X-Factor / Mike Norman / 18 October 2010 / 10

Mike Norman's daughter is a big fan of One Direction and that can only mean one thing, that this quintet of teenagers are the next big thing. But will they win this year's X Factor?

For two years they've clashed over the X-Factor. In 2008, Mike Norman prevailed. In 2009, Jack Houghton made it honours even. Norman's claims of foul-play last year sparked a brawl at the betting.betfair Christmas party. To avoid a repeat performance, the editors have decided to formalise things this year. Each armed with a £1,000 and their We-Love-You-Simon badges, Mike and Jack go head-to-head - tipping their way to a Christmas number one."

So, not many surprises in X Factor land this weekend. In fact, if anything, the picture has become a whole lot more clear.

With journeyman rocker Storm Lee and camp duo Diva Fever joining FYD and Nicola Festa on this year's X Factor scrapheap, it's pretty obvious that - unlike in the case of Jedward last year - the sensible voting public outweigh the deluded voting public at this stage. True, rubbish acts like Wagner, Belle Amie and Paije Richardson are still pitching, but they won't last much longer.

Something else that has become clear is that - in my opinion only - it's quite possible that already we have a two-horse race between Matt Cardle - available to back at [3.8] in the Winner market - and brilliant boy band One Direction ([4.0]).

I'll start with One Direction because I honestly believe they are going to be absolutely massive in the pop world, regardless of whether they win this year or not. And the reason I know this is because my nine-year-old daughter Sasha has already put a One Direction hoody on her Christmas wish list (she has a JLS one you see). But that fact aside, it's hard to not like this quintet of 16-18 year-olds. They performed brilliantly again on Saturday and just seem to be having the time of their lives out there. I'll repeat what I've said from the outset, I believe it's written in the stars (or script if you like) that Simon Cowell - the show's mogul - will be the mentor in charge when the Groups win the X Factor for the very first time.

I've thrown many darts in the Winner market thus far, but I've still only got four acts covered and I'm happy with that. But I am going to lump another £100 on One Direction this week as it is just impossible not to see them being there at the death.

For the first time I'm starting to worry about Cardle beating my four selections. He is an outstanding performer and once again on Saturday he demonstrated his excellent vocal range. And all this without his hat on! I could get him on side now but I think that would be unfair given my tipping battle with Jack Houghton. I believe Cardle and One Direction will be there at the end, and ultimately, who prevails out of them two acts could decide who wins our private little battle.

So what else did we learn this week? Well, the first thing that springs to mind is that Aiden Grimshaw is Jordan Knight - just put the New Kids On The Block singer's name into Google images and you'll see exactly what I mean.

We also gained the knowledge that Cher Lloyd likes to put her own spin on things - her words not mine. And what that literally translates to is that she likes to rap! I just can't wait for the day that someone tells her that she's not even very good at that. I don't like Lloyd one bit, neither do I like Katie Waissel, which is why I'm opposing both of them in the Girls category and having a bet on Treyc Cohen at odds of [4.7]. The only danger I can see is Rebecca Ferguson ([2.16]), but at the current odds I'm happy with my selection.

In the 5th and 6th Elimination markets Paije Richardson is available to back at [5.4]. Paije has a lovely soulful voice, but he is like a fish out of water if asked to sing something up-tempo, or a modern day pop song, so I'm taking a chance that he will falter this week. You will undoubtedly get matched at odds of much higher than [5.4] as the week progresses, but in this hugely disadvantageous tipping competition I'm in, I have to quote the current odds at the time of writing - but you won't hear any whinging on my part!

Betting bank running total = £560
This week's recommendations

£100 BACK One Direction at [4.0] in Winner market
£60 BACK Treyc Cohen at [4.7] in Girls market
£30 BACK Paije Richardson at [5.4] in 5th Elimination market
£30 BACK Paije Richardson at [5.4] in 6th Elimination market

Previous recommendations

£50 BACK Aiden Grimshaw at [5.8] in Winner market - OPEN
£30 BACK Treyc Cohen at [19.0] in Winner market - OPEN
£100 BACK Rebecca Ferguson at [5.2] in Winner market - OPEN
£50 BACK Aiden Grimshaw at [12.0] in Winner market - OPEN
£75 BACK One Direction at [5.8] in Winner market - OPEN
£75 BACK Simon Cowell at [3.5] in Winning Mentor market - OPEN
£30 BACK John Adeley at [7.6] in 3rd Elimination market - LOST
£30 BACK Wagner at [5.2] in 3rd Elimination market - LOST

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(10)

1. Ian Lamont | 18 October 2010

   Matt Cardle is justifiably favourite in what is the strongest X Factor yet. When Simon Cowell praises eight acts on only week two you know this will be a quality year. Cardle could end up being as big as Robbie Williams, with a better voice, as he can turn his voice to a great deal of music. The advantage One Direction have over acts like Storm - great as he was at what he did - is that they can be moulded, unlike those who already have an established style like the old(er) rocker. Once we lose Wagner (who, pray tell, is voting for him?!) there's a serious talent contest in progress.

