ROLL-UP, roll-up, it's time to welcome Mr Reid to the Reebok - let's hope we don't get a repeat performance of the Southampton game!

Sunderland like to attack and with the 6ft 10 Niall Quinn and 5ft Kevin Phillips they are always difficult to defend against. But if we can get a result at Highbury with ten men I reckon we can win this weekend at the Reebok.

Last weekend loads of punters backed Bolton at 5/2 with a goal start - they were queuing up on Monday to collect their winnings!

Top Tips

As you might imagine I enjoy a bet myself but I got my fingers burnt two years ago when I offered 50/1 against Kevin Phillips to be top Premiership scorer.

We've got shops up in Sunderland and the punters up there knew something I didn't! Could it be the same this time with Michael Ricketts? Pre-season we had him at 200/1 - I've just checked and guess what? We've taken a lot of bets at those long odds. He's down to 50/1 this weekend and that's after the fantastic dance routine he performed on Arsenal's six yard line last Saturday - anyway it's there if you want it!

Man City

Another amazing result was City's 6-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday. I must admit I'm getting a bit twitchy about the way they are playing - we've had some large bets on City scoring 100 goals and getting 100 points this season.

Michael Owen

That hamstring injury looked bad - I'm gutted for the mighty midget - looks like he'll miss the chance to play against Greece but more to the point if he's out for a while then Liverpool will definitely not be winning the premiership title and the Scousers will be paying for my summer holiday again next year!

Tax Free Betting

The countdown is on to one of the most significant changes to the betting industry since the legalisation of betting. On October 6 all bets will be tax free which coincides with the England/Greece game and the Arc de Triumph/Cambridgeshire weekend. I

anticipate an increase in business as a lot of the off-shore betting will come back to the British bookies - let's say thank you to Mr Brown.

Going Down!

With the Wanderers doing so well I think its safe for us to have a look at the other end of the table. You can get a good odds naming the three teams to be relegated - here's a few examples based on a £10 bet:

£390 Derby, Charlton , Everton. £490 Southampton, Blackburn, Everton, £360 Derby, Middlesboro, West Ham.

qAll the prices quoted in my column are correct at time of going to print and available from Done Bookmakers shops throughout the area.

Dones Bookmakers: The Official Bookmakers at the Reebok Stadium.