CHARLIE ADAM is desperate for his football fix, climbing the walls now that he is one of the Premier League's most wanted.
He has abandoned his regular trips to Old Trafford and Anfield, worried he'll set tongues wagging if he turns up to watch the elite again.
That's the price he pays for being nominated PFA Player of the Year, recognition for his remarkable debut season in the Premier League with Blackpool.
Adam said: "I used to go to watch Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton all the time, but I can't do that now because everyone thinks it means I'm moving there. Instead I have to sit at home and learn by watching the games on the television.
"I love watching the best players in the world and I'm fortunate enough to have played against some of them.
"Scott Parker, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes and Jack Wilshere are all exceptional players.
"I watched Wilshere play for England in midweek and he drives the team on at 19 and that's phenomenal. He's going to be world class."
Adam is a football freak, an obsessive with the drive and determination to reach the top of the game. He is getting there with his powerhouse performances, those stellar contributions from the centre of midfield turning heads in high places.
Adam's driven beyond belief, with six goals in his last seven games keeping Blackpool out of the Premier League's bottom three.
That's why the top teams want him so badly, preparing to cherry-pick Blackpool's best player at the end of the season.
He's up there with Nemanja Vidic, Scott Parker and Carlos Tevez in the PFA list, something that can never be taken away from him.
Adam added: "When we came into the Premier League I doubt the top players even knew who I was or whether they could name the Blackpool team.
"I'm playing my football at Blackpool because no one else in football wanted to sign me, so I'm very proud of the honour.
"There are so many world-class players in English football and I'm as proud as you can imagine to be nominated. It's phenomenal to be recognised by my fellow professionals and it really does feel like I've achieved something.
"I voted for Scott Parker. He's one of the best and has been outstanding this season. I love watching what he does and I aspire to be at his level. He drives his team on, just like Lampard or Gerrard. His team-mates get a lift from what he does."
Blackpool's players feel the same way about their captain, a fearsome competitor on the field and a good friend to them off it.
He leads by example, taking responsibility for the team's fortunes on the field in their first season in the Premier League.
Somehow he has put the transfer speculation to one side, moving up another gear even after moves to Tottenham and Liverpool fell through.
The Scotland international said: "If my performances for Blackpool are good enough then maybe an opportunity will come back. Even the manager has said something similar to me, but for now I'm just concentrating on the next eight games.
"I would never say I don't want to be here. I'm proud to play for Blackpool, it's a club with great heritage and tradition. I also want to play in the Champions League again and to play at the highest level I can. If the chairman and manager decide it's right for me to leave in the summer then that's up to them.
"Being at Blackpool changed my life for the better. I met my girlfriend here, we're getting married soon and the experience has been great."
At 25, he's a polished performer, on the radar of all the top teams after making such an impact in the Premier League.
He readily admits he was frustrated in January, attempting to force a move by handing in a transfer request.
It nearly came off for him. He was within 40 minutes of signing for Tottenham when the clubs started to talk at 10.20pm on deadline day.
Adam added: "Tottenham was very last minute, they always seem to do things that way. It was a difficult time for me because when I left Rangers I thought I might never play for a top, top team again.
"Liverpool, Aston Villa and Spurs all wanted me and I was proud and honoured to be associated with them. I hope I reacted in the right way. They are all massive clubs, but as soon as the window closed that was it.
"January was probably the best I've played all season but of course there was a big distraction in the background. If I had left then, someone else might have come in and it might not have worked.
"The fans have been terrific. Real supporters understand the opportunity to go and play in Europe. Handing in a transfer request was a big thing to do, but it was down to frustration more than anything.
"Once the window was shut that was it. We played Villa in the next game and the players were singing 'You'll never walk alone' and even the manager saw the funny side.
"But then it was on with the performance."
They need a few more out of him before the end of the season, travelling to Fulham today for the latest leg of their Premier League adventure and the search for points which would see them stay in the top flight next season.
Ian Holloway's team are no pushovers, twice scalping Liverpool and providing plenty of other surprises this season.
Adam is unquestionably the heartbeat of the club, a demanding captain who calls the shots from the centre of midfield.
He added: "The buzz of the Premier League never wears off, but we're not here to make up the numbers. People look up to the captain. I'm 25 but I played with experienced players at Rangers.
"This club is on the upward curve and everyone knows that if they play us they're going to get a game. Even when we were at Arsenal and lost 6-0, we still had chances.
"I looked at the bench and they had players like Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas sitting there. They have top class players here, there and everywhere - everyone knows who they are."
After a season in the Premier League, Adam's cover has already been blown.
