Alley Cat Glover

Hello Alley Cat,
I see you've done yer homework, I hadn't checked the Bolton News, here's the latest on their web site.
“The hotel has been absolutely decimated and that formed a large part of the plan and that’s effectively half our revenues gone. Gartside insisted there would not be an issue when it comes to repaying a £3.5million-plus unsecured creditors bill by the end of the summer.
Under the rules of the club’s takeover, the EFL requires 35 per cent of the money owed to be settled by August. Wanderers’ bill to unsecured creditors – including Bolton Council, the emergency services, energy firms and many local companies – totalled more than £10million.
“In terms of paying off the unsecured, the plan is as it was at the time of administration,” Gartside said.
“There was an asset purchase agreement at the time, I’m not going to allude to the details because I can’t but, we’re on course for that and the unsecured creditors will be paid.
“There was a headline number at the time of exiting administration of a huge amount of debt that was due. “One of the things we’ve done in the last 18 months is work away at that as much as we could do.
“The unsecured creditor element of it was made up of hundreds of creditors small and large but predominantly there were probably six or seven large creditors, some of whom you can argue about what they’re owed, and that’s part of what we’ve done. “We’ve managed to reach a conclusion to some of those large creditors. We’re well on board with that and are not going to incur any penalties as a result.”
Hmmm, "arguing about what creditors are owed" not exactly plain sailing then hey.
As for Taft, he underperformed for the Wunderers, he might have been looking for the exit door, whatever it was looks like Sc.unthorpe have tuned a corner, that helps our cause.
As for the Academy, Sharon scythed her way through the ranks there, smiling and complimenting one and all as she went, not the sort of woman you'd want to go home to with a £ short in yer wages. On the upside though, folks who live by the sword often die by the same means.
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/19048819.bolton-favourite-david-lee-among-departures-academy/?ref=ar
Note what the Wunderers Fanatics have to say in the Comments section of the above.
As for today's games, as you say, if the games go our way the cat really would be amongst the pigeon's, wouldn't that be nice to see, especially if one of the pigeons is called Sharon. 
As for the Wunderers game, I'm saying nowt until 4:55 it'll either be tears or beers.
Added to, or subtracted from by how Bradford do today, I jut took the 13/8 on offer, seems over the odds to me.
 
 
 
 
 

Looks a strong possibility, Bradford are looking strong right now, Barrow not great on the road only won away at Port Vale in the last 6 away games. Price has drifted a bit 13/10 with Sky this morning 5/4 with Bet365.
Also like Mansfield away ar Walsall although that will be close. Scnuthorpe play tonight away at Colchester, not a bet for me but will be interesting to see if George Taft can help to keep a 3rd clean sheet, will need to improve to win away although Colchester are not great at the moment. 
Have to look at others tonight.

Watkins hatrick boosted to 50/1 with Sky Bet not the worst bet to have but depends how Villa react to Wednesdays disappointment against Man City they put a lot into that performance and -1 handicap at 5/4 just about right. 

Don’t think there will be any surprises team wise, nobody back from injury and Delaney missing through suspension. Mansfield appear strong now and wouldn’t put you off, but Bolton away do seem to pick up some results when you least expect. Even when 2 or 3 down they have comeback for decent points.
Deduction wise my gut tells that’s not going to happen, if they borrowed 40M until 2022 and beyond, not sure anyone can ask for that back, Perfect Storm is better located and closer to the news than me though.
Still talk of new player(s) from the manager in this transfer window although under embargo so only loans and freebies I think. Fans want 4 or 5 might be 1 or 2. Lad from Luton won’t be back gone to Northampton he was almost ever present in 1st half of season. Are they good enough to avoid relegation? Would suggest they need minimum of 6 wins to give them 46pts. That would mean Southend, Grimsby and Stevenage would need 8 or 9 wins to climb above them. All to play for, my cash out from Skybet has been climbing recently so that’s good news although it is a touch like Bitcoin in that behaviour!
All the best.

The reason I don’t like Southend on Tuesday night is Dieng is suspended for his red card on Saturday. Also Bradford may not be world beaters but they have not lost in the last 6 games and have not conceded in 4 of those games. Would be possible I might like them at 7/2 away at Port Vale on Saturday though. See what tomorrow brings. I do think Oldham away at 100/30 with bet365 are decent value and price has gone out further than last night.
For the record done a lucky 15 20p cost of £3.00 tomorrow night Morecambe, Oldham, Halifax and Sutton last 2 from the national league all four are away all were at 11/4 or greater so 2 winners for a return. Nearly put Scnuthorpe in but in the end avoided the relegation teams.

