I started this column in fine form with a run of decent priced winners. But the last few weeks has seen a shocking downturn which has left me questioning my tipping skills.

I had a similar feeling years ago playing cricket when it suddenly dawned on me I couldn’t bat – unfortunately while standing at the crease as some ball wielding maniac bore down on me.

Life has been full of similar disappointments since but I always thought with a bit of nous and research I could get one up on the bookies every now and then.

But take a look at last week. All the signs were there for a solid Bolton win in the cup semi final. So obviously Stoke stuffed five past them.

Perhaps I really am to tipping what Avram Grant is to football management.

Surely not. No-one else can be that bad.

I can still picture Avram now at the end of the season talking long after the lights have been turned out about improvement being just around the corner.

I expected nothing when he was appointed but he has exceeded my non-expectations.

But I bet he gets another job in football.  It seems in football, like most other industries, once you become a “manager” you magically move from company to company in a senior role no matter how incompetent you are.

I saw it throughout my media career at big publishers as some of the dullest non entities I’d ever met moved from role-to-role purely because they’d bullshitted their way to a certain level.

I’m sure it happens across construction and football is the highest profile example as any new vacancy is greeted with the same depressing list of woefully poor candidates.

But enough of the problems of corporate Britain. How are we going to turn around our rapidly dwindling bank balance?

The answer lies in a good old-fashioned long shot and Everton fit the bill at 13/2 to spring a surprise at Old Trafford.

Man Utd don’t give much away at home but they have got the Champions League semi-final next week and might just have their eye on a bigger prize than beating Everton.

David Moyes men are finishing the season well and are a decent price so wade in.

I’m rushing back from holiday on Saturday to watch West Ham’s no-doubt fruitless trip to Stamford Bridge.

The word is that Avram will be offered a role by Chelsea next season.

I might bung the coach driver a few quid extra to leave him behind early.

Running Total for all bets to a £10 stake: £ -58.00

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