BinoBalls

Got to doff my cap to the Wasps. I obviously see Alloa as our main rivals but huge respect for what’s been achieved. Outstanding season, enjoy it and hopefully you’ll stay up now.

Behold my ability (*) to narrow down to correct scores to 1 of 2 possibilities * sample size = 1 game

Alloa are 7/2 some places to win at home to Ayr. Ayr have Shankland back but Alloa continue to be priced up like they're a lot worse than the highly competitive side they are. Alloa have made me a decent amount of money this season and I'm thinking of getting some light cosmetic surgery done with the proceeds. Ross County are 2/1 to win at Dunfermline. Frankly it's a certainty and anyone who disagrees is not invited to celebrate this victory on my yacht on the River Forth later tonight. Raith Rovers are good at home, but the bookies have shortened them too much today, and, similar to @jagfox99, I like the look of Forfar Draw No Bet at 10/3 with McBookie. Put those 3 in an acca, watch them all romp home, then join me for champagne, ching, and wall-to-wall flange at my place from, say, 6pm.

Morton are 11/5 with Hills at home to Dunfermline. Both sides won’t be too confident but Morton are above the Pars in the table and they’re at home, so I don’t understand why Dunfermline are Evens favourites. I’ve got £30 on Morton.

Have to say Alloa must feel invincible at the moment, some incredible results against established full time teams. St Mirren could be in for a shock next weekend if they aren’t switched on from the first minute.

Terry Christie — IQ of 140 Gordon Dalziel — IQ of my cocker spaniel.

The speculation would stop if anyone could show City’s income versus outgoings. I know they’re not exactly going bananas but it’s pretty clear they are spending more than they pull in, given their fanbase, stadium rental, and quality of player. For fans, it can be tempting to ignore the noise from “jealous” onlookers and rally round your own club against the haters. However Scottish football is littered with clubs who have ultimately failed after spending beyond their means. Personally I’d want to know the business model and make sure the club itself wasn’t at risk. If the club itself is being secretive then a little alarm bell should be ringing. Be nosey and find out. Because owners / managers / directors of football (!) come and go. The fans are the only constant. Enjoy the good times but make it your business to find out the club’s business.

“Due to my own failings” - I have little doubt you’re being too hard on yourself with that. Try not to blame yourself in your own mind over and over for stuff. If a friend had typed what you just did, you’d give them much, much less of a hard time than you give yourself. Us depressed people are world class at finding fault in themselves for things they’d forgive others for. Regading the dating thing — the Internet is the way forward in order to meet people. It’s mainstream and beats going to the pub hoping to bump into someone unless you’re in a wide social circle full of fresh single fillies. But while I understand the need to find a partner, remember that so, so many people out there are unhappy in their relationship / marriage and cannot get out (perhaps for financial reasons). I’m saying that to emphasise the rest of the world isn’t having the fun you probably imagine they are. Concentrate on making yourself happy as much as possible, AS WELL as trying to find someone to share the rest of your life with. (PS I’m totally unqualified to be giving advice but hopefully it helps)

This time of year definitely affects a vast (minority) of the population. There is so much expectation that you’re supposed to be happy. If you’re depressed then you pretty much can’t be happy, then you feel guilty and do the whole “what’s wrong with me” thing which is natural but also counter-productive. The dark nights, the forced social interactions with people / family you’d rather avoid, or being alone when you feel the rest of the world is happy, the anxiety-based hangovers, financial pressures, awful Christmas music that evokes memories of dreadful festive periods of yesteryear, and the guilt that you “should” be enjoying yourself all takes its toll. So many people are the same over Xmas and New Year, hang in there and remember most people are having nowhere near the level of fun you imagine they’re having. And by next week you won’t need to listen to John Lennon’s “So this is Christmas” tripe for another 11 months.

