Last updated 21:27, Thursday, 21 August 2008

WE ARE always told that it’s not over until the fat lady sings. A statement which is probably not very PC nowadays but as of Saturday night, one thing is for sure – it is wrong!

Bookmakers Paddy Power have already paid out on Stoke City to be relegated from the Premier League after losing 3-1 to Bolton.

And even more amazing was that Kevin Davies got on the score sheet.

The pay-out will cost them about only £30,000, but it is the first time a bookie has paid out on a season-long bet on the first day of the campaign.

Even funnier than the story was a statement from them, which said: “Stoke fans knew they were in for a tough season just to survive and this defeat has confirmed it. If you’re losing to the likes of Bolton there really isn’t much hope.”

Now, if I were a Stoke fan I would be seriously miffed, but the Irish bookies are no strangers to controversy.

Their Spanish website holds bets on bullfights, to the disgust of the animal rights lot, and they also had a bet on who would replace Pope John Paul II in 2002 and 2005.

In fairness to them, they are probably right, Stoke will go down, but this latest bit of publicity is a bit harsh if you are a Potters fan.

• I GOT a bit excited last weekend. No I wasn’t out on the lash, nor was I getting a takeaway - credit crunch, you see - but it was the start of another season of Match of the Day.

Okay, Alan Hanson was still there, but I ignored his negative comments. I was just pleased to be watching the footy again.

And I am hoping to get down to Reds a lot this season. Especially after watching them in pre-season destroy my beloved Carlisle United.

Madge, the lady I sit next to in the press box, still hasn’t let me forget it, but it was great to see Reds playing with the same spirit on Tuesday night against Harrogate.

From back to front the lads looked comfortable on the ball, but they lacked the clinical finish.

Johnny Wright’s partnership with Dan Robinson will be key this season after losing Michael Reed and Matthew Berkeley, but the two look to be working well already.

Behind them the old head of Graham Anthony will also be a major factor in Reds’ season, but for me it is great to see Dave Hewson back playing football injury free.

If he can keep out of the treatment room then it will be like a new signing this year.

He rejected a move to Scottish league new boys Annan Athletic in the summer and he will be one of Darren Edmondson’s main men in this campaign.

I don’t know how Reds didn’t win that game, but one thing is for sure – if they continue to play like that then they will be pushing for the play-offs in May.