Capital One Cup; so we got the Scousers but missed the Scouse gits. After the routine demolition of the mighty Hull a slightly stiffer task awaits but at least we avoided our next premiership contestants Stoke City. Managed by Mark Hughes who whilst manager at City, bless him, recruited Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta bought for a song (you know the one). Stoke is a founder member of the football league and has won the all consuming Johnstone’s Paint Trophy not once but twice. Mind they’ve won the League Cup on one occasion, the Potters only top success.

Other common ground includes Alan Ball, Shay Given, Stephen Ireland, Mike Sheron and the Wonderful Mike Doyle my favourite after Billy.

Saturday’s early kick-off, don’t you just hate them? Wonder what it’s like watching it in Canada or Australia, beer and bacon or beer and curry.

Mike Doyle, although Ashton-born was nurtured as a Reddish lad. Disguised as a cocktail stick I used to sneak into the Victoria Ground on occasion just to watch Mike where he excelled on the field but even more so in the bar.