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On the brink of death on Friday, feeling better on Saturday, - for almost any other club this would have been a dramatic and remarkable weekend, for Portsmouth it was business as usual.

Depressing, embarrassing and grasping business, but business all the same.

There's an old saying about laws and sausages; making them is an unappetising process. I have a feeling it is a similar story when it comes to company voluntary arrangements (CVAs), which is why it is regrettable Pompey fans had their Friday nights spoiled for no apparent reason.

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A precocious British talent, his illustrious team, a stand-off over money (or is it ambition?), mega-rich rivals waiting greedily in the wings and angry words about a lack respect...sounds familiar, doesn't it?

But while the media storm ran out of puff abruptly on Friday, Mark Cavendish's dispute with might just have what it takes to become a genuine bust-up.

He was in London this week to help promote , an excellent documentary about the 2009 Tour de France (if you know any cycling nuts, the Christmas gift dilemma is sorted), and was in typically forthright form on all matters apart from one - namely, which team he will be riding for in 2012?

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Four ago, a mistake was made that would have repercussions for years to come, bankrupt a sport and almost ruin an innocent woman's life.

When reigning 800m champion just before the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Canada, she was sent home in disgrace.

Almost a year later, however, (BAF) lifted her ban when it became clear her positive test was the result not of performance-enhancing drugs but the incorrect storage of her sample.

Nine months after the British authorities acknowledged the laboratory's error, the international federation followed suit. Modahl's reputation was restored and she was free to compete at the highest level again. The story should end here but it doesn't.

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