LINK Video of what really happened inside Fortnum and Mason on saturday afternoon.
149 people told that they had behaved in a "non violent" and "sensible" way and that they would be able to leave the building freely, this was relayed by a chief inspector of police, not a constable. Outside all 149 were then kettled, handcuffed , taken into custody and all have since been charged.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
UPDATE .......
I might put up the odd snippet of news over the next week or so, but will not be posting any match reviews on the blog until next midweek.
Several readers have been with me since day one and have shown as much dogged tenacity as I have, so thank you for that.
As a reward ( or punishment), if any of you want to receive free copies of all my notes this weekend, just send an email to me at stencelwade@btinternet before 10.00 UK time on Friday, it will not be possible to include anyone after this time. You will receive emails on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, probably 5-6 in total and get a brief schedule of when to expect these when the first is delivered.
However, the blog will be five years old on Friday, that's at least 3,649 posts, some 800,000 views in the last three and a half years alone and well over one million words of copy, the equivalent to some 11-13 novels. I did not want to let that pass without comment, as this must be the most long standing sports betting blog on the internet, with most having a shelf life of just a few weeks and I am proud of that fact.
Several readers have been with me since day one and have shown as much dogged tenacity as I have, so thank you for that.
As a reward ( or punishment), if any of you want to receive free copies of all my notes this weekend, just send an email to me at stencelwade@btinternet before 10.00 UK time on Friday, it will not be possible to include anyone after this time. You will receive emails on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, probably 5-6 in total and get a brief schedule of when to expect these when the first is delivered.
Otherwise, please check back next week and good luck in the meantime.
TUESDAY ....
BLUE SQUARE SOUTH
BOREHAM WOOD - FARNBOROUGH
I was inpressed by what I saw of Farnborough at Maidenhead last week, they are playing with a massive amount of confidence, have competition for starting places, could hardly be in better shape and are closing in on a flagging Braintree, the title, and more importantly, the sole automatic promotion spot.
They will move to within a point of the league leaders, who were 11 points clear a month ago, with a win tonight and are in bullish mood, with key player Dale Binns stating after their latest win, a 2-0 defeat of Weston Super Mare, "we have a great sense of belief in the squad since our game against Woking and truly believe we can win every game." He added "with the players we have at this club you cannot afford to have a bad game if you want to start next week. It makes me play that little bit better."
They played that WSM match with ten men for over half an hour and still did not allow their opponent an attempt on goal worthy of the name, it was a quality, hard working performance. Hungry boss Steve King, who was poorly treated at Lewes and who knows how to get out of this division, did not conduct any post match interviews as he let immediately after the game to go and watch a future opponent who were playing later in the day, that epitomises the work ethic of this group.
Hosts have been pretty dour, at least recently and seem happy to keep things very tight, certainly until they fall behind, which will definitely hand the initiative to the visitors who are desperate for not just the points, but also a little revenge with BW the last team to defeat Boro in the league, King has a "thing" about teams doing the double over his side's and will have the troops fired up for this and looking for another early goal ( they have scored four inside eight minutes in their last three starts) to force the hosts out of their game plan.
Farnborough -0.75 2.06 .... written Monday evening.
Good Luck.
Monday, March 28, 2011
PROTEST UPDATE ....
I know that this is a sports betting blog essentially, but it is my blog and having posted my views on the events of saturday, I want to update the situation. My daughter was released after 22 hours in custody and bailed to appear in court on May 11. She spent the night in a police cell and had personal items of clothing including her shoes, confiscated as "evidence". Along with a hundred or so others she was peacefully protesting in Fortnum and Mason, openly talking to and even joking with staff and police alike. A senior female police officer thanked them for their behaviour but asked them to leave the store and promised that if they did so, they would not be detained or questioned. This they did and were all arrested ! Here is a story from today's Independent, written by a reporter who was in the store LINK . Please take two minutes to read it, as it gives a truthful report on events . I have also heard that there is video evidence of the senior officer making this "promise" and know that what happened outside was covered extensively on the BBC. Good Luck.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
BACK TO SPORT .....
OXFORD UNITED - BURTON ALBION
Hosts will be going all out for the three points in a match which coach Chris Wilder has termed a "must win" fixture, however, United do not like to do things the easy way, are "over" in their last five starts and are six without a clean sheet.
We have talked previousy about the far more open style they play now and that is clear from recent results, infact, since Novenber 23rd they have played 21 games, 16 have been produced three or more goals and an incredible 12 of them have ended in a 2-1 scoreline. Albion have gone "over" in 10 of their last 13 road starts and they have managed just one clean sheet in nine, that coming in a 0-0 draw with basement club Stockport, they have also scored themselves in seven of the other eight. They are short of defensive options today and will be a little battered and bruised after meeting the physical Stevenage in midweek.
Wilder watched that match personally and whilst he admitted that Albion are in a false position in the league, he was pleased that his side finally had a free midweek programme to regroup and recharge their batteries and did not face the demands of meeting Boro. I think that Oxford will win, but am much keener on the "over" option and also suggest a minimal fun bet on that 2-1 scoreline coming up once again.
