Place your bets: Odds for next season out now!

By Albatross
May 30 2006

The lineup for Division 3 may have only been settled at the weekend, but already most of the Bookies have odds available for those wanting to back Hartlepool United - or anybody else - for the title next season.

At the time of writing Pools are actually joint favourites at 8/1 with Corals together with Swindon. Bigger odds will probably be available elsewhere, with Pools starting of at around 16/1 with some. Before anyone gets too excited by that, it's worth bearing in mind that Bookies aren't interested in making predictions, and follow where the money's going - and all that it indicates is that at least one Bookie thinks Pools will attract some money. In fact, it's tempting to say that Poolies could get together and agree not to back ourselves for promotion until just before the start of the season to get the best odds!

While last season showed the risks of backing your team for promotion even with plenty of reason for confidence, Pools fans can expect the club to be looking to bounce back. What happens over the next few months will be crucial though, and none of us really knows what the future holds.

Rumours are still circulating about the new manager, and presumably Pools are interviewing soon if they haven't already. It's noticable though that the talk seems to be more about who might have applied than who will get the job - everyone's aware that IOR have surprised us with appointments in the past.

The name that seems to be on many lips at the moment is Clyde boss Graham Roberts. He's had some eye-catching results in the cups, and on paper might be a strong candidate - but you also don't have to look too far for people raising a cautionary note about the former Spurs hardman. He's apparently on his way out of Clyde whatever happens, with talk of investigations into comments made during a club tour of Canada; and his managerial career before that is also somewhat chequered. He may have brought success on the pitch to clubs, but he's also had fallings-out with fans and chairmen. An article on Yeovil site Ciderspace about his tenure there says "He was regarded as an embarrasment and a source of pride, as a thug and as an inspiration in equal measure." He had a string of jobs in non-league football before heading over the border - and the number of them and the manner of his departures may give Pools some pause for thought.

Of the other candidates mentioned Danny Wilson is another who could polarise fans; although he's had some success, he failed to get Bristol City promoted despite considerable financial backing and then oversaw consecutive battles against relegation at Franchise.

Whoever does get the job, the news so far is that the squad still looks strong enough to mount a challenge. The departures so far have been former youth teamers and an injury-prone left back; and despite much talk of players handing in transfer requests the only one that we know of is Darren Williams - hardly seen as a key player on the terraces. Adam Boyd and Joel Porter remain under contract, and if both remain fit - and James Brown continues to develop - we shouldn't lack for a cutting edge.

There's no indication from the club about when an appointment might be made, but as we're now several days after the closing date I'd expect interviews to be happening about now - and an announcement might then take place next week or the week after. At least it gives Poolies something to talk about rather than waiting for the next bulletin about Rooney's foot!