Little bit ahead of time but when it comes to value it very much pays to look earlier in the week. I noticed Berwick are 11/2 with bet365 to win away at Cowdenbeath on Saturday coming. Now Berwick are pretty poor but they shouldn’t be 11/2. I’d make them about 3/1 so this represents outstanding value. Come kick off I highly doubt they’ll still be 11/2. I also see Alloa are 13/2 with the same firm to win at Dunfermline. This price is unlikely to change too much but again it’s good value. I’d make Alloa maybe 9/2. They’re a damn good side and they’ve beaten QOS and Dundee United in their last 2 games. Dunfermline on top of their game should win but the Pars have thrown in more than their fair share of stinkers this season and I don’t think it would be shocking if Alloa won. If you’re feeling less adventurous then a handicap bet such as Alloa+1 at 13/8 could be worth a go, but the biggest % value is with the straight win at 13/2. (Cue Dunfermline winning 4-0)

Brechin were odds-on at the start of the week at home to Stenhousemuir, but you can now get them at 7/5 with Victor / McBookie, or 11/8 with William Hill. That’s cracking value as they should be about Evens. Anyone with a betfair exchange account can get 2.52 which is like 6/4 I recommend pawning your Mum’s jewellery and sticking it all on the home win. What could possibly go wrong???

What's the injury situation with Kevin Smith? Any word on when he's likely to be back?

Can I ask a stupid question: on what basis was your manager appointed? It seemed like a strange one at the time. Every day I read his comments he just comes across... I dunno, like a bit odd. But someone important saw something in him to give him the gig. Your best bet may be a 3 goal humping at Palmerston next week to force him out before the season is unsalvagable.

Yeah I've stuck £20 on Ayr who are now 2/1 or even 21/10 at bet365. I would make them slight favourites at home to Partick but the bookies seem to have them the other way around. Before the odds came out I estimated Clyde to be about 10/11, I was surprised at 4/7. I also like the look of Queen's Park at 3/1 away to Peterhead. QP fans are very positive about their displays in the league cup and Peterhead have been guff so far. I don't expect The Blue Toon will stay in the doldrums for too long but until they turn it around there could be value in opposing them while their confidence is low. I piled into Edinburgh City at 20/23 a couple of days ago but those odds are gone now. There has been several thousand bet on them on the betfair exchange which is a bit strange for a game at this level.

Someone called you a tosspot so you announce the club is going to die? Ok then chief.

I came on here precisely to say that. Anything 4/1 or above on Hamilton-Airdrie DRAW looks like value. I also got £10 matched at 11/1 on the betfair exchange on Airdrie to win. Elsewhere I like Ayr United at 4/1 or 9/2 to win at Partick Thistle. Even bigger at McBookie. Earlier in the week I stuck a big bet on Morton to beat Albion Rovers at 9/20 but they've been cut significantly since then so the value looks gone.

For football McBookie (also known as Bet Victor) tend to offer superior odds on UK football, they basically have a smaller margin / overround than the more famous bookies. Obviously they still chop and change their odds and won’t always have the best price, but in general they offer best value for money over the course of a season. That said, their phone app is a bit basic compared to the likes of bet365.

Maybe the P&B gambling collective piled on within minutes of my message. I got 16/1 earlier today. I've actually noticed odds getting cut super quick on Scottish matches lately. Last week Ayr were put up at 1/2 to win away at Albion Rovers. I thought I'll take a piece of that. Went for lunch first and came back an hour later to place bet and they were into 2/7. If you snooze you lose in this game.

For those of you who have a McBookie account, Peterhead are 16/1 to win at home to Dundee tomorrow night. Yes obviously Dundee should win, but 16/1 is far too big IMO so it's a decent value bet. Also with McBookie, Hamilton to win to nil away to Berwick is 5/4 with McBookie. Hamilton aren't great but Berwick have nothing up front, I forsee 0-2 or something of that ilk.

As you guys know Sean Dickson has talent but he blew phenomenally hot and cold for us. Indeed last season he was cold all season long. However on his game he can be excellent and he scored quite a lot of absolute belters for us a couple of seasons back. He has two great feet and his corner kicks are often whipped in with terrific bend. But I’m afraid he really barely kicked a ball last season. I’m not convinced he’ll cut it a league above but hopefully I’m wrong.

Who knows, Brogan could be a success but on the face of it, it seems like a rather strange appointment. Do Rovers have a budget squeeze at the moment? Wonder if they couldn’t afford someone who’s been in the senior game more recently. He came to Stirling as