"over" 2.5 goals 2.13
Good Luck.
AN AFTERNOON IN LONDON ............
Up to 500,000 people took part in the Anti-Cuts march in London yesterday, the biggest public demonstration in England for a decade.
We are free to protest in this country, or so I have always believed.
There were "only"201 arrests, but they are of some concern to me, as they include my daughter who is 19 years old, barely 1.62m and who is the most laid back, easy going character you are ever likely to meet, completely unlike her father !
Of course I am biased, but she has never had an evil thought in her life, let alone committed a bad deed and was peacefully protesting in Fortnum and Mason, as were a hundred or so others, when they were rounded up and arrested, most probably for actions which took place outside the building, late yesterday afternoon.
17 hours later she in still in custody and I just hope that she and her friends are not going to get "shafted" as the easier targets for arrest. Do you really think that any real "mob of raging activists" as I have just seen them described in the more right wing UK media, would simply occupy and wander around a building in full view of CCTV cameras for over two hours, it is plainly ridiculous. Similar, lower profile occupations have been going on all week at Deptford Town Hall without trouble.
I hope they release all the students ,who are just finding their political feet, without charge and try to find the real trouble makers. As nothing happened yesterday further than two feet from a camera, it should not prove too difficult.
WHAT A WEEK ! Part One
Bit of a rush betting wise in the last seven days, I was within one goal ( it should have come) of a clean sweep 7 from 7 selections last Saturday, had a 12-1 winner on the USPGA Tour on Sunday and have won with six of my eight selections since then, including Stevenage yesterday. I am looking for a repeat on the golf today with another huge priced pick and have two solid football selections to go along with that. One of which I will post on here shortly. Good Luck.
Friday, March 25, 2011
SATURDAY ....
LEAGUE 2
MACCLESFIELD - STEVENAGE BOROUGH
A midweek win for Macclesfield has all but ensured their safey for another season and I doubt they will be able to match the intensity or motivation of their opponent this afternoon. Hosts have already lost 8 home starts this season and conceded 28 goals, the most of any team outside the drop zone. Boro are looking for a ninth road victory and for a 5th straight win in a row, that sequence of results has taken them into the playoff zone and they are not about to let up now. They are not an easy team on the eye, or to like, but are physically imposing, well drilled, fit, organised and believe 100% in coach Graham Westley, for whom they would run head first through a brick wall if he asked !
They play at a very high tempo that others struggle with and once taking the lead, will resort to any tactics to delay the game and stop their opponent from building momentum. Latest of these is the "drinks break"when one of their players is "injured" usually using up some four minutes of play, their fans even sing a song about it ! Very frustrating to watch, but extremely effective, it is shame, because they look quite good when they do decide to play. Westley added to his squad yesterday with a very promising young non league keeper and the coach is very confident about his players, stating that his team "are getting stronger with every game". Field have injury problems and their squad is down to the bare bones, meeting a team like Boro under the circumstances is the last thing they need and it could be a long afternoon for the Silkmen.
Stevenage -0.25 1.96 Sbobet .
Good Luck.
MACCLESFIELD - STEVENAGE BOROUGH
A midweek win for Macclesfield has all but ensured their safey for another season and I doubt they will be able to match the intensity or motivation of their opponent this afternoon. Hosts have already lost 8 home starts this season and conceded 28 goals, the most of any team outside the drop zone. Boro are looking for a ninth road victory and for a 5th straight win in a row, that sequence of results has taken them into the playoff zone and they are not about to let up now. They are not an easy team on the eye, or to like, but are physically imposing, well drilled, fit, organised and believe 100% in coach Graham Westley, for whom they would run head first through a brick wall if he asked !
They play at a very high tempo that others struggle with and once taking the lead, will resort to any tactics to delay the game and stop their opponent from building momentum. Latest of these is the "drinks break"when one of their players is "injured" usually using up some four minutes of play, their fans even sing a song about it ! Very frustrating to watch, but extremely effective, it is shame, because they look quite good when they do decide to play. Westley added to his squad yesterday with a very promising young non league keeper and the coach is very confident about his players, stating that his team "are getting stronger with every game". Field have injury problems and their squad is down to the bare bones, meeting a team like Boro under the circumstances is the last thing they need and it could be a long afternoon for the Silkmen.
Stevenage -0.25 1.96 Sbobet .
Good Luck.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
SATURDAY ....
