BILLY BUNTER

Weblog: The football punter

Loyalty has become a precious commodity

THERE'S not much room for loyalty in the modern world.

I've treated Mrs Bunter like a princess all these years, yet when put on the spot this week she confessed to feeling put out at how tubby I've got over the summer.

Well, what did she expect? With no proper footie to get stuck into this past month, it's been the chip shop rather than the bookies that's had to become the regular port of call for my evening strolls.

Similarly, for the second day running I'm opposing a manager who frankly deserves better than what he's having to put up with at the moment.

On Saturday it was Arsene Wenger as Arsenal struggled to come to terms with the loss of Robin van Persie and Alex Song, now it's Wigan boss Roberto Martinez.

Martinez has stuck loyal to Wigan in the face of several big opportunities in recent seasons, but he's seen Mohamed Diame jump ship this summer while Victor Moses has had his head turned.

It's the same story every year for Martinez so it's little wonder Wigan always take an age to gel and another slow start is on the cards against Chelsea.

The Blues generally need time themselves but only in order to gang up on the manager. For now everything is rosy at the Bridge - even Fernando Torres seems fit and in form - and they look bankers.

Still, Roberto Di Matteo can't expect any loyalty in this world. Chelsea could win their first six games and he'll still be looking for new employment by Christmas.