Non League Ante Post 2007/08

[Kop66]

Will Blue Square be doing a Handicap coupon for the Premier? Or do any other bookies do one at this level?

[Kop66]

I’m going to be backing in this league this coming season, it’s a good league, promotion to the Football League makes it a little bit special with clubs trying to get back in and clubs trying to make it for the first time in their history.

I’ve no bets on just yet, I’m just gathering thoughts.
I like some of Torquay’s signings and they’ve had some support over the past few days, Skybet 14/1 into 10/1, Bet365 9/1 into 8/1 and Premierbet 12/1 into 10/1.

Players in
Simon Rayner [Lincoln - Torquay] Free
Martin Rice [Exeter - Torquay] Free
Darren Mullings [Bristol Rovers - Torquay] Free
Tim Sills [Hereford - Torquay] Free
Tony Bedeau [Walsall - Torquay]
Chris Todd [Exeter - Torquay] £7,500
Lee Phillips [Exeter City - Torquay] £17,500
Kevin Nicholson [Forest Green - Torquay] Free
Chris Hargreaves [Oxford - Torquay] Free
Chris Robertson [Sheff Utd - Torquay] Free
Elliot Benyon [Bristol City - Torquay] Free
Paul Hinshelwood [Brighton - Torquay] Free

12 new players to date so it looks as if they got rid of the squad the sent them down last season. A decent strike force amongst new signings too. There’s no 14/1 anymore but 12/1 is still just available, I’ll give it another 2-3 weeks before picking out some possible Ante Post bets though.

I’d have to say Oxford for a top two finish also and at 6/1 i think those odds are still generous but I’m thinking of going in with a different market.

I’ve found a handicap coupon with the new league sponsors (it‘s going to take some adjusting to not calling this the Conference anymore).

Blue Square Betting - UK Football - Handicap
Blue Square Premier

Oxford United (Scratch) 18/1
Stevenage Borough (+1) 18/1
Exeter City (+6) 18/1
Torquay United (+9) 17/1
Burton Albion (+10) 18/1
York City (+10) 18/1
Rushden & Diamonds (+11) 18/1
Kidderminster Harriers (+12) 18/1
Cambridge United (+16) 18/1
Aldershot Town (+17) 18/1
Ebbsfleet United (+20) 18/1
Halifax Town (+20) 18/1
Grays Athletic (+22) 18/1
Weymouth (+22) 18/1
Woking (+23) 18/1
Histon (+23) 18/1
Droylsden (+26) 18/1
Northwich Victoria (+26) 18/1
Forest Green Rovers (+26) 18/1
Salisbury City (+27) 18/1
Crawley Town (+27) 18/1
Altrincham (+30) 18/1
Stafford Rangers (+31) 18/1
Farsley Celtic (+34)

Each-way bets on 4 places at 1/4 odds
18th of August 2007 3:00pm
English Blue Square Premier 2007-2008

I’m not sure why every team is 18/1 except Torquay who are 17/1 but I do think Forest Green Rovers could be the pick here for an each way bet.
With Danny C Bartram and S. Fleetwood up front for them I just know they are going to score goals this season, I know little of their defenders but if the team can be strong defensively then I believe they are in for a good season with those two upfront.
In Jimmy Harvey they have one of the better managers in the league, I can see them finishing top four on the handicap coupon with those 26pts.

I’d be interested in hearing thoughts on Crawley, I thought they may be in for a good season after recent troubles but their manager is a bit controversial isn’t he? They strike me as a team that could go well though and with a 27pt start I wont rule them out yet.

[Dinno26]

Agree Kop , Torquay look like they are giving it a real go to bounce straight back...completely new squad. Still a bit of 14's with Hills...can't see it lasting. I thought the best bet was Blue Square's group bet for Top South Western team @13/8. With Torquay plundering Phillips, Todd and Rice I would say they are certainly ahead of Exeter as we stand....others in the group were Weymouth (financially struggling) Forest Green (no chance with Carey Bertram and Fleetwood up front :wasntme ) and Salisbury (probably consolidating).

[kompressaur]

Great to hear from another man that knows his game Dinno. Thanks and welcome to TDP.