PRESTON NORTH END - COVENTRY CITY
Hosts have given themselves a very slender lifeline with their emphatic 3-0 win at Scunthorpe in midweek and will be all out for three points today to try and drag another side into the relegation shake up. I was keen to oppose City earlier in the season when they where hanging around close to the playoffs, as they were clearly not that good, however, they are also not as bad as one win in 17 starts might suggest and now that they have ditched coach Aidy Boothroyd and his negative tactics which were dragging the whole club down, I would not be in such a rush to oppose them. Caretaker boss Andy Thorn immediately swiched to 4-3-3 at Burnley in midweek and they pretty much dominated the game, created a host of chances and were desperately unlucky to only earn a share of the points in a 2-2 draw. Hard to see them changing much this afternoon and I expect these two clubs to go toe to toe for 90 minutes. Consecutive clean sheets seem unlikely for North End and if City have half the attempts on goal they managed in midweek, they are likely to snatch at least a couple and I will split my stakes on the"over" bet and City to do just that.
"over" 2.5 goals 1.95
Coventry to score over 1.5 goals 2.625 Bet 365/ Corals etc.
Good Luck.
Hosts have given themselves a very slender lifeline with their emphatic 3-0 win at Scunthorpe in midweek and will be all out for three points today to try and drag another side into the relegation shake up. I was keen to oppose City earlier in the season when they where hanging around close to the playoffs, as they were clearly not that good, however, they are also not as bad as one win in 17 starts might suggest and now that they have ditched coach Aidy Boothroyd and his negative tactics which were dragging the whole club down, I would not be in such a rush to oppose them. Caretaker boss Andy Thorn immediately swiched to 4-3-3 at Burnley in midweek and they pretty much dominated the game, created a host of chances and were desperately unlucky to only earn a share of the points in a 2-2 draw. Hard to see them changing much this afternoon and I expect these two clubs to go toe to toe for 90 minutes. Consecutive clean sheets seem unlikely for North End and if City have half the attempts on goal they managed in midweek, they are likely to snatch at least a couple and I will split my stakes on the"over" bet and City to do just that.
"over" 2.5 goals 1.95
Coventry to score over 1.5 goals 2.625 Bet 365/ Corals etc.
Good Luck.
Friday, March 18, 2011
FRIDAY .....LUCIEN LIGHTS UP GLADBACH'S DISMAL SEASON......
BUNDESLIGA
BORUSSIA MGB- KAISERSLAUTERN
Hosts are making a real fist of survival with 10 points from ther last 7 outings which is a mighty haul compared to the 13 they collected from their opening 19 starts. However, the real improvement has come since new boss Lucien Favre took charge on Valentines Day and the BMG fans should be in love with what he has achieved so far. The team were without a home win at the time, but have beaten both Schalke (2-1) and Hoffenheim ( 2-0) since, collected a fine point at Bremen with a last minute equaliser and lost by the odd goal in three at Wolfsburg, when again they had chances to salvage something at the death.
Master tactician Favre has tighten them up at the back, he had to make that a priority with 57 goals conceded before he joined, he knows that three points tonight will give his team a real lifeline and with a trip to Bayern next week, they are absolutely vital. Favre is very hungry to succeed, he was Bundesliga coach of the year in 2008-09 with Hertha and was shown little loyalty by the club, when severe budgetry restraints led to a poor start the following season and he was sacked. He is very tactically astute and has got BMG following and more importantly believing in the game plan already, he is also quite good with the mind games and has already been trying to talk Kaiserslautern out of their predicted defensive set up tonight and with the away coach taking the "bait", he looks to be ahead before the teams take to the pitch.
His team have been finishing matches strongly and I expect them to find a winner tonight although it might take a while. Odds are XXXXXXXXX XXXXX the rest of the preview is censored
BMG -0.5 2.28 + ... 2.32 exchanges .
Good Luck.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
WEDNESDAY .......
Peterborough won comfortably enough last night and hopefully some of you got on . I will not be posting anything on the blog today, I have just one double stake selection at odds of circa 4.0 but it involves a team I want to follow in the coming weeks, so it would be foolhardy to post details here. However, pretty sure that there will be another preview later in the week, so please check back.
I can take this opportunity to explain a couple of things which I am asked on a regular basis , the Feedburner email delivery service on the left hand side of this page, is a third party service delivered once per day at around 13.00 UK time. It doesn't come from me, Feedburner simply pick up anything that has been posted and pass it on, if I post something after 13.00 you will not receive it until the following day, usually after the matches have been played.
The blog content is only a fraction of my output, just a "taster" if you like, so will always be more subject to variance. Should you wish to write to me about anything you can do so on stencelwade@btinternet.com and I will do my best to answer, but I can never discuss matches I have not already previewed.
Good Luck.
I can take this opportunity to explain a couple of things which I am asked on a regular basis , the Feedburner email delivery service on the left hand side of this page, is a third party service delivered once per day at around 13.00 UK time. It doesn't come from me, Feedburner simply pick up anything that has been posted and pass it on, if I post something after 13.00 you will not receive it until the following day, usually after the matches have been played.
The blog content is only a fraction of my output, just a "taster" if you like, so will always be more subject to variance. Should you wish to write to me about anything you can do so on stencelwade@btinternet.com and I will do my best to answer, but I can never discuss matches I have not already previewed.
