BILLY BUNTER

Weblog: The football punter

Poet Wilkins shows way with cheery politeness

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE weeks force a man to grapple with the serious issues of life and I’m coming round to the idea that Ray Wilkins isn’t such a bad pundit.

I know that’ll shock some of you, judging by the volume of abuse that Wilkins receives on the internet whenever he ascends to the gantry.

However, I’ve been won over by the man’s politeness. He kicked off the coverage of Manchester City’s game against Napoli with a cheery: “Good evening, one and all” and his trademark “My word!” is a refreshing alternative to the usual effing and blinding that spoils my TV viewing (most of it coming from Mrs Bunter, to be fair, when I’ve managed to grab the remote for once).

Trying to convey the atmosphere in the stadium after Napoli took the lead would have been a tall order for the Shakespeares and JK Rowlings of this world but Butch nailed it perfectly with “Well I must say, there is quite some atmosphere here now”.

That, my friends, is called painting pictures with words.

I’m no Wilkins-style poet so I’ll keep my tip for Friday’s League Two games simple: Barnet to beat Macclesfield.

There it is.

I know the Bees conceded six goals in their last home match but they kept a rare clean sheet last time out when they won at Bristol Rovers and with hotshot Izale McLeod up front anything’s possible.

Goodbye, one and all!