BILLY BUNTER

Weblog: The football punter

I'm expecting Merseyside magic from luckless Robbo

I’M scouring the globe for a midweek bet but the choices are thin on the ground.

Some sort of Barcelona team are off to a place called L’Hospitalet in the cup but you’d need to be certified to get stuck into Barca at 2-11 given that most of their squad are flying over here to take on England.

It’s also a local derby and we know the formbook goes out of the window in local derbies.

So that brings us to Chesterfield versus Tranmere in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Or, of course, I could just sit at home, enjoy a nice meal and a glass of vino with Mrs B, maybe get a film out and start writing some Christmas cards while whispering a few sweet nothings into the dearly beloved’s ear.

Right, to Chesterfield it is then.

First things first, it’s a nice open heat and I’m on Les Parry’s visitors.

Rovers are having a great season and Parry is clearly looking forward to a double dose of cup action. He does warn, however, that Tranmere won’t win the FA Cup.

Thanks for that Les – I can scrub your name off my shortlist now.

But Wembley beckons for Rovers in the Paintball Cup and in particular Andy Robinson, one of the most luckless footy stars I’ve ever had the privilege of watching.

But for endless injuries the classy Robbo would have been a superstar and a little dash of the Merseysider’s magic – returning for the umpteenth time after yet another lay-off – should be enough to put Chesterfield in their place.