[Kop66]

(no chance with Carey Bertram and Fleetwood up front :wasntme )

I've been looking at the Season match bets and they have paired FGR with Northwich Vic', 5/6 the pair, i'm definately having some FGR there! (especially with DC Bertram and S Fleetwood upfont)

I have also noticed BS are doing a 'First ever team to score in the BSP market, FGR are rank outsiders @ 66/1, they are away to Oxford, with Oxford pressing i can see Fleetwood and Bertrams pace catching them out on the counter, i'm having a silly £2 on that

Seriously, I do think Torquay in any group bet etc and even outright are looking good value for the money though.

[Dinno26]

That match bet looks cracking value Kop, I'm already on Northwich for relegation after the mass exodus following Steve Burr's departure. Im not sure Redfearn is the man to attract a massive amount of quality to a club that appears in turmoil at the moment. Also noticed Vics have taken on Kevin Sharp as player/coach...was pretty brutal at left back for the Shrews a couple of seasons ago.

There were signs of a revival in the second half of last season at FGR under Harvey and joking aside he does seem to be recruiting well.

[Dinno26]

Re Crawley Kop, yes Evans is probably the most hated manager in football after effectively frauding his way out of the Conference with Boston by not paying taxes.

However his signings so far look good, Thompson from Halifax is excellent in midfield, and I really like Guy Madjo from Stafford.

Only problem is the club was on the verge of being extinct last season and it is always a worry that the financial difficulties will resurface.

[Kop66]

Cheers Dinno, I should of placed that match season bet before I mentioned it, FGR are now 8/11 and Northwich Vic’ are Evens that's the last time i do that this season. I’ve given it a miss in anger now

Crawley were a thorn in my side last season, you'd of thought i'd learn to stay away but i couldn't resist them at those odds.
There's no pts deductions for them to overcome this season, that must be a boost in itself. New management, a fresh start and i think they are capable of a decent size crowd, a good start and they might go close.

Why i added Stafford Rangers to my handicap coupon i do not know Fool

I said I’d wait a couple of weeks but I’ve placed all my Ante Post bets now, they are ..

BSP Outright
Oxford @ 11/2 to win (S.James)
Torquay @ 12/1 to win (Betdirect)
Crawley @ 50/1 E.W (Blue Sq)
Each-way bets on 4 places at 1/4 odds

BSP Handicap Coupon.
(All E.W. @ 18/1, )
Forest Green Rovers + 26pts
Crawley + 27pts
Stafford Rangers + 31pts
Each-way bets on 4 places at 1/4 odds

First ever BSP goal - FGR @ 66/1

That’s my lot for now, bring on the 11th August

[Frodo]

Before I read your little bit at the bottom Kop I thought FGR stuck out like a sore thumb on the handicaps so am pleased you think so too. Admittedly there's not too much thought gone into mine at the moment as due to the wonderous nature of BT Broadband I've not been online for a month.

My only concern would be if one side jumped out and raced away with the title as has been the case in the last 3 seasons that FGR would perhaps have to make the playoffs. I certainly wouldn't discount that at the moment mind. Add to the players you've mentioned Simon Clist who they signed from Barnet at the start of last season, he won most improved player (which I thought was ridiculous because he was already a top player) when we won the league.

[Kop66]

Add to the players you've mentioned Simon Clist who they signed from Barnet at the start of last season, he won most improved player (which I thought was ridiculous because he was already a top player) when we won the league.

I remember him now you've mentioned him Frodo, great player, good to see you like FGR chances on the Handicap too.

[kompressaur]

[kompressaur]

[Kop66]

Weymouth (+22) @ 18/1

I’ve liked what I’ve read about Weymouth.

Player Manager Jason Tindall helped steady the club when they could of easily gone into freefall and slipped out of the league last season, financial difficulties meant that the best paid players had to go and after a promising start they plummeted but then rallied and finished a respectable 11th. From what I’ve read Tindall has a fair bit of respect amongst his team mates and has support from new Weymuff owner Mel Bush (Tindalls father in law). Bush comes across as being a some one who will make the club work financially off the pitch.

Pre season for the ‘muff has seen nothing but positives imo, several players have re-signed new contracts and there’s a good mix of experience and youth in the team.
They have also signed 27 yr old Paolo Vernazza on a 12 month contract who played for Arsenal before making over 100 appearances for Watford and more recently at Dag and Red who he helped become champions with last season. I think he will settle in well down on the south coast and is a very good player at this level. Other signings have included two strikers, former Luton player Stuart Douglas and former league player Jefferson Louis.