Good Luck.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
TUESDAY .... NOT TOO POSH TO PUSH FOR AUTOMATIC PROMOTION SPOT ....
DIVISION 1
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY - PETERBOROUGH UNITED
We backed Peterborough at Yeovil exactly four weeks ago, my notes are reproduced below, they won that 2-0 and are unbeaten in seven since then, winning six, including the last four with a 15-0 goal difference ! That sequence also included a 5-0 road win at Oldham and 6-0 defeat of Carlisle at the weekend, so my words that they are going to thrash someone soon and that sooner or later they will get things right at the back, have been proved correct. Obviously, confidence levels are through the roof at London Road and a win tonight, could easily take them into an automatic playoff spot, with second placed Huddersfield facing a tricky trip to Griffin Park, home of my beloved Brentford. Posh actually missed two penalties at the weekend, so let Carlisle off the hook ( !), they had 20 solid attempts on goal and kept things very tight at the back. They travel to Wednesday, who are still struggling under "new" boss Gary Megson, who seems to be running out of ideas and his post match interview where he stated... "We changed the formation , we put two up front which people have been advising me to do and that's the way forward ", hardly inspires confidence, why is taking advice from others after just a few weeks in charge ?The visitors put five past Wednesday at the beginning of last month in an eight goal thriller and are a different side defensively since then. Hosts have not won at Hillsborough in five, or beaten a top half team there since August ( !), hard to see that changing this evening.
Peterborough level ball 1.90 +.
YEOVIL TOWN - PETERBOROUGH UNITED 15/2/2011
Yeovil had been overperforming for several games, including committing highway robbery and getting away with three points at Griffin Park after being outplayed for 90 minutes, they have lost two since the bubble burst and will be without their top scorer again tonight, which will be a big loss against a side who concede as many chances as Posh. The visitors are playing incredibly well box to box, they dominated Charlton at the weekend, should have won by three, lost 3-2, they cannot keep a clean sheet, but are some day soon going to thrash someone. Darren Ferguson has raised the performance and expectation levels at London Road and he has a few more defensive options tonight, he is calling this the most important game since his return and firmly targeting three points. His side have scored 16 in their last five starts and sooner or later they will get things right at the back, Town like to keep things tight here, which is tactic that should suit Posh, who will be able to make the running, I feel they will win and possibly with a degree of comfort.
Peterborough United -0.5 2.40 general quote ... 2.50 in places.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY - PETERBOROUGH UNITED
We backed Peterborough at Yeovil exactly four weeks ago, my notes are reproduced below, they won that 2-0 and are unbeaten in seven since then, winning six, including the last four with a 15-0 goal difference ! That sequence also included a 5-0 road win at Oldham and 6-0 defeat of Carlisle at the weekend, so my words that they are going to thrash someone soon and that sooner or later they will get things right at the back, have been proved correct. Obviously, confidence levels are through the roof at London Road and a win tonight, could easily take them into an automatic playoff spot, with second placed Huddersfield facing a tricky trip to Griffin Park, home of my beloved Brentford. Posh actually missed two penalties at the weekend, so let Carlisle off the hook ( !), they had 20 solid attempts on goal and kept things very tight at the back. They travel to Wednesday, who are still struggling under "new" boss Gary Megson, who seems to be running out of ideas and his post match interview where he stated... "We changed the formation , we put two up front which people have been advising me to do and that's the way forward ", hardly inspires confidence, why is taking advice from others after just a few weeks in charge ?The visitors put five past Wednesday at the beginning of last month in an eight goal thriller and are a different side defensively since then. Hosts have not won at Hillsborough in five, or beaten a top half team there since August ( !), hard to see that changing this evening.
Peterborough level ball 1.90 +.
YEOVIL TOWN - PETERBOROUGH UNITED 15/2/2011
Yeovil had been overperforming for several games, including committing highway robbery and getting away with three points at Griffin Park after being outplayed for 90 minutes, they have lost two since the bubble burst and will be without their top scorer again tonight, which will be a big loss against a side who concede as many chances as Posh. The visitors are playing incredibly well box to box, they dominated Charlton at the weekend, should have won by three, lost 3-2, they cannot keep a clean sheet, but are some day soon going to thrash someone. Darren Ferguson has raised the performance and expectation levels at London Road and he has a few more defensive options tonight, he is calling this the most important game since his return and firmly targeting three points. His side have scored 16 in their last five starts and sooner or later they will get things right at the back, Town like to keep things tight here, which is tactic that should suit Posh, who will be able to make the running, I feel they will win and possibly with a degree of comfort.
Peterborough United -0.5 2.40 general quote ... 2.50 in places.
Good Luck.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
TUESDAY ....
These are my basic pre match notes for the three games I am covering live this evening, they are incomplete without my half time notes/updates/ selections of course, but you might find them of some interest.......
