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THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Matty Takes At Look At The League Two Contenders

With the new League 2 campaign now kicked off, I feel proud to be asked on behalf of County 4 Life to take a look at the bookies' view of the promotion chasers and relegation candidates for the forthcoming season.

Before we begin we must point out that County 4 Life does not give out gambling advice - I bet on a horse at Goodwood on Saturday, it was the first time I saw a horse start from a kneeling position.

Favourites for promotion this year are Peterborough United. Fuelled by the money ploughed into the club by Darragh MacAnthony. Despite not reaching the play-offs last term the bookies are in agreement that Posh will be promoted automatically this season.

The bookies' 2nd faves are MK Dons. New manager Paul Ince made a great start to his managerial career last season when he kept what looked an almost doomed Macclesfield side in the league. With some extra cash and players like McLeod and former QPR striker Kevin Gallen in the squad, the bookies are confident that the Dons will be playing in League 1 next season.

3rd favourites are the once mighty (and indeed Premiership team) Bradford City. Former player and Bradford legend Stuart McCall has most notably signed Peter Thorne to boost their chances of automatic promotion. By the way, although like me and Scotty, he was brought up in Flixton, Peter Thorne is no relation to me. Although my Dad did have a bike. 

I'm amazed that 4th and 5th faves are Chesterfield and Brentford.

The bookies seems to have been dazzled or conned with Chesterfield boss Lee Richardson's summer signings. They not only include Jack Lester from Forest but also former Aston Villa and County player the man Tesco refused a loyalty card to, Jamie Ward. The bookies installing Brentford as fifth favourites for promotion I assume must be based on last year's performance in League 1, when despite their relegation they went on a run of eight games unbeaten.

In the favourites to enter the joy's of Conference (sorry Blue Square Premier League) football are the very hotly tipped Accrington Stanley. In fact looking at the odds, you may be able to get better odds on the sun rising tomorrow morning.

The bookies feel a lack of money and a lack of any really notable signings will see the club drop out of the league come May 2008.

Not suprisingly following a mass exodous, Barnet are second favourite for the drop. With 13 players leaving the club in the summer and no signings of note it would appear that Paul Fairclough's side are a sure fire bet to disappear down the trap door.

Not surprising perennial under-achievers Bury are third favourites for the drop, having finished fourth from bottom last season, and struggled the previous season. They had the worst defensive record last season and have tried to rectify this with the signings of Ben Futcher.

As you would expect from a team newly-promoted to the League, Sammy McIlroy's Morecambe are fourth faves for the drop. Despite the huge jump in quality, with Sammy's experience, I wouldn't be surprised if The Shrimps managed to stay up this season, although they could be in for a long hard slog.

God's Own Team, despite missing out on the play-offs last term on goal difference (and undertaking a record breaking run of 9 games unbeaten with no goals conceded) are not one of the favourites for promotion.

The bookies have placed us firmly placed in the 'also-ran' section along with Rochdale and that massive club Wycombe. For the first season in some time, we no longer appear as relegation fodder, however neither do we appear as a promotion candidate. One bookmaker places us at 18/1 to win the league outright...!

Incidently the bookies are no longer taking odds on the following - Jim Gannon clapping the Edgeley faithful on the pitch following a win, Proudlock drinking strong coffee before home games, Dicko's dad leaving when Liam's substituted, Scotty saying something controversial in his column and Michael Malcolm scoring for Dag and Red on the opening day of the season.

Enjoy...!