League Two Betting: Promotion talk abounds at Bradford and Shrewsbury

English Football League / Ian Lamont / 28 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

Ian Lamont looks at the League Two odds ahead of this weekend's fixtures, where Bradford and Shrewsbury will be looking to build on bright starts.

If necessity is the mother of invention then what is ambition? It probably isn't as pleasant, judging by what happens to those who state how good they are only to fall flat.

How about ambition is the orphan of desire? A thought, perhaps, to concentrate the mind of Bradford chairman Julian Rhodes, who nailed his intentions for the Yorkshire side to the mast by saying that back-to-back promotions, this season and next, are a realistic target.

Such a bold shout in August is sure to stoke up opponents. But what are the chances? Historically, it's possible from a League Two start. Brighton did it in 2000-01 and 2001-02. Hull City did it in 2003-04 and 2004-05 - the common element for the latter three seasons being Peter Taylor, now managing Wycombe.

As for the Bantams, they have the profile of a big, well-supported club who have fallen down the ladder. Their attendances far outstrip most teams in the division and on that basis you would expect them to have a few quid to spend throughout the season. But it isn't quite as simple as that. In this case season tickets have been sold at discount prices.

The strategy of getting money in up front and spending it might have its pitfalls and fans must hope they have something in reserve. Stuart McCall, uncompromising as a player, will not stand any nonsense and will not hesitate to reshape if needed mid-season. He certainly make his own statement of intent by snapping up striker Michael Boulding, who netted 25 league goals last season for relegated Mansfield Town.

The fact that Boulding couldn't make the starting line-up on the opening day of the season says something about Bradford's strength. As does Peter Thorne's ability to keep banging in the goals - and supply them - at the age of 35.

The pair seem to be building an understanding quickly and will surely enjoy the chance to pit their goalscoring skills against Aldershot Town on Saturday. It's not that Aldershot are poor defensively - two goals conceded in three games is not a bad start for the promoted side - but the Hampshire club love to play open football. This will inevitably provide spaces between the midfield and defence and, as Aldershot found at Shrewsbury last weekend, one error can prove costly.

Gary Waddock wasn't happy with sloppy defending, but I think his keeper Nicky Bull could be a busy man and the [2.54] on a Bradford victory might seem generous. But The Shots still are looking for that first home win back in the Football League and will be looking to make their own statement about their season's intentions. The draw, therefore, is the choice at [3.35].

When I'm looking to back an away side, I like to find prices bigger than [2.0]. This stage of the season, with punters, fans and managers all trying to fathom out their division, always seems to me the best time to seek such odds.

Shrewsbury look very strong this year and are a case in point. Snap up the [2.34] on a victory at Notts County. It might seem easy to pick out a side who splashed out a club record £170,000 for a striker, Nottingham Forest's Grant Holt, but it's the manager you want to follow. Paul Simpson (pictured) knows all about back-to-back promotions, achieving a Conference then League Two double in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

At the time of writing, Gillingham are the only team odds-on to win at home this weekend - and I shall be laying them at anything I can get under [2.0].

Their opponents are Accrington Stanley, whose keeper Kenny Arthur has a special incentive to keep a clean sheet. His manager, John Coleman, has promised to wear a kilt if his stopper could go three league games without conceding.

In addition, Stanley are benefiting from the additions of John Mullin - brother of striker Paul - who has plenty of Football League experience, the livewire Jamie Clarke, on loan from Blackburn Rovers, and Ireland Under-21 international Jimmy Ryan.

Finally, the way Rotherham have started the season, [3.0] to win away at Brentford is a value bet too good to turn down. How often does a player score against his old side? Well, if Reuben Reid is on fire against his old club, then impressive-looking Bees keeper Ben Hamer, on loan from Reading, is going to have his work cut out.