CHAMPIONSHIP
IPSWICH TOWN - READING
This shoud be quite entertaining and I do not expect either to settle for a point. Town have drawn fewer home starts than any team in the Championship in any case and with a midtable finish seemingly assured, have no reason to be cautious. Reading are unbeaten in six and are playing at a very high level at present, they do have a FA Cup quarter final with Manchester City this weekend, but just six points off the playoffs, will surely give their all for the win this evening. They have scored more goals in the last five minutes of games ( 11 in total) than any other side in the division and are unbeaten in all 16 matches that Mikele Leigertwood has started, I have told you before how very important he has been to the Royals. Bit of a mini crisis for Town with several players facing late tests, team news vital here. Reading have collected points in 7 of the 11 games in which they have trailed at the half.
Confirmed team news: Kebe and Tabb out for Royals, Howard and Karacan in, a very adventurous 4-3-3 formation, at least thats what it looks like.
Town : Fulop, Edwards, McAuley, Delaney, O'Dea, Drury, Norris, Leadbitter, Martin, Scotland, Wickham..... no Bullard !
SWANSEA - WATFORD
Swansea will stay in second place with a win tonight regardless of what happens elsewhere which is a big incentive and will be looking to bounce back after a 1-0 loss at Scunthorpe on saturday. Despite the loss, they played well at Glanford Park on a pudding of a pitch, which did not suit their silky ball passing style of football, enjoying 61% possession and winning the attempts on goal count 18-9, coach Brendan Rodgers pronounced himself "pleased" with the performance afterwards and you will not hear that too often following a defeat. Watford now looked booked for a midtable finish despite ending a poor run with a 1-0 win over Millwall at the weekend, the Lions having had several clear chances to take the lead, the Hornets can beat anyone on a going day, but their lack of depth has caught up with what is a talented, but young and inexperienced squad. Key stat, visitors have won only 3 of the 12 games (25%) in which they have gone in level at the break, Swans 7 of 14 (50%).
Confirmed team news : John Eustace returns from suspension for Watford. Swansea: Dobbie in for Britton, Moore replaces Beattie, the same starting eleven who walloped Leeds here 3-0 recently.
DIVISION 1
BRENTFORD - BRIGHTON
No real history between these two clubs, but there is a little ill feeling between the two owners, who are probably the two biggest gamblers/syndicate owners in europe, not that that makes any difference, as neither is likely to play !
Brentford had a long and fruitless journey up to the North East at the weekend and performed poorly in a 3-0 loss to Hartlepool. That has left the Bees firmly in midtable and their Wembley final next month aside, we can only expect them to really get "up" for the bigger league fixtures and a visit from the league leaders, with a large travelling support under the floodlights at Griffin Park, which is always special, certainly falls into that category. Bees have already seen off Championship Hull City and EPL side Everton here this season and new boss Nicky Forster will want to recover quickly from his first loss in charge and claim another scalp, the game has extra meaning for Forster who returned to the Bees after three years with the south coast side last year and knows many of the visiting team well.
Brighton are also top of the second half table with an impressive 16-12-4 record, first goal might be crucial, Bees are 8-0-0 when leading at the half, only conceding twice, Brighton are 12-1-0 with just four goals against.
Confirmed team news: Four changes for the Bees, Bryne and Reed make their full debuts, Legge and MacDonald return..... strong looking team in my not so humble opinion !
Good Luck.
I will send match updates by email as usual .
CHAMPIONSHIP
IPSWICH TOWN - READING
This shoud be quite entertaining and I do not expect either to settle for a point. Town have drawn fewer home starts than any team in the Championship in any case and with a midtable finish seemingly assured, have no reason to be cautious. Reading are unbeaten in six and are playing at a very high level at present, they do have a FA Cup quarter final with Manchester City this weekend, but just six points off the playoffs, will surely give their all for the win this evening. They have scored more goals in the last five minutes of games ( 11 in total) than any other side in the division and are unbeaten in all 16 matches that Mikele Leigertwood has started, I have told you before how very important he has been to the Royals. Bit of a mini crisis for Town with several players facing late tests, team news vital here. Reading have collected points in 7 of the 11 games in which they have trailed at the half.
Confirmed team news: Kebe and Tabb out for Royals, Howard and Karacan in, a very adventurous 4-3-3 formation, at least thats what it looks like.
Town : Fulop, Edwards, McAuley, Delaney, O'Dea, Drury, Norris, Leadbitter, Martin, Scotland, Wickham..... no Bullard !
SWANSEA - WATFORD
Swansea will stay in second place with a win tonight regardless of what happens elsewhere which is a big incentive and will be looking to bounce back after a 1-0 loss at Scunthorpe on saturday. Despite the loss, they played well at Glanford Park on a pudding of a pitch, which did not suit their silky ball passing style of football, enjoying 61% possession and winning the attempts on goal count 18-9, coach Brendan Rodgers pronounced himself "pleased" with the performance afterwards and you will not hear that too often following a defeat. Watford now looked booked for a midtable finish despite ending a poor run with a 1-0 win over Millwall at the weekend, the Lions having had several clear chances to take the lead, the Hornets can beat anyone on a going day, but their lack of depth has caught up with what is a talented, but young and inexperienced squad. Key stat, visitors have won only 3 of the 12 games (25%) in which they have gone in level at the break, Swans 7 of 14 (50%).
