England > BlueSQ Prem 2009-10 Antepost

[Shipsupstreets]

	Luton Town	365" onclick="a(0,383056628,10,3,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>10/3	7/2	10/3	11/4	10/3	10/3	3	10/3	7/2
	Oxford United	365" onclick="a(0,383056630,9,2,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>9/2	7/2	4	5	9/2	7/2	9/2	4	4
	Cambridge United	365" onclick="a(0,383056616,8,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>8	8	8	15/2	8	7	8	7	15/2
	Stevenage Borough	365" onclick="a(0,383056633,9,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>9	8	8	8	8	15/2	7	8	9
	Wrexham	365" onclick="a(0,383056635,11,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>11	10	12	12	10	10	10	10	11
	Mansfield Town	365" onclick="a(0,383056629,14,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>14	12	16	18	14	16	12	12	12
	Histon	365" onclick="a(0,383056625,20,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>20	18	14	18	16	16	20	18	18
	AFC Wimbledon	365" onclick="a(0,383056613,20,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>20	16	18	18	16	20	14	14	18
	Kidderminster Harriers	365" onclick="a(0,383056627,20,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>20	22	20	18	20	25	25	20	20
	Crawley Town	365" onclick="a(0,383056618,25,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>25	20	25	25	25	20	20	25	25
	Rushden & Diamonds	365" onclick="a(0,383056631,25,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>25	25	22	22	25	20	25	25	20
	Kettering Town	365" onclick="a(0,383056626,20,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>20	18	18	25	20	18	20	18	18
	Chester City	365" onclick="a(0,383056617,33,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>33	33	33		25	25	33	33	28
	York City	365" onclick="a(0,383056636,22,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>22	28	28	28	33	25	33	22	25
	Tamworth	365" onclick="a(0,383056634,33,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>33	33	40	40	33	40	40	33	40
	Eastbourne Borough	365" onclick="a(0,383056619,50,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>50	50	50	66	66	50	66	50
	Ebbsfleet United	365" onclick="a(0,383056620,33,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>33	40	66	50	66	50	50	33	50
	Forest Green Rovers	365" onclick="a(0,383056621,40,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>40	40	50	40	66	40	66	40	50
	Grays Athletic	365" onclick="a(0,383056623,66,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>66	66	50	66	33	66	66	66	66
	Barrow	365" onclick="a(0,383056615,66,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>66	66	66	66	66	50	66	66	66
	Altrincham Town	365" onclick="a(0,383056614,66,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>66	80	80	66	80	66	66	80	80
	Salisbury City	365" onclick="a(0,383056632,66,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>66	50	66	50	80	50	66	66	66
	Gateshead	365" onclick="a(0,383056622,100,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>100	80	80	100	66	50	100	50	80
	Hayes &Yeading	365" onclick="a(0,383056624,250,1,0,15); return false;" onmouseout=cellExit(this);>250	125	100	100	100	100	100	100	150
Place terms		3 1/4	4 1/4	3 1/4		3 1/4	3 1/4	3 1/4	3 1/4	3 1/4

[bartonbank]

Far too early to play as we cannot even be sure of the makeup of the league with Chester going into administration. However, 4's is plenty short enough for anyone in this league!

[Shipsupstreets]

Apologies for the look of the thread - I've no idea why Bet365's columns are starting to appear like this once again.

I'll refrain from comment just yet, but there is one price am itching to take - whether I do so or not will depend on my willpower after posting this. Still, I am reasonably heartened these prices. I can only see a small number of winners this time around - things are clearer cut than the previous couple of seasons in my view. That should mean some decent value, and particularly in the match-betting markets.

Elsewhere, the league line-ups won't be fixed for another fortnight, so I doubt if we'll see the North and South lists until then.

[kevshat]

Will be a bit of an eye opener for me next season. It'll mean the only thread which hasn't been my home during my time on PL is the Premier League one and it won't be for quite a few years . Ships, I still can't quite believe our clubs went up from League 1 together 4 years ago and could be 4 divisions apart next season .

Having said all that, whatever happens I'm looking forward to next season immensely. I have to say 4/1 is very short on us although the transfer targets we have are very positive along with the squad we already have. It's a short price yet come May we could be looking back at it as being a steal.

[Shipsupstreets]

Kevshat - it's an amazing turnaround in fortunes. You pipped us for the title in League 1 and had a better first season in the Championship just four seasons ago. And it's only about ten seasons since I was at Kenilworth Road for an FA Cup game when we were rock bottom of the fourth division, with winding up orders coming out of ours ears. It pays to keep the faith.

