BILLY BUNTER

Weblog: The football punter

Rain does not bode well for Reds on Potteries trip

I was sat in front of the telly on Monday taking in the rather mundane action at the Amex Stadium when there was this strange noise against the window.

I thought it was probably just kids, but remembered that in every TV programme or film I have ever watched when someone explains something that has happened as 'probably just kids', it's never just kids. It's always something a darn sight moresinister.

It wasn't a one off. It was incessant and became stronger as the wind howled, but it was only after Mrs B came back into the front room with a wet coat and an even wetter dog that I realised it must be raining.

There is always something soothing about football being played in wet weather and I cannot wait until November when the yellow balls will be dusted off and Sky's Sunday afternoon games kick off in virtual darkness.

But tonight provides the first test of one of the game's great levellers. Just who has got it in them to get a decent result on a wet night in Stoke?

It's Liverpool's chance to set the benchmark tonight in the Carling Cup, so how are Luis Suarez and the like going to get on at a windy Britannia?

I'm not sure about them. King Kenny will be looking to go for it in the Carling Cup, mainly because the Reds have no European football to go for this season and it is a major trophy after all – just ask Birmingham City.

They've already lost there once this season when it wasn't raining and it wasn't a Wednesday night.

It can't bode well, can it.

I'm siding with the Potters. After all, it's a difficult place to go.