BILLY BUNTER

Weblog: The football punter

Shrewd shopping makes Toon-Spurs look a belter

WITHOUT wanting you to feel that your life is being wished away, I am reluctant to be preaching when I say you should really know that it’s only ten weeks until Christmas.

I know this because Mrs B is driving me mad.

I’ve got nothing against the supermarkets putting out all the chocolates early doors - when is it permissible to buy the first tin of Yuletide Roses by the way? – but she’s been flicking through a social diary which is beginning to get full of engagements which are threatening to get in the way of the important business of the Festive period, namely watching loads of football.

She’s talking about a trip abroad to get some goodies at one of those markets.

You can get a boat to Belgium or fly to Germany and trips to town are becoming a physical battle as I attempt to drag her away from the travel agent’s window. But there’s only one place to do you’re shopping and that’s France. Just ask Alan Pardew.

Now Pards was not a popular appointment at Newcastle.

They love their hometown heroes up there and he didn’t fall into that bracket.

And owner Mike Ashley was accused of being unambitious and tight.

But lo and behold they are right up there and still unbeaten as we career towards Halloween.

The basis of this has been some shrewd buying by Pardew and his predecessor Chris Hughton, with the French market reaping rewards.

They’ve got a strong midfield now with Yohan Cabaye looking such a good player that even those bozos on Match of the Day have noticed that there is a good player in the Premier League whose name isn’t Rooney or Walcott (I know, I can’t work that one out either).

And there are others too.

They have tapped into a market that others have failed to exploit and are reaping the benefits.

It’s going to be a decent game against Spurs and I’m looking forward to sitting down and watching it.

I just hope Mrs B has got enough chocolates in.