I think you have something of an advantage for a team coming down in that you've had a spell to prepare and you're coming into a division where there aren't a lot of clubs capable of mounting a sustained challenge.

Further down the pyramid, AFC Hornchurch of the Ryman Prem are heading into administration so will be starting the season -10.

[Belly77]

Luton are going to have 46 cup finals on their hands next season. It’s not going to be easy for them that’s for sure and I’ve got the feeling this might take the heat off Oxford who are building an excellent squad for this year. They’ve also got rid of some of their deadwood and will really have the bit between their teeth after the injustice they suffered with the point’s deduction last year, although I suppose the same could be said for Luton. Midson and Bulman are excellent signings for Oxford and if Rhode can stay fit he will offer them pace down the flanks. I expect a couple more to follow over the next couple of weeks. I just think Oxford’s experience at this level will shade it for them over Luton but I expect it will be close.

Stevenage need to hang on to Mark Roberts at the back and hope that injury prone players like Lee Boylan and David Bridges can keep themselves fit. At the moment I’m struggling to see past those three.

Mansfield might be the surprise package but I’m not to sure what is going to happen at Wrexham.

Wimbledon are staying part time and spending any excess money on upgrading their ground. I expect they will start well but tail off towards the end of the season, a bit like Kettering did this year.

As for Cambridge, everything is on hold after we wimped out of the play off final AGAIN . Brabin is in the running for the Blackpool job so we are waiting to see what happens there, the board have rightly said they won’t stand in his way if Blackpool gamble on him. Whether he stays or go it’s expected that Hatswell will retire, Bolland will go back up north, Rendell will rot at Peterborough until they take the £150 000 price tag off his head. Hopefully Pitt will go as he’s been a waste of space this and last season along with Challinor, Mcmahon and Parkinson all of whom have been a big disappointment. Chris Holyrod is also rumoured to be homesick and Tonkin may try and find a league 2 club. Losing Holyrod, Tonkin, Hatswell, Rendell and Bolland will be a blow but hopefully we can retain Phillips and add a couple of younger legs to freshen things up. We are cutting our playing budget by a 30% but I’m sure that will be inline with most clubs down here. Think we will be around the play off area scrapping it out with the likes of Wrexham, Stevenage and Mansfield for the remaining play off spots.

[Shipsupstreets]

Excellent analysis, Belly, and I can't fault you on the main contenders - that's exactly how I see it, and I would add Stevenage into that mix, though that's more for sentimental reasons, because I've been getting them wrong for years and I don't see why next season should be any different.

There are sure to be sides who will face some thorny financial decisions come November, and I would expect the better-run sides to generally do better. Can't wait for those match-bet prices.

[Belly77]

My only concern with Stevenage is that they will miss Morison's goals. Byrom is a good signing but I have slight doubts over Charlie Griffin. Don't think he will carry the same threat as Morison.

Thanks for your kind words on the play off final thread Ships, once again we bottled it at Wembley.

I'm very curious about what price you are itching to take.

[Shipsupstreets]

We should hear soon the final shape of Steps 2, 3 and 4 leagues. There are big question marks over a number of clubs, not least of which is Merthyr Tydfil, who performed admirably in the Southern League despite terrible off-the-field problems. There is a plan from their not-exactly-popular owner to move them across the border to an unnamed town in England - a sort of MK Merthyr. That's the thing about football: every time you think you've heard the most scandalous and inappropriate action from someone in a position of power, along comes something like this. Take a bow, Wyn Holloway.

[kevshat]

Originally Posted by Shipsupstreets

Kevshat - it's an amazing turnaround in fortunes. You pipped us for the title in League 1 and had a better first season in the Championship just four seasons ago. And it's only about ten seasons since I was at Kenilworth Road for an FA Cup game when we were rock bottom of the fourth division, with winding up orders coming out of ours ears. It pays to keep the faith.

It's sick really when you look back at what has happened to us since we went into the Championship. Still they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and now we've hit rock bottom at least we can start the long climb back up. I'm very positive about the future.

Belly, 46 cup finals for certain mate. A lot of local derbies too which could make it tough as well. The cup finals don't bother me too much, every league game last season was a cup final and a must win one at that. Our squad which is pretty young have had all that pressure and coped well with it so I don't expect the cup final aspect to have too much effect on them now they are playing with the shackles off.