The reason I don’t like Southend on Tuesday night is Dieng is suspended for his red card on Saturday. Also Bradford may not be world beaters but they have not lost in the last 6 games and have not conceded in 4 of those games. Would be possible I might like them at 7/2 away at Port Vale on Saturday though. See what tomorrow brings. I do think Oldham away at 100/30 with bet365 are decent value and price has gone out further than last night.
For the record done a lucky 15 20p cost of £3.00 tomorrow night Morecambe, Oldham, Halifax and Sutton last 2 from the national league all four are away all were at 11/4 or greater so 2 winners for a return. Nearly put Scnuthorpe in but in the end avoided the relegation teams.

Well some odd prices from the bookies for these matches. Do I take them on. Exeter v Morecambe 4/1 with skybet for the away win, Morecambe no mugs away from home, I would certainly be offering shorter price than that. Cheltenham v Oldham 3/1 with Bet365 on the away team, Cheltenham after the Lord Majors show as they say, Oldham better away record than at home. Not so sure about the 6 pointers above. Would like too think Scnuthorpe would build on there result from Saturday against Port Vale who look to have won the comical goal competition on Saturday, (3rd Walsall goal well worth a watch), also Stevenage might get something out of a Colchester team that appear not to like leaving Essex. Southend v Bradford I think will be a tight affair with Bradford hard to break down. Barrow could well beat a poor Grimsby side but not a game for my interest apart from our long term bet. Mansfield I hope will continue their upward push, Clough seems to have them on a roll.

Well that went Keith Hill’s way again, sure he’s having a nice Saturday night. Ian Evatt gets himself sent off, not exactly setting the example. Unfortunately no real surprises results wise and Bolton stay 17th in the league. Only a few days to wait for the next games and even though there are still over 20 games to go, there are a lot of teams below Bolton playing each other so we need a couple of wins from the lower position teams. Bolton go to the rejuvenated Mansfield under Nigel Clough who themselves are rapidly climbing the table. Bolton are now 10pts from the playoff positions and 7pts from the relegation line. Halfway through the transfer window and letting Taft join Scnuthorpe doesn’t look the best bit of business. Penny for some people’s thoughts on where this goes next, how long does the manager get. We don’t want a new manager bounce that’s for sure. As Perfect Storm has said February has a lot of very big games where Bolton play the reverse fixtures to the teams they beat in November, but that’s getting in front of things still 2 games in January to get past.

Well that went Keith Hill’s way again, sure he’s having a nice Saturday night. Ian Evatt gets himself sent off, not exactly setting the example. Unfortunately no real surprises results wise and Bolton stay 17th in the league. Only a few days to wait for the next games and even though there are still over 20 games to go, there are a lot of teams below Bolton playing each other so we need a couple of wins from the lower position teams. Bolton go to the rejuvenated Mansfield under Nigel Clough who themselves are rapidly climbing the table. Bolton are now 10pts from the playoff positions and 7pts from the relegation line. Halfway through the transfer window and letting Taft join Scnuthorpe doesn’t look the best bit of business. Penny for some people’s thoughts on where this goes next, how long does the manager get. We don’t want a new manager bounce that’s for sure. As Perfect Storm has said February has a lot of very big games where Bolton play the reverse fixtures to the teams they beat in November, but that’s getting in front of things still 2 games in January to get past.

Well Saturday has arrived, some big games again this week the Scnuthorpe v Grimsby early kick off is one off them. Previous game was 0 - 0 from memory, ideally Grimsby win for our bet, need them to pick up some points really, would not be surprised to see another tight draw though. 
Can not see Stevenage or Southend getting much today they both face difficult opponents. 
Tranmere v Bolton, we all know Tranmere won the reverse fixture 3 - 0, don’t really understand Tranmere being over 2/1 with Bet365 so will have to try that. Keith Hill will want his team to press on and capitalise on the good result from Tuesday night, obviously Bolton are better rested having not played Tuesday. Bolton are difficult to beat away from home, but think Tranmere might just edge it. 
Also like the look of Leyton Orient at home to Forest Green again at about 2/1, just going on the home advantage and they didn’t play midweek and Forest Green had to travel and lost to Tranmere. Think Morecambe will probably pick off Colchester but not for me at those odds.

Hello Seguros,
Well it is an Antepost thread decicated to League 2, admittedly to one team in League 2 - The Mighty Bolton Wanderers - and one bet in particular. But seeing as Bolton play each team twice, you seem to develop a knowledge and a quest for knowledge on most teams in the league. It’s where the thread was started and where the moderators allowed it to be based. I don’t know where else it could be, it certainly is not a private group or personnal quest.
Don’t think there were many contributors about league 2 until this came along, I have been drawn into it, it gives a good interest in these difficult times.
All the best with whatever you choose to analyse or back.

