We are all immensely proud at Skybet that the Football League season kicks-off tomorrow with ourselves as the main title sponsor.
It is the biggest thing we’ve ever done as a company and, obviously, the Football League is very close to my heart having spent much of my life in and around it – both in front of and behind the scenes – and I can’t wait for the season to start.
It won’t surprise anyone that I’ve spent the last few weeks looking at all the squads and analysing all the statistics, trying to work out where the bookies might have got something wrong.
And I’ve got good news for Town fans on that front – because there is a cracking bet you can get on Mark Robins’ side in the Handicaps.
Town are getting 28 points start against their rivals in most Handicaps at about 18/1, and I reckon that’s a huge start and a fantastic bet.
I think the odds compilers have got it wrong because they are lumping Town down with Yeovil, Doncaster as their other relegation favourites and totally under estimating the quality of the squad which Robins has put together.
They’ve simply looked at where Town finished last season, without taking into account there was very little between the play-offs and the relegation placings.
Wherever Mark Robins has been and had time to work, he has put together good squads and made quality signings, adapting things as he has gone along.
I get the same impression with Town.
Last season he had to live with what he was left with, but now he has got his feet under the table he has brought some good signings in and I’m looking forward to seeing how they go on.
Keeping James Vaughan fit is probably the main issue for Town – but if he stays fit then that would be a massive boost towards winning that Handicap bet!
I like the capture of Martin Paterson from Burnley, too, because he is a good player, and the manager seems to be building a squad that can be more than competitive.
When there is so much turmoil in the game, too, it’s fantastic that Town have such a supportive chairman in Dean Hoyle who is creating a stable and sensible environment at the club.
That’s going to be a huge advantage going forward, and Town shouldn’t be under estimated by anyone.
From my own point of view, I fancy Watford to win the Championship this time. I’m a big fan of Zola and he has a quality squad.
I don’t particularly think it’s worth following QPR for the title. In the last 11 seasons only Newcastle and Sunderland have been relegated from the top flight and gone straight back up as champions.
That suggests most teams come down thinking they are a lot better than they are. Wolves and Blackburn suffered the same fate last season and it’s because the Championship is all about scrapping week in, week out, for results.
If you are not mentally tuned to that then you are going to struggle. Town know exactly what I mean.