Sample League 2 betting preview: Exeter City - Portsmouth
Aug 09, 2014
Another sample preview, but even with these two, you have only seen 22% of today's clubgowi output.
League 2: Exeter City - Portsmouth
We took a look at Pompey in out League 2 preview .....
I am pleased that expectation levels have fallen at Portsmouth, it was always going to be difficult their first year at this level. A visit from Pompey was massive for virtually every League 2 club and most recorded their highest attendance for the season when Portsmouth were in town and teams raised their game and level of performance accordingly.
Portsmouth averaged crowds of 15,428 at Fratton Park, which was 5,000 per game more than three Championship teams and was 3.5 times the League 2 average, matches against Pompey were like cup finals for the smaller clubs and a highlight of the season. It was also a step into the unknown for almost everyone connected with the South Coast club and a learning curve which took a long time to handle.
But handle it they eventually did and they averaged 1.57 points per game over the last 19 rounds and about the same number of goals, both or which equated to last season's automatic promotion level over a full campaign.
To say they are a massive club at this level is an understatement, but this year, they should be able to use it to their advantage and not everyone elses, they will know what to expect on a freezing cold mid winter night in Morecambe and believe me, those type of games are not easy and I expect them to go well.
Andy Awford has been given the head coach job on a permanent basis after overseeing the revival at the end of last season and after 14 years at the club , knows what makes it tick , he has signed
Paul Jones, Michael Poke, Alex Wynter, James Dunne, Nigel Atangana, Miles Storey and Craig Westcarr over the summer, which adds a good looking mix of huge experience at this level and talented youngsters who should be desperate to prove themselves.
They have some classy individuals in Johannes Ertl, Patrick Agyemang, Nicky Shorey , Danny Hollands etc who have all played top level football, or at least at that level ! There is also some exciting young talent in Jed Wallace, James Dunne and the aforementioned Atangana (who was playing non league ...6th tier last season) and I have heard really good reports about all three..... I know two Portsmouth season ticket holders. Dunne was well thought of at Arsenal as a youngster and is still only 24, Wallace has come through the academy and played for the national U19 team . The one I would like to see is Nigel Atangana, he was snapped from 5th tier French Football by Pompey neighbours and BSS team Havant, he had a terrific season there , POTY award and a lot of local headlines, which awford and his team could hardly miss (Havant is about 7 miles from Portsmouth). They have taken a gamble and I understand are very pleased they did. Build wise and position, think Viera !
Lots to like in pre season and the goals have been flowing, a good start in the league and I think they will go close, this big South coast juggernaut will be very tough to stop if they build up a head of steam early.
I have to take the visitors to hit the ground running, the level of expectation is less away from Fratton Park and the wide open space of St James Park where City lost a league high 11 times last season should suit. I do not want to go into too much detail about the situation at Exeter, but playing wise, the club and boss Paul Tisdale have been operating under horrendous financial restrictions for the best part of two seasons. I have a lot of time for Tisdale, but he has been working with his hands tied behind his back, there is a transfer embargo, the squad is full of youngsters, most of whom have been blooded too soon, regardless of potential . The chairman Ed Chorlton resigned two weeks ago and has not yet been replaced, chief executive Guy Wolfenden did likewise yesterday and that doesn't augur well and hints at even bigger problems within the club. If they avoid a relegation battle, they will have done incredibly well. If that was not doom and gloom enough, there has been a virus at Exeter this week with a number of players sick and at least six were listed as doubts yesterday,
Since writing my original notes, Portsmouth , who did most of their business early, also signed Paul Robinson from Millwall on a one month loan, which I hope will work out and be extended, he spent 13 years at the Den ( Old and New) and could be a very good signing at this level, you will not find a Lions supporter who would say a bad word about him and most feel he could still do a job at L1 at least and there has been interest in him from the third tier and he made 25 Championship appearances last season. Massive away following, tickets were sold out ages ago and they should be going home happy !
1.5 units Portsmouth 2.10-2.15 general quote.
Good Luck.
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