That is why any compromise solution to the German contract must consider all these other issues. The next few days will be very interesting indeed.
What they'll be is predictable. In the Easyjet Grand National (Luton, 3.30pm, £1000/month) my money is on Scaredy-Cat.
By no means a horse amongst the first-class thoroughbreds of the field, he is from lower-grade stock, resulting in a somewhat neurotic, passive and even grateful nature. As with all geldings, his castration soon after joining his present stable has accentuated his natural qualities, helping him become
calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday working animal.
Given his complete lack of balls, over the last couple of seasons he has demonstrated a disappointing attitude, often laying down and rolling over before the race has passed the first furlong. He's recently been run with blinkers in an effort to prevent distraction from the fact he's been often been ridden backwards, allowing him to be grateful that he has been given a race at all.
500-1 no hoper.
What'll happen? They'll increase the German contract a bit, it'll still be pretty **** by most standards. The rest of the stuff, Yes We Really Must deal with it yes of course, but there's the deadline coming by which we've got to get this contract signed off. It's the German law you see. It's only a few weeks away, if we can't agree to just this increase we'll be forced to revert to the original offer. Now given that glaciers melt faster than the other issues will take to be slow-played, plus the fact you'll be so grateful that you've wrung an illusory increase (but big kudos for not biting at a first offer for once) and that if you start arguing, you're worried you'll lose this increase-it's-not-so-bad-after-all-there-is-a-recession-and-we're-lucky-to-have-jobs, you'll bite their hands off. Naturally, you'll say you'll be back right away to deal with these other issues. They'll be kicked far into the long grass, and you'll have taken another step towards nudging your "career" to where your pension currently resides in the toilet bowl. I'll say well done chaps and everyone can go home (or do to a budget airport hotel on an industrial estate) relieved the victory has been snatched from the jaws of defeat.
Willing to put money on this, if you've got any left.