Hello Seguros,
Well it is an Antepost thread decicated to League 2, admittedly to one team in League 2 - The Mighty Bolton Wanderers - and one bet in particular. But seeing as Bolton play each team twice, you seem to develop a knowledge and a quest for knowledge on most teams in the league. It’s where the thread was started and where the moderators allowed it to be based. I don’t know where else it could be, it certainly is not a private group or personnal quest.
Don’t think there were many contributors about league 2 until this came along, I have been drawn into it, it gives a good interest in these difficult times.
All the best with whatever you choose to analyse or back.

Hello Seguros,
Well it is an Antepost thread decicated to League 2, admittedly to one team in League 2 - The Mighty Bolton Wanderers - and one bet in particular. But seeing as Bolton play each team twice, you seem to develop a knowledge and a quest for knowledge on most teams in the league. It’s where the thread was started and where the moderators allowed it to be based. I don’t know where else it could be, it certainly is not a private group or personnal quest.
Don’t think there were many contributors about league 2 until this came along, I have been drawn into it, it gives a good interest in these difficult times.
All the best with whatever you choose to analyse or back.

Actually finding it quicker to do on paper ......as I'm scoring each horse I.e ....8 ......I know the percentage for section 1 is 30 (.3 after dividing )....so I automatically just do the sum 8x.3 =2.4 in my head and write that down in section 1 .....saves loads of time later.....its only taking me 20 to 30 mins to rate a 14 runner race now using that 

One day the Asian punters might realise they shouldn't oppose Hungerford! Crazy prize on them and just proves yet again they are often clueless.

Brilliant stuff @Darran well done mate!!! Chorley surely have their names on the cup now!!!

Nice selections on this thread in general, well done @Labrador and @harry_rag also.
Keep up the good work lads!!!

Good Luck with Glynn, i too have a runner tomorrow in Take Your Time in the 1330 Wincanton as long as he has sorted his jumping errors at Chepstow out like Paul Nicholls has said he has at home fingers crossed he'll get the job done and in the very capable hands of Harry Skelton 

Not sure about the Accounts stuff, when they are due etc take your word for it. Can’t see how a Club like Bolton are not bleeding money though especially with a Hotel in tow.
Bolton were 80/1 a month ago now from what I can see 25/1 or 22/1 with the only firms betting on the market.
So bottom up Southend much improved over last month, ok lost last one to Orient but that’s no disgrace, probably will lose to Newport but they are not the ones where they need to get points. Home to Barrow next well winnable.
Grimsby I would be worried about them, no form to speak of, new manager, big January needed.
Stevenage seem to be going the right way, no game until 16th Jan?
Barrow, mini turn around having changed manager, still work to do but opportunities will come along I’m sure.
Scnuthorpe can’t work them out win ones you don’t expect lose ones you think they would win.
Mansfield seem to be on upward trend now with Clough in charge turn a few draws into wins think they will be ok.
Bradford see above comment re upward trend after change of Management.
Port Vale well what can you say one win in last 10, yes 6 - 3 against Bolton I would be worried for them.
Harrogate struggling in first season in league but well run club and would expect them to battle there way to survival.
Above Bolton 4 teams with negative goal difference but not form wise likely to drop like a stone to the foot of the table. So who are likely relegation candidates? All things being equal might want Grimsby on side, be worried for Scnuthorpe think Southend and Stevenage will both survive funnily enough. Port Vale and Bolton are just games away from being in difficult positions, with limited resources to get out of trouble.
 
 