2. andy | 19 October 2010

   They performed brilliantly again on Saturday

   they were dreadful and cant sing, and for anyone to think they were brilliant is madness.

3. Mike | 19 October 2010

   Andy, thanks for your opinion but I couldn’t disagree more, in fact, surely you are in the minority here.

   One Direction did perform brilliantly in my opinion, and that view is backed up by the marvelous reception they received, the rave reviews they got from all four judges, and the fact that they are now FAVOURITES to win the show on Betfair.

   I don’t know how you can say they can’t sing. Remember, out of 200,000 entrants, these five lads reached the final Bootcamp stage – which is about the last 50 or so acts. I don’t know how anyone can get to the last 50 out of 200,000 without being a decent singer. Ok, Wagner’s still in there but the Over 28s category was very weak to start with.

   
   Thanks for your comment also Ian. I agree Matt is outstanding and like I say in my article, I believe it will be him and One Direction who could fight it out for the title.

4. andy | 20 October 2010

   to be fair mike, saying they got a good reception and that the judges loved them isnt a reason whether they are good or not.

   obviously this is about a competition and who wins it and of course where the value is on betting on the event is the purpose of this page.

   they can win, they are popular, they will get bigged up by the judges because they know that these guys can sell records.

   none of that i disagree with and none of your tipping either do i disagree with

   what i disagree with is the view they "They performed brilliantly again on Saturday"

   when they clearly didnt, as they cant sing, have one member who needs carried as he has horrendous stage fright and who are far away from note perfect as you can possibly get sometimes.

5. phil279 | 20 October 2010

   I'm with Andy, One direction are very poor in my opinion,as is the standard in general this year.
   They have an air of uncertaintly about them, always looking to each other for reassurance
   I can't believe how the judges are gushing over this rubbish.

6. Mike | 20 October 2010

   Thanks for your comments guys, they’re much appreciated.

   I agree, that my support for One Direction is more based on what I think they’ll go on to achieve rather than what they are doing now, but considering we are only two weeks in they are performing very well. Liam Payne is the guy who keeps them all together and the others – barring the nervous-looking one perhaps – do look comfortable with the arrangement.

   What I like about them is the fact that when they do look around at each other (perhaps looking for leadership or help) they do it in a confident manner, with smiles on their faces and a little swagger which then comes across as it’s all pre-arranged and they know exactly what they are doing. What I’m trying to say is that they don’t come across as a group of boys who are petrified and are unsure of what to do next.

   Ok Andy, I admit, having watched them back a few times their performance on Saturday wasn’t brilliant (I easily get carried away mate, you’ll just have to bare with me), in fact, their rendition of the Coldplay song in week one was better. But I still think they’ll get better as the show goes on and I will be amazed if they are not there right at the death.
   

7. andy | 21 October 2010

   we are nearly fully agreed Mike :-)

   to be honest, most this yr dont really have the talent of people already established in the business and it is easy to make them out to be better than they are

   Louis's obsession with saying "you are like a young (insert similar type singer/group here) is starting to grate as they arent, never really have been over 6-7 yrs of this stuff.

   its entertaining sat' night tv, we all watch it, we all get emotionally and fiscally involved, but they aint that talented.

8. ozz | 21 October 2010

   I have to agree with andy and phil on this.

   One Direction are complete tosh. They should more aptly be called 'No Direction'.

   Cowell, of course, has his own agenda and that will be to get them as close to the winning line as possible. This he will do with his usual trick of praising them to the high heavens every week, and giving them a plum slot in running order, especially as the weeks go on. Mark my words, all the time that SC thinks they have a chance, they'll never sing in one of the 'graveyard' slots and, if/when they do, that will be the time that SC has decided to cast them aside and concentrate on someting better.

   Whilst they may be Cowell's 'chose ones', at this stage, I can't see that lasting for long. They simply aren't good enough.

   Good luck though :-)

9. Ruudisss | 24 October 2010

   I don't like One Direction so much! I just can't stand that group! And what do u mean by calling Belle Amie a rubbish act! They are way better than One Direction.

10. kate | 29 October 2010

    ok right andy i am sorry about this but everything u 've been saying is alot of rubbish i agree with everything mike has been saying exept that bell amie are rubbish they are gr8

    one direction have loads of talent and can win easly especially with acts like wagner and paije

    the whole nervouse one thing is stupidif u guys mean harry styles then i would like to tell u that he happens to be very cocky confident person and just got a flash of bad stage fright it'll happen to everyone at least once

    Mike i agree with u on everything ur saying about one direction and guys u also have to remember that they're five boys just been thrown together and they have had various situations where they didn't get as much practice as the others but they came out and were amazing anyway liam does really hold them together and has the best vocals out of them all
    bye godd luck one direction

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