Managers should shout out the odds more often
THE strict FA regulations introduced in the summer mean footballers aren't even allowed to think about betting but at times the odds can be a great source of motivation for teams.
If I was a manager I'd be in the dressing room with a copy of the Racing Post, telling my charges: “Look, the bookies make us 4-7 to beat this lot and they don't often get things wrong, do they?
Apparently punters have been piling into us to win by two or more goals so let's go out there and prove them right.”
A shrewd gaffer could fire up his out-of-form striker by pointing out that some layers have chalked him up at 14-1 to score first. “That's downright disrespectful, lad. That's the kind of price Tony Hibbert goes off at!”
Anyway, if I was on the Aston Villa dressing room, I'd definitely be shouting the odds. “They've priced up QPR as 11-8 favourites. QPR! The bottom club in the division! What do you think about that, boys?”
And my outraged cries would continue as I was being dragged out by the FA's anti-punting police.
Weirdly, though, I'm coming round to the idea that Harry Redknapp's side are worth a bet at Loftus Road.
Everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong for them this season – missed penalties, comical own goals, 'Arry falling out with Adel 'Six-Pack' Taarabt, and chances falling to Leroy Fer.
But they actually played brilliantly in the first half against Liverpool – Bobby Zamora looked like a £40m player for God's sake! – and with Eduardo Vargas and Charlie Austin fit they should keep scoring goals.
Since Villa last notched, assistant boss Roy Keane has had time to grow and then shave off a terrifying beard and write a best-selling book.
As long as Richard Dunne and Steven Caulker remember which way they're supposed to be facing then I reckon QPR are good for the three points on Monday.