I see Blue Square's 4/1 never lasted long. Only Skybet go 4s now. Maybe that's something to do with Andy Burgess and Mark Tyler being close to signing or because we are the name in the division. Whatever it is, I'm not tempted at that price in what will be a tricky season for us but I'm confident we have the tools to win this division and as ships said we've had a bit of preparation time too which will hopefully help us hit the ground running.

Look forward to meeting my fellow BSP PLer's for a beer or two at away games .

[Belly77]

If you do sign Tyler that will guarantee you two clean sheets against us next season, he always had a blinder back in our old derby games against the Posh.
What you'll find this year Kev is teams like Altrincham and Barrow coming and literally parking the team bus infront of the goal, can get very frustrating, espically when they score with their only shot on goal like FGR did to us this season. Don't even get me started on that standard of the referee's, you'll be pulling your hair out mate trust me. Don't expect many away fans either. Burton and Stevenage couldn't even sell their 1500 allocation for the play off semi's. Soem games you'll think are woeful and other games you'll be thinking your back in the league. It's the atmosphere that I miss though, 40 odd away fans just doesn't generate the same matchday expereince. We'll be different when you play the likes of us and Oxford though.

[bartonbank]

Originally Posted by Shipsupstreets

We should hear soon the final shape of Steps 2, 3 and 4 leagues. There are big question marks over a number of clubs, not least of which is Merthyr Tydfil, who performed admirably in the Southern League despite terrible off-the-field problems. There is a plan from their not-exactly-popular owner to move them across the border to an unnamed town in England - a sort of MK Merthyr. That's the thing about football: every time you think you've heard the most scandalous and inappropriate action from someone in a position of power, along comes something like this. Take a bow, Wyn Holloway.

Pretty certain that the person who is behind this is a certain tit called Mike Harris, owner of The New Saints (TNS). He has always been looking for a way into the English pyramid system and was even sniffing around us for a while.
It might also explain why he is building a 3000 seater stand at a club that usually only attracts 200 or so fans.

[bartonbank]

Originally Posted by Belly77

What you'll find this year Kev is teams like Altrincham and Barrow coming and literally parking the team bus infront of the goal, can get very frustrating, espically when they score with their only shot on goal like FGR did to us this season. Don't even get me started on that standard of the referee's, you'll be pulling your hair out mate trust me. Don't expect many away fans either. Burton and Stevenage couldn't even sell their 1500 allocation for the play off semi's. Soem games you'll think are woeful and other games you'll be thinking your back in the league. It's the atmosphere that I miss though, 40 odd away fans just doesn't generate the same matchday expereince. We'll be different when you play the likes of us and Oxford though.

Amen to all of that, belly.

You just will NOT believe the standard of referees......and the linesmen, who are frightened to make any sort of decision. I recall Kev listing the usual offenders as far as officials in L2 were concerned, Deadman, Singh, etc....they would shine out as beacons of excellence in BSP.
The absence of away fans is weird but the upside is, when you go to theirs, they actually want to talk football in the bar rather than kick the crap out of you (I say that with the exception of Barrow, whose fans deserve nuking).
Other pluses are there are some nice grounds and new pubs to visit, but on the other side of the coin don't plan your season as Setanta will change game times at a whim.

Oh....and did I mention how crap the referees and linesmen are?

[kevshat]

Originally Posted by Belly77

If you do sign Tyler that will guarantee you two clean sheets against us next season, he always had a blinder back in our old derby games against the Posh.
What you'll find this year Kev is teams like Altrincham and Barrow coming and literally parking the team bus infront of the goal, can get very frustrating, espically when they score with their only shot on goal like FGR did to us this season. Don't even get me started on that standard of the referee's, you'll be pulling your hair out mate trust me. Don't expect many away fans either. Burton and Stevenage couldn't even sell their 1500 allocation for the play off semi's. Soem games you'll think are woeful and other games you'll be thinking your back in the league. It's the atmosphere that I miss though, 40 odd away fans just doesn't generate the same matchday expereince. We'll be different when you play the likes of us and Oxford though.

He always has a blinder against us as well mate. That might be why we're signing him . It's teams parking the bus which makes me cautious about the season tbh. We've just come from a league where everyone did that and we couldn't break them down. We've got the quality up top to stick the ball in the onion bag - Craddock and Gallen would have to go down as one of the stronger strike forces I'd imagine? but the problem we had last season was there wasn't much width to get in behind. If Burgess signs he'll change that a bit. We played Altrincham in the cup last year and that gave us a taste of what to expect I guess.

I'm looking forward to the new season but I can't say I'm looking forward to these referees .