That's a first for me, the Wunderers helped me burn £360 but the smell of the smoke was sweet enough to compensate for the loss of the £ notes. That's the 3rd Home defeat on the trot for the Trotters, the way they are going the club might not need to go into Admin.
Other than that, a couple of decent results from our Allies fighting a rear guard action against relegation. Mansfield beating Port Vale 4-0 where did that result come from and Stevenage beating S.cun.thorpe 3-1 that puts Stevenage just 6 points behind Bolton with a game in hand of them.
Every team down from Bolton in 15th slot looks vulnerable to say the least for relegation.
As for the fans feeling the cold, it's quite the opposite, they are FLAMING one another. Some of them known locally as "The Teachers Pets" will swallow anything Evatt says, others are white hot raging against the FV Punch and Judy no show. No wonder when someone is stoking the flames revealing how Ms Brittan loaned the Club £20 Million at 4% try getting 4% from Barclays.
The more you look at it the more it starts to look like a shell game.
I think the way to buy a Club is, you form a company, with yourself as the majority shareholder, say 60% then you personally loan the company £20 Million at 4% that's from £20 Million you borrow, if you can't find it at the bottom of yer handbag.
If you don't find the money in yer handbag you borrow £20 Million from Barclays, or the like, at say 2% to 3% and re-loan it at 4% pocketing the difference, say around £8,000 a week for your troubles, 8 grand a week might not sound a lot, but it adds up over the years.
The company that you set up, the one you own 60% of, buys a stadium and all that comes with it, then starts paying you off from the gate money, so far so good, as long as there is gate money...
Normally there wouldn't be much risk, because the money you loaned is secured against the value of the property that your company purchases.
But it ain't Normal times is it, if the turnstiles aren't clicking how does the Club you own pay you the interest on the money you borrowed to lend to the Club you own 60% or so of !!!
What should have been a very lucrative roll of the dice starts to come up with all the wrong numbers when you finish up with a goalkeeper who would struggle to catch a cold, a team made up of Lads & Dad's recruited by an ex-train driver who fancies himself as Head of Football Operations. Throw in a Manager who thinks he's in charge of Barcelona and it has all the hallmarks of a disaster of Titanic proportions, and that's before you throw Wu Flu into the mix.
A strategy cleverly thought out for normal times, but right now it starts to look like a house of cards. The Club has little / if any income so how does it pay the £20 Million loan off, if the loan can't be serviced someone somewhere along the debt chain will pull the plug.
The problem being, the assets that secured the loan may have dropped like a stone. The Club could go bust, if it does the assets pass to the loaner, they finish up with the assets, but the assets now don't cover the debt.
Seems to me that someone in the middle will feel the pinch, to say the least, but it looked like a clever move before the dice were rolled, must have looked like a way to print money at the time...
It's 10 out of 10 if you can follow the above, it took an Accountant half an hour to explain it to me how shell games like this are played...
 
                     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

All prices Bet365:
12.55 Ayr - 2pts win Ardera Cross @ 9/2
1.15 Sandown - 1pt e/w Doitforthevillage @ 14/1
1.50 Sandown - 1pt e/w Born Survivor @ 14/1
2.25 Sandown - 1pt e/w Tile Tapper @ 33/1
3.00 Sandown - 1pt e/w Valtor @ 17/2
3.35 Sandown - 1pt e/w Totterdown @ 9/1

Best wishes to everyone for Christmas and the New Year.
May it be a better one generally and a successful one from a punting perspective! 

Well said @StevieDay1983 and I must echo your sentiments regarding Punters Lounge and it's members.
A big thankyou from me to all the moderators and key contributors to the site.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

Hello everyone,
All of us here at Punters Lounge would just like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! We think we can all agree that this year has been a very difficult one for us all and, in particular, this forum community.
We had to say goodbye, in tragic circumstances, to two beloved individuals who played a major part in making this site what it is today. Site owner Paul Ross, aka Sir Puntalot, and Graham Sarson, aka BillyHills, will never be forgotten and their legacy will live on through this site and the people that both work here and post here.
As we enter a new year, we’d like to say thank you to all of you members who have helped to make this forum a haven for friendly chat, sharing tips, and a place for escapism during these dark days. It gives us hope that the coming year can offer more optimism, positivity, and exciting times. Activity on the forum is growing stronger every day and it’s a delight to see the many brilliant interactions between our members.
Nobody knows what the future holds with the coronavirus pandemic but it’s heart-warming to see that we have a community here that is full of kind, generous, humorous, and likeable members. It’s a forum we should all be proud to be involved in.
Here’s to every single one of you that visit here, post here, and contribute to making Punters Lounge the place that Paul and Graham always wanted it to become. We are looking forward to see what 2021 brings!