Confirmed team news : John Eustace returns from suspension for Watford. Swansea: Dobbie in for Britton, Moore replaces Beattie, the same starting eleven who walloped Leeds here 3-0 recently.
DIVISION 1
BRENTFORD - BRIGHTON
No real history between these two clubs, but there is a little ill feeling between the two owners, who are probably the two biggest gamblers/syndicate owners in europe, not that that makes any difference, as neither is likely to play !
Brentford had a long and fruitless journey up to the North East at the weekend and performed poorly in a 3-0 loss to Hartlepool. That has left the Bees firmly in midtable and their Wembley final next month aside, we can only expect them to really get "up" for the bigger league fixtures and a visit from the league leaders, with a large travelling support under the floodlights at Griffin Park, which is always special, certainly falls into that category. Bees have already seen off Championship Hull City and EPL side Everton here this season and new boss Nicky Forster will want to recover quickly from his first loss in charge and claim another scalp, the game has extra meaning for Forster who returned to the Bees after three years with the south coast side last year and knows many of the visiting team well.
Brighton are also top of the second half table with an impressive 16-12-4 record, first goal might be crucial, Bees are 8-0-0 when leading at the half, only conceding twice, Brighton are 12-1-0 with just four goals against.
Confirmed team news: Four changes for the Bees, Bryne and Reed make their full debuts, Legge and MacDonald return..... strong looking team in my not so humble opinion !
Good Luck.
I will send match updates by email as usual .
Sunday, March 06, 2011
SUNDAY ....
Way off the mark with the Lincoln - Stanley game yesterday, there were quite a lot of chances in the match and as is so often the case with these "over" bets, it is the first goal which is key and it never came. I had six picks yesterday, four won giving a 32% profit on the day, but unfortunately I posted one of the losers here. That is the gamble, the blog contains just a small sample of my output, so will always be more in the hands of the gambling gods.
I am involved in three events today and have picks I really like at odds of 6.50 and 8.0, the latter looks really good value and win or lose, I am incredibly happy with and excited about this bet, if you cannot understand my thought process about that statement, it is going to be very hard for you to make money gambling. I cannot post either of those selections here today, but will put up the third and hope that we enjoy better luck today ....
LA LIGA
SPORTING GIJON - GETAFE
Really massive game for Gijon who are one point from safety and face a daunting trip to Villarreal ( 11-2-1) next week , shortly followed by a visit to Real Madrid ( 13-0-0), they desperately need to pick up points from their next two home games and a visit from a mid table side, especially one coming off a midweek derby game, is about as good as it gets at this stage of the season. Hosts did have a recent 1-1 home draw with Barcelona, infact, they are the only team to take any points at all off the Catalan giants away from the Camp Nou and followed that up with another unlikely point at Valencia, they have since lost 3-0 at Sevilla, but that came on the back of some really tough games and they played well over an hour with ten men, all three goals coming after the dismissal. At least that match was played on tuesday, allowing Sporting a full 24 hours longer recovery time than Getafe, who played out a keenly contested Madrid derby with Atletico the next night, having led for 78 minutes there, the result would have been a disappointment to today's visitors. Apart from the suspended Eguren, hosts have a full squad to pick from, although one or two are carrying minor knocks and the coach might opt to rotate a little, that will probably be the case all across La Liga following a full midweek programme. Very motivated home side to collect the spoils.
Gijon -0.5 2.20 + .... 2.25 in places.
Good Luck.
I am involved in three events today and have picks I really like at odds of 6.50 and 8.0, the latter looks really good value and win or lose, I am incredibly happy with and excited about this bet, if you cannot understand my thought process about that statement, it is going to be very hard for you to make money gambling. I cannot post either of those selections here today, but will put up the third and hope that we enjoy better luck today ....
LA LIGA
SPORTING GIJON - GETAFE
Really massive game for Gijon who are one point from safety and face a daunting trip to Villarreal ( 11-2-1) next week , shortly followed by a visit to Real Madrid ( 13-0-0), they desperately need to pick up points from their next two home games and a visit from a mid table side, especially one coming off a midweek derby game, is about as good as it gets at this stage of the season. Hosts did have a recent 1-1 home draw with Barcelona, infact, they are the only team to take any points at all off the Catalan giants away from the Camp Nou and followed that up with another unlikely point at Valencia, they have since lost 3-0 at Sevilla, but that came on the back of some really tough games and they played well over an hour with ten men, all three goals coming after the dismissal. At least that match was played on tuesday, allowing Sporting a full 24 hours longer recovery time than Getafe, who played out a keenly contested Madrid derby with Atletico the next night, having led for 78 minutes there, the result would have been a disappointment to today's visitors. Apart from the suspended Eguren, hosts have a full squad to pick from, although one or two are carrying minor knocks and the coach might opt to rotate a little, that will probably be the case all across La Liga following a full midweek programme. Very motivated home side to collect the spoils.
Gijon -0.5 2.20 + .... 2.25 in places.
Good Luck.
Saturday, March 05, 2011
UPDATE ....
I have previewed three matches today and have posted one of them below. Around 50 of you will have already received my full notes for today's matches and will also get my pre match notes and half time updates for the additional three matches I am following "in running".
Funny week so far, Kolo Toure has been on the "slimming pills" ( he is a big lad though), not sure what Sir Alex was on with his post match comments about Martin Atkinson, he must have known what to expect (see Tuesday post) and also knows that he will have a more "favourable" referee in charge sometime soon, better to keep quiet on the odd occasion his team are on the rough end of the deal.
Another "big surprise" was that there was trouble on and off the pitch in a midweek evening Old Firm game in Glasgow, no one saw that coming ! They usually play at lunchtime on sunday for a reason ! Winners from this debacle, only Strathclyde police looking to rack up the overtime, losers, domestic violence reports up 70% in the city!
Hopefully we can focus on the beautiful game today and that my beloved Bees can play their part with some samba style football in sunny Hartlepool..... I live in hope !
Good Luck with all your bets today.
Funny week so far, Kolo Toure has been on the "slimming pills" ( he is a big lad though), not sure what Sir Alex was on with his post match comments about Martin Atkinson, he must have known what to expect (see Tuesday post) and also knows that he will have a more "favourable" referee in charge sometime soon, better to keep quiet on the odd occasion his team are on the rough end of the deal.
Another "big surprise" was that there was trouble on and off the pitch in a midweek evening Old Firm game in Glasgow, no one saw that coming ! They usually play at lunchtime on sunday for a reason ! Winners from this debacle, only Strathclyde police looking to rack up the overtime, losers, domestic violence reports up 70% in the city!
Hopefully we can focus on the beautiful game today and that my beloved Bees can play their part with some samba style football in sunny Hartlepool..... I live in hope !
Good Luck with all your bets today.
SATURDAY ....
DIVISION 2
LINCOLN CITY - ACCRINGTON STANLEY
I simply feel that the odds are wrong in this game and that the "over" option has been wildly overpriced. We were involved in the City midweek game ( I have reproduced my notes below) when they somehow beat Oxford 3-1, we got our money back with the "saver" bet there , but United were well on top and passed City off the pitch at times, despite shooting themselves in the foot with TWO own goals. City have not yet replaced Hoyte, who is out for the season and I explained how lost they have looked in his absence defensively, but this is a team who know where the goal is and Ashley Grimes and Delroy Facey are proving a handful for all defences at this level, they are "over" in 14 of their last 18 games. Stanley play a very open style, both at the Crown ground and on the road, where they are without a clean sheet in 14 starts.
Neither team has any relegation concerns, both sit seven points off the playoffs with games in hand on some of the teams above them, they will surely go al out for three points, with a draw of little value to either. The reverse fixture was very open, Stanley won 3-0 efefctively sealing the win with two early strikes, but City had plenty of chances despite finishing with ten men, they hit the woodwork and also missed a sitter when the game was still in the balance and there could/should have been more goals in the game.
LINCOLN CITY - ACCRINGTON STANLEY
I simply feel that the odds are wrong in this game and that the "over" option has been wildly overpriced. We were involved in the City midweek game ( I have reproduced my notes below) when they somehow beat Oxford 3-1, we got our money back with the "saver" bet there , but United were well on top and passed City off the pitch at times, despite shooting themselves in the foot with TWO own goals. City have not yet replaced Hoyte, who is out for the season and I explained how lost they have looked in his absence defensively, but this is a team who know where the goal is and Ashley Grimes and Delroy Facey are proving a handful for all defences at this level, they are "over" in 14 of their last 18 games. Stanley play a very open style, both at the Crown ground and on the road, where they are without a clean sheet in 14 starts.
Neither team has any relegation concerns, both sit seven points off the playoffs with games in hand on some of the teams above them, they will surely go al out for three points, with a draw of little value to either. The reverse fixture was very open, Stanley won 3-0 efefctively sealing the win with two early strikes, but City had plenty of chances despite finishing with ten men, they hit the woodwork and also missed a sitter when the game was still in the balance and there could/should have been more goals in the game.
With Scorer Street just around the corner from Sincil Bank how can there not be goals ?
"over" 2.5 goals 2.17
Good Luck.
LINCOLN CITY - OXFORD UNITED
We have discussed Oxford United quite a lot over the last couple of seasons and done well in backing them, including in the recent 3-0 win at Morecambe the preview for which is reproduced below, to save my two fingered typing skills from overwork. That was the U's last road start and the three points took them right into the heart of the playoff battle, they lost ground at the weekend with a 2-0 home loss to Hereford, but they played pretty well in that, 59% possession ,19-7 in chances and were denied two penalty appeals, the first of which was blatant, so I will put that down simply as a minor blip. Hereford scored in the eighth minute, by which time the home could already have been two up and got their second with a breakaway goal as time expired, the visiting boss Jamie Pitman called it their " best performance of the season", as Oxford were all over them, it gives you some idea of the level that Chris Wilder's team are playing at. Another is that CW is not an easy man to please, but he has already said that he will probably stick with the same starting eleven, which means a three man strike force even on the road, a policy which has served them so well in recent months.
Lincoln were unbeaten in five before a 2-0 home loss to Chesterfield and then a 4-2 defeat at Barnet on saturday. The first of those was 0-0 early when key City defender Gavin Hoyte ( on loan from Arsenal) went off injured, he is unavailable again tonight and they have conceded six goals in some 160 minutes in his absence. I have just watched extended highlights of the Barnet game, the home side were 3-0 up at the half, it should have been five, as they hit the woodwork twice and the City defending was shambolic, they could not handle or stop crosses into the box and big visiting target man James Constable will be rubbing his hands with glee if he has also watched those "lowlights". Very hard to see the home side keeping a cleansheet, but they do pose a strong offensive threat of their own, probably goals in this, would not put you off the "over", but I will take the away team off level ball and a tiny saver on four or more goals , 1-3 or something similar will do nicely !
1.5 units Oxford level ball 1.94
0.5 units "over" 3.5 goals 3.75 + ..... 4.0 in places.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
NICE TO SEE YOU, TO SEE YOU NICE !
Yes, it is normally a "good game" for Chelsea when Martin Atkinson is the man in the middle, here is a list of the last 16 Blues games in which the Leeds based referee has been in charge .......
BLACKBURN ROVERS 2011-01-15 H PREM W 2 0
FULHAM 2010-11-10 H PREM W 1 0
STOKE CITY 2010-08-28 H PREM W 2 0
WIGAN ATHLETIC 2010-05-09 H PREM W 8 0
STOKE CITY 2010-03-07 H FAC W 2 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 2009-11-08 H PREM W 1 0
LIVERPOOL 2009-10-04 H PREM W 2 0
ARSENAL 2009-04-18 N FAC W 2 1
SUNDERLAND 2008-11-01 H PREM W 5 0
STOKE CITY 2008-09-27 A PREM W 2 0
EVERTON 2008-04-17 A PREM W 1 0
LIVERPOOL 2007-12-19 H LC W 2 0
FULHAM 2007-09-29 H PREM D 0 0
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2007-03-19 A FAC W 2 1
WIGAN ATHLETIC 2007-01-13 H PREM W 4 0
SHEFFIELD UNITED 2006-10-28 A PREM W 2 0
Twelve straight wins with a 30-1 goal difference and only two conceded in sixteen starts.
One of those was a previous Chelsea-United game at Stamford Bridge, when the home side won courtesy of a late John Terry winner, however, key match decisions were made by Atkinson, when according to the BBC ..... "Twice Chelsea got the better of close early refereeing decisions, firstly when Anderson set Rooney through on goal only for the striker to be harshly ruled offside and then when Terry escaped punishment for an apparent tug on Valencia's shirt in the box ".
Regardless of the result tonight, it always pays to take a look at the man making the big decisions.
Good luck with your bets in what looks a very interesting midweek programme.
BLACKBURN ROVERS 2011-01-15 H PREM W 2 0
FULHAM 2010-11-10 H PREM W 1 0
STOKE CITY 2010-08-28 H PREM W 2 0
WIGAN ATHLETIC 2010-05-09 H PREM W 8 0
STOKE CITY 2010-03-07 H FAC W 2 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 2009-11-08 H PREM W 1 0
LIVERPOOL 2009-10-04 H PREM W 2 0
ARSENAL 2009-04-18 N FAC W 2 1
SUNDERLAND 2008-11-01 H PREM W 5 0
STOKE CITY 2008-09-27 A PREM W 2 0
EVERTON 2008-04-17 A PREM W 1 0
LIVERPOOL 2007-12-19 H LC W 2 0
FULHAM 2007-09-29 H PREM D 0 0
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2007-03-19 A FAC W 2 1
WIGAN ATHLETIC 2007-01-13 H PREM W 4 0
SHEFFIELD UNITED 2006-10-28 A PREM W 2 0
Twelve straight wins with a 30-1 goal difference and only two conceded in sixteen starts.
One of those was a previous Chelsea-United game at Stamford Bridge, when the home side won courtesy of a late John Terry winner, however, key match decisions were made by Atkinson, when according to the BBC ..... "Twice Chelsea got the better of close early refereeing decisions, firstly when Anderson set Rooney through on goal only for the striker to be harshly ruled offside and then when Terry escaped punishment for an apparent tug on Valencia's shirt in the box ".
Regardless of the result tonight, it always pays to take a look at the man making the big decisions.
Good luck with your bets in what looks a very interesting midweek programme.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