[uksubs77]

Hi all,

Just a quick update on the chaos that still abounds at Chester City who are currently 33/1 for the title and going from the sublime to the ridiculus. Can't say that I'll be touching them with a barge pole even at that price with the club currently in admin' and not yet fully inducted into the BSP. Apparently this will happen at the leagues AGM on June 13th.
There's rumour that the current chairman is asking for £1million for the sale and that there are 3 intested consortiums bidding for the club, although I dont think that any of them are prepared to go near that extortionate price.
Another scenario that's being muted in the local press is that Vaughan, (the current chairman and major shareholder) could actually buy back the club from the administrators.......as ridiculous as it sounds. Its all smoke & mirrors at the moment and a bit strange as he's currently the major shareholder at Chester City Football Club Limited (currently in administration) but is also a shareholder in Chester City Football Club 2004, which from what I've been told is registered as a totally different company at Companies House.

Mark Wright is making all the right noises about signing a 20-man squad to take us back up but in reality, he hasn't got the faintest idea as to what is going on and even if he'll be at the club come the start of the season. If he does remain in the hotseat, then I wouldn't be surprised to see a few of the players from the Conference Championship side of 2003-2004 return to Cheshire, (Bolland from Cambridge United being the latest rumour). Though that's all a long way off.

With the expected 10 point deduction for entering into administration to be taken into account, it has got to be a watching brief to see what develops over the next few weeks between the club, the potential buyers and the BSP Executive before committing to any season long bets on the Blues.

[FleetFanatic]

Originally Posted by bartonbank

Amen to all of that, belly.

You just will NOT believe the standard of referees......and the linesmen, who are frightened to make any sort of decision. I recall Kev listing the usual offenders as far as officials in L2 were concerned, Deadman, Singh, etc....they would shine out as beacons of excellence in BSP.

Deadman & Singh were both promoted out of the conference a few years back.
Singh was always one of the better refs.....

.....but Deadman is a prize cnut.

[FleetFanatic]

Incidently, at this stage, my money would, in fact, be on Wrexham, but in reality it's all far too early until we see what squads are signed & who's in admin etc!

Just wish Ebbsfleet would make the play-offs.

As for Luton, they're in for a shock, even without the penalty of -30, they would have still only finished 15th - there isn't that big a gap between conference & league 2 these days. Play-offs at best for them, I suspect.

[bartonbank]

Originally Posted by FleetFanatic

Incidently, at this stage, my money would, in fact, be on Wrexham, but in reality it's all far too early until we see what squads are signed & who's in admin etc!

Just wish Ebbsfleet would make the play-offs.

As for Luton, they're in for a shock, even without the penalty of -30, they would have still only finished 15th - there isn't that big a gap between conference & league 2 these days. Play-offs at best for them, I suspect.

Why on us? Mangan has turned us down for Oxford and Lowe for the league...we don't know who we are signing or who is actually leaving us. Our only keeper is a 20 year old and Saunders is hanging on to see if Matt Jansen wants to play and stay.
I wouldn't touch us at the moment but would prefer Oxford, especially if they get an experienced defender in.

[kevshat]

Originally Posted by FleetFanatic

As for Luton, they're in for a shock, even without the penalty of -30, they would have still only finished 15th - there isn't that big a gap between conference & league 2 these days. Play-offs at best for them, I suspect.

Hopefully that misconception is the view of the other 23 BSP teams because it's massively wrong. I keep on hearing it from fans of other clubs because it's the easy thing to do and just add 30pts to our total. The lazy thing if you like but I personally think you can stick 15-20pts on top of that total of 56pts because I think that's the minimum that we lost by having to set up with stupid formations having to win every game we played. Of course we'll never know for sure but I believe in a normal season we would've picked up a lot more points than we did purely because of the pressure of each match. Just 15 more points would've seen us in the playoffs without the deduction.

Instead I prefer to look at games where there was no pressure on us - notably the cups. We beat a Championship side, 4 League one sides and the League 2 champions with no league pressures on us in the cup last season and as was seen at Wembley, we played terrific football with it. Now I'm clever enough to know that a lot of that was because we were underdogs but the way we beat those sides spoke volumes, and it's why I think we'll be fine next season. Whether we are good enough to go up next season remains to be seen but I am very confident it will take a pretty good side to stop us.

[nastro 1888]

Originally Posted by kevshat

but I personally think you can stick 15-20pts on top of that total of 56pts because I think that's the minimum that we lost by having to set up with stupid formations having to win every game we played.

spot on, you cant just use basic arithmetic to suggest where luton could or might have been.

like the oxford call here, naked eye looking in but I'll have a look into this soon.