No doubt the Super Whites have some big lads in the team, Scott Davies @ 6ft isn't a midget, nor are is anyone in the back line for Tranmere, but that didn't help much in the drubbing they took at Exeter, add to that, far as I can see Scott Davies has failed to keep a clean sheet this season. As for the Keith Hill connection, on another day that might have got a few more Wunderers supporters out of bed and on their way to the Unibol, but not today.
"Bullish on Bolton" ? aye, well, that's a fair comment, but there's an art to betting, gawd help you is yer a Club Fan, you are sure they'll win every game, they are stood way too near the trees to see what they are looking at, maybe that explains why few fans actually bet on the games, they aren't as stupid as they look, chances are they learned the hard way. But the opposite is valid too, if there's a club you (seeing it's almost Christmas, I'll put this politely), if there's a club you aren't all that keen on (that often down to your perception of their fans) you like to see them get beat, and betting on whoever they play. That holds the same pitfalls, a bad strategy to bet with, so being a fan doesn't help, nor does (putting it politely again) not being a fan of a club.
The best ground to stand on is the middle ground, that's almost impossible to find because we all have our preferences, persuasions and prejudice, betting based on emotion rather than cold, clear, calculation is a reliable way to the workhouse. The more analytical we are, the better our chance of winning, we SHOULD know that, most of us don't, BUT, the Parasites do, they spend MILLIONS "weighing up" the odds, to the point where they now have what just a few years ago would have been called Super Computers running Algorithms hell bent on relieving us of our money.
S cun t horpe v Grimsby hey, who would have thought that except for Wu Flu doing the rounds that people would pay good money to watch them two play each other. I wouldn't like to pick the winner there, so I wish you good luck with it, I'll keep my eye on it for you.
As for Mansfield v Southend, I'm going against ALL that I've preached above, I have a soft spot for Southend, but today's bet on them is down to them grabbing 7 of the last 9 points they've contested, I'd like to see them grab 3 more this afternoon, partly because that would keep the pressure on the Wunderers for our relegation bet which by the way not one of the Parasites that I have accounts with will take another shilling off me on that bet, they keep listing the relegation odds, but won't lay me any more bets.
Back to the Wunderers, what's the difference between the Unibol Stadium and a cactus plant ????
On a Cactus plant the pricks are on the outside ?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2 winners in midweek which meant we saw a tiny profit. The Marine tip from Tuesday is now on Saturday so we already have one bet and I will be adding 4 more.
Chesterfield v Barnet
For obvious reasons I am not a big fan of Chesterfield at the moment given they have taken Gloucester's manager and two players (I am more gutted about the players especially Asante than Rowe), but they look to have a great chance to pick up 3 more points here. Amazingly Rowe has managed to keep two clean sheets already given he only got one in over a year at Gloucester and given how poor Barnet have been up front you would give them a fair chance of keeping another one here. Tuesday's goal against Sutton came from Carline's long throws which will cause havoc for defenders and is probably the main reason Rowe wanted him to leave Gloucester. There will be much tougher challenges to come for Chesterfield, but this should be 3 more points to Rowe's team.
Dagenham & Redbridge v Altrincham
I'm still not convinced by Dagenham and they have only won 3 games in the league with the last of them coming against Weymouth on Tuesday night. Given how badly Weymouth defended on Saturday against Halifax it wasn't a great surprise to see Dagenham score 3, but in general they have struggled for goals so far this season. Altrincham are in a really good run of form at the moment winning 4 of their last 5 including a good win against Wrexham 10 days in their last game. I think they have good chance to win this and certainly look a big price.
Ebbsfleet v Havant & Waterlooville
Havant going down to 10 men early on in Wednesday's game probably did for them against Slough, but they are a big price to beat Ebbsfleet. Both sides have only lost 2 games in the league this season, but I do think Ebbsfleet have had a pretty kind fixture list on the whole and their last game was on November 21st due to Covid which they lost to Tonbridge. You would imagine both teams will be hoping to be in the play-off picture, but I think Havant have the stronger side and they could easily take advantage of any rustiness in the Ebbsfleet camp. They have only played two away league games so far this season, but last season their away form was superb and it is something to bare in mind here. I can't really work out why the bookies have got them so far apart in the betting.
Alfreton v Chorley
I am going with Chorley again as they continue their rise up the table. Alfreton have only won once in their last 9 although a draw against Southport last time was a bit of an improvement. They have been leaking goals for fun though and Chorley ought to be good enough to win this one.
Marine v Hyde (Same preview as Tuesday night)
Having tipped up two of the 4 FA Cup 3rd round Non-League sides I am going to add Marine to the list. As their FA Cup run has showed they are a very strong side for a Step 4 team this season and could easily hold their own in Hyde's league. These two sides wont be playing league football until January at the earliest, but the FA is carrying on with the FA Trophy which is why this is being played. Marine were allowed to train during lockdown because they were still in the FA Cup and they then obviously have had the Havant game as well. That should be to their advantage and Hyde have only won 1 league game out of 6 so far this season. Quite why Marine are 13/5 for this I don't know and they can have more cup success.
Chesterfield 2.5pts @ 21/20 with Bet365
Altrincham 1pt @ 21/10 with Bet365
Havant & Waterlooville 1pt @ 23/10 with BetVictor
Chorley 2.5pts @ 11/10 with Betway
Marine 2pts @ 21/10 with Bet365 if you haven't backed them already after Tuesday