Douglas scored two in a 3-0 win over league one Bournmouth last week and although nothing to much should be read into the game the fans seem to be impressed……

It was not just the score. Our defence looked solid and we always seemed capable of making openings. JT has a problem as who to pick for his 1st team. The Yeovil forward on trial looked quite good, Challis and Vickers commanding. Bernard v. good. S Douglas would be a good choice to start with

I know not much can be read into pre-season results, but you can judge the style of play and how they look as a team. Those players looked like they had been together for some time. We could also have found a Ben Smith replacement in Vernazza, especially how he played first half.

[Frodo]

Other NL odds -

Conf North - http://http://www.oddschecker.com/fo...rth/win-market

Conf South - http://www.oddschecker.com/football/...uth/win-market

Ryman - http://www.oddschecker.com/football/...ier/win-market

Southern - http://www.oddschecker.com/football/...gue/win-market

Unibond - http://www.oddschecker.com/football/...nibond-premier

Coral also have odds out for all those 5 leagues.

Also just wanted to back up the FGR Handicap shout with a stat. Below is a table showing how last years conference would've looked if the season had started on Jan 1.

Nationwide Football Conference	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
Morecambe	26	13	7	6	39	25	14	46
Exeter City	26	14	3	9	36	27	9	45
Dagenham & Redbridge	22	13	6	3	43	24	19	45
York City	24	11	7	6	36	19	17	40
Rushden & Diamonds	23	11	6	6	34	24	10	39
Stevenage Borough	22	10	5	7	34	28	6	35
Forest Green Rovers	21	9	7	5	31	26	5	34

I'm not sure I can go along with Weymouth though Kop. They ended last season very meekly, saved by the goals of Stuart Beavon. Barnet had Vernazza a few years ago and he can pass but he can't run also I'm not sure whether he really has the stomach for a fight as when we tried to contact him last summer he was always 'not available.' According to soccerbase Vernazza only made 4 starts for the Daggers last year too.

Jefferson Louis is also one the worst strikers I've ever seen. At Stevenage I once saw him blaze the ball out of the ground from inside the six yard box, which perhaps might've been forgiveable until you see the size of the stand. He hasn't been in the football league for years and has largely been a journeyman player in Conf South and Ryman without earth shattering success.

[Kop66]

Good links and info Frodo.

As said before, pre season games mean little if anything at all but you cant help but look for positives and negatives from them. FGR played Bristol City on Friday night and although Rovers were up for it I’m sure city would of used the game as nothing more than a warm up session.
From FGR official site..

Great performance
Rovers 4 Bristol City 1
Rovers turned on the style last night and gave Bristol City something to think about as they thrashed the Championship side 4-1 at the New Lawn.

Great passing from Rovers saw them expose the poor defence displayed by City and by half-time Rovers were 3-0 up thanks to goals by Danny Carey-Bertram, John Hardiker and Alex Lawless. City managed to reduce the scoreline with a goal from Scott Murray but the three goal lead was restored with fifteen minutes left with a goal by Stuart Fleetwood.

Forest Green: T. Burton; O. James, C. Giles, J. Hardiker, P. Stonehouse; A. Lawless, M. Brough, S. Clist, L. Dodgson; M. Beesley; D. Carey-Bertram; Subs: S. Armstrong, M. Preece, J. Pitman, J. Smith, L. Sheehan, A. Rigoglioso, S. Fleetwood.

Bristol City: S. Henderson; B. Wilson, J. Wilson, J. McCombe, L. Fontaine; I. Sproule, F. Artus, L. Johnson, J. Myrie-Williams; S. Murray, P. Jevons; Subs: A. Basso, T. Plummer, M. Slocombe, J. Walker, C. Ribeiro.


Blue Square Premier Top Goalscorer

I probably wouldn’t of backed in this market if I hadn’t had a decent weekend gambling elsewhere but the season can’t come soon enough and I’m starting to get impatient now

Tim Sills @ 28/1
Stuart Beavon @ 33/1
Stuart Fleetwood @ 50/1
Daniel Carey-Bertram @ 50/1
Tony Bedeau @ 66/1

5 x 2.00 wins @ Blue Square