League Two Betting Preview: Does Campbell's arrival mean title is Bounty's?

English Football League / Ian Lamont / 27 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

Best bet:

Dagenham at [1.95] to beat Lincoln
Notts County at just above [2.0] to beat Barnet
Cheltenham to win at Darlington [2.5]

Value Bet: Bournemouth to draw with Crewe [3.45]

Ian Lamont discusses a week of big developments at Meadow Lane before previewing the weekend's fourth tier action. Best bet: Dagenham at [1.95] to beat Lincoln.

"Marquee signings" seems to be the new buzz phrase.

I waited all pre-season for cash-rich Notts Bounty to sign one truly big name above their level. Then, while I'm on holiday, they sign two, Kasper Schmeichel and Sol Campbell.

I had a "wait and see" attitude when the Magpies plucked strikers Lee Hughes, 33, and Luke Rodgers, 20, from higher levels.

Hughes is probably past his best and was not straight out of the Premier League. If he had been, it might have justified the price plunge on Ian McParland's men to win the title. Rodgers? Well, the ex-Port Vale youngster is a hungry, ambitious fellow who tried his luck at Yeovil halfway through last season and is now back in League Two, where he might just prove better than the rest.

They seemed to suit the manager's intention to build stealthily and make a gradual assent through the leagues.

Sven Goran Eriksson's presence, however, was surely never meant to let that slow burner approach suffice. Schmeichel and Campbell change the dynamic. The club's reported interest in the likes of Figo and Dietmar Hamann no longer seem quite so fanciful, even if it is still highly unlikely they would be brought to a League Two club.

Schmeichel adds quality in goal. He played for Sven at Manchester City and is at the right age to start making a name for himself in the game. Possibly likewise Rodgers.

Campbell brings kudos and credence to the revolution. Other big names might follow in due course. He adds some great experience and quality, even if my cynical side notes that the 34-year-old has signed a five-year deal.

Campbell has a bit to offer yet. Tony Adams retired at 35, Martin Keown, who left Highbury at 37, was still playing for Reading at 39.

And then off course there is veteran Gary Breen, who could make his injury comeback for Barnet, County's hosts this weekend. John O'Flynn should also return to a side that has not conceded in two games.

But when Dagenham scored five and conceded none against Shrewsbury, Notts County bashed them 3-0. Campbell should be able to cope with Albert Adomah and co.
Given my aversion to backing at evens, I shall be looking for a touch over [2.0] on McParland's side - as I give them more benefit of the doubt - to win at Barnet this weekend.

As for Dagenham, they will be eager to blot out that blemish on their league season. The [1.95] on them to defeat Lincoln seems too big. I already have the Imps marked down for another season of mediocrity.

Peter Jackson is already empathising with the fans' frustration (the sign of a man under the cosh) and he talks of giving youth its chance while half a dozen injuries dominate the agenda. Two cleared up last week, but key men Scott Kerr and Stefan Oakes are still working their way back.

Crewe boss Gudjon Thorardson believes Campbell's arrival means the other teams are now fighting for just two automatic promotion spots, with one belonging to county already.

Maybe that's premature, but the Alex have a chance to continue to make their own impression on the division. They have not conceded in three matches and therefore seem over-priced at [3.3] to win at Bournemouth, but I fancy it would be folly to totally oppose the Cherries at home this season. Their home form since December helped Eddie Howe's men claw their way out of a points deduction trouble last season.

The Dunkirk spirit seems to have continued on the south coast, with the remnants of a transfer embargo still hovering but seemingly not bothering team bonding. They still have their talisman Steve Fletcher and (by comparison to him) spring chicken sidekick Brett Pitman in tandem and will give plenty of clubs a run for their money. The value pick this week is therefore the draw at [3.45].

Finally, I'm quite a mild admirer of Martin "Mad Dog" Allen's unorthodoxy, which seems to freshen up his squads. He couldn't save the Robins from the drop last season, but the rebuilding started pretty quickly. With Justin Richards, out of non-league, grabbing an overdue chance with three goals and Elvis Hammond matching him, there is much to like about them.

After that crazy 5-4 defeat to Bradford last weekend, it seems likely they have enough goals in them to demoralise further a team, in Darlington, who have scored once all season. Colin Todd has much to do to stop the Quakers quaking. Back the away win at [2.5].

Notts County at just above [2.0] to beat Barnet
Cheltenham to win at Darlington [2.5]
Value bet. Bournemouth to draw with Crewe [3.45]