now, almost three years on, he is probably the hottest young striking property outside the Premiership.

A 31-goal haul in Albion's championship winning season last year appears to be merely an entre for bigger and better things. His current record goal-scoring feat well and truly puts him up there as one of the greatest players to have ever pulled on an Albion shirt. But how long will it all last?

It is not a case of if Bobby leaves but when and events over the weekend highlighted the fevered interest in him.

Live on TV the Albion scoring record was broken. Having said that, in the pub the following day a Worthing-based Palace fan, who will bring the house prices down, complained that the aforementioned strike was a little bit scrappy to which I reminded him, as he supped on his Top Deck Shandy, that they all count however they go in.

On Sunday a number of national papers were claiming that Bobby was on his way out of Withdean. Depending on which one you believe it was either north to Everton for a regular fight against relegation or White Hart Lane for guaranteed mid-table mediocrity and weekly visits to Eileen Drewery.

One quality Sunday stated that it was in fact a done deal, Bobby was Tottenham- bound next summer with the Albion receiving £5million.

Peter Taylor quickly denied this and frankly he is lucky to have a chairman in Dick Knight who would not do anything behind his back. I can think of a few former incumbents of the Albion boardroom who would have flogged Bobby off whilst the manager was at lunch!

But, realistically, if that is the sort of deal on offer the Albion cannot say no. Taking out Bristol Rovers' sell-on cut, Albion would still be left with something over £3million.

I think the Albion faithful will be prepared to bid Bobby a fond farewell provided the majority of that money is spent on team strengthening, in particular a direct replacement who will score 20 goals next season, hopefully in Division One. As everyone knows they do not come cheap!

Those kind people at EA Sports have come up with their annual freebie and given a me a copy of FIFA 2002 for the Playstation 2. Apparently this is well on the way to being the top selling sports game this Christmas.

One of my readers can have this in their mitts in preparation for a festive feast of footballing fun, and try saying that when you have been at the sherry.

Just tell me which club Brighton signed Bobby Zamora from in August 2000 and then send your answer to Hart of the Matter, Playstation Competition, Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton BN1 6GB. The closing date is Wednesday. December 19. The winner will be drawn and receive their prize in time for the Queens speech.

For the non-playing Playstation generation it appears that Christmas has in fact come early in the shape of the drastic loss of form by Manchester United. Surprisingly languishing ninth in the Premiership, the Red Devils' current plight attracts as much sympathy from the British footballing public as David Bellotti would do broken down on the hard shoulder of the M23 in torrential rain.

It is all very well buying up all these quality players, yes their squad is strong but it is clearly too big and the only way Sir Alex can appease all his prima donnas is by the ineffectual squad rotation system.

No one sheds any tears at United's apparent demise. Their stranglehold on our domestic game has done more harm than good.