There's only one winner in the betting game - the bookie. Now, while Paddy Power are probably not even jumping the gun, their decision to pay out already to people who bet on Stoke City being relegated from the Premier League is an awful one.

It just doesn't ring true in a lot of ways. Bookies are not known for throwing their money around willingly. So to hand out the dosh with one game played and 37 still to go just doesn't add up - even if Stoke ARE going to get relegated.

Having seen them in action myself on Saturday at Bolton in their first game back in the top flight for 23 years there is no doubt the Potters face a long, hard season, will almost certainly return to the Cocal-Cola Championship next May and may well beat Derby County's unwanted tag of being the worst team ever to have graced the Premier League.

But Paddy Power's move has turned Stoke into the original Mr Angrys - and I for one can fully understand why.

It's tough and frustrating for Stoke manager Tony Pulis, his team and their fans to be labelled like this so soon after the big kick-off. And that had more than sunk in, judging by the reaction of some Stoke officials and fans after that depressing start at the Reebok.

I was verbally attacked by Pulis and one of his minnions outside the Press room at Bolton after the game when they overheard a telephone conversation I was having with my boss on the People sports desk.

He was asking me to name a ''shocker'' from the game - someone who had an absolute nightmare. I was struggling a bit, under pressure and was not 100 per cent sure of my decision when I named Stoke's new striker Dave Kitson as the unfortunate recipient.

"Dave Kitson, Dave Kitson! How do you make that out?" came the cry from behind me. I turned to see Mr Pulis and his escort, resplendent in suits, white shirts and bold red and white striped Stoke City ties, staring goggle-eyed at me with more than a hint of fury.

Alarm bells immediately strated ringing and I thought to myself, ''Careful here Botty lad, this is a VERY tricky one''.

I managed to talk my way out of a further slagging from either of them by prattling on about marks we give to the players - basicslly not letting them get a word in edgeways before Mr Pulis was ushered in to address my colleagues. I followed seconds later with my tail tucked quite firmly between my legs!

Just another colourful episode in the rich tapestry of life for your average travelling footie reporter!

There followed an angry altercation with a slightly drunk and thoroughly miserable Stoke fan on the station platform at Horwich Parkway just across from the ground to complete a lively old day for yours truly.

But it all made me think that Paddy Power's decision had done nothing to calm the troubled Stoke entourage's brows. It had in fact probably put a hell of a lot more furious furrows in them from what I could see.

I wish Stoke all the best for the rest of the season and, if they are ready to listen, a word or two of advice. Take a leaf out of the book read and adhered to by the Derby fans I bumped into last season. They knew what they were in for pretty much from the outset, but when I saw them on the way to and from Blackburn - and another beating - at the end of a horrible season, they had adopted the attitude that they were going to enjoy things come what may - and had been doing so for quite some time from what they told me.

So two fingers to Paddy Power, you Stoke boys and girls - and smile, smile, smile!