What are the odds goal-line technology ISN'T in use in the Prem by 2014? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

By Derek McGovern in Betting Blog

Published 22:00 29/11/11

Alex Ferguson reckons goal-line technology is a good idea, presumably because anything on the goal-line for his Manchester United side is better than David De Gea.

Favourable comments from the FA last week saw bookies quote 4-6 about it being used in the Premier League next season - about 10 times more likely to be used than Fernando Torres.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis wants video usage to go even further than deciding on disputed goals – he wants to follow the tennis blueprint and allow managers to challenge refereeing decisions.

That’s a shock – at Stoke, Pulis usually follows the rugby blueprint.

He believes a manager should be allowed one challenge each half, which is currently what he gets from his defence.

Next, like tennis, he will be asking for a rest every couple of minutes, which is currently what he gets from his attack.

Football has been the greatest game in the world for a zillion years, so why the need to change?

Advocates say technology will reduce the level of injustice but what we need to do is increase it, especially if it leads to more dodgy goals for the away team at Old Trafford.

FIFA is still not convinced football needs it – and football is not convinced it needs FIFA – and despite Sepp Blatter being a buffoon, what FIFA says still goes.

Hills offer 7-2 video technology is still not being used in the Premier League by the time we reach 2014, a superb bet.

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Things have gone so pear-shaped for Manchester United since they unveiled the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand that they are now considering renaming it in honour of someone who has done just as much to make the club so successful.

Howard Webb.

Fergie has said he will field youngsters in Wednesday night’s Carling Cup tie against Crystal Palace, among them 18-year-old Ravel Morrison, who's been hailed a boy wonder largely because you wonder how he’s stayed out of the nick.

I have seen this kid in action and would bear witness to his talent, except if I did he might intimidate me.

It’s not clear what role Fergie has in mind for him against Palace – my bet is parole.

It was widely predicted last season that Morrison could be a Premier League superstar within five years – he said he knew a lawyer who could make it three.

Morrison is 5-2 with Hills to be booked against Palace, 20-1 to be sent off, and about 11-4 to be imprisoned.

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The I’m A Celebrity love affair between camp hunk Mark Wright and camp temptress Emily Scott could be even hotter than the TOWIE love affair between Mark Wright and Mark Wright.

Wright has been itching to make Emily another notch on his hammock since first clapping eyes on her.

The Aussie sheila, however, is unimpressed with his chat-up lines which are, at best, cheesy and, at worst, mine.

The only one that’s ever worked for me is, “Is a hundred enough?”

Judging by hugely favourable edits, ITV have big plans for Wright.

A dalliance will make Scott more marketable too, and that’s unusual for a Scott.

I would humbly suggest, therefore, that the 5-6 offered by Boylesports that the two announce a relationship is next door to a certainty.

And normally you have to live in Essex for that.

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BET OF THE DAY

Most of the time I don't have much fun.

The rest of the time I have no fun at all.

Get on PAOK Salonika AND the draw at 2-1 against Tottenham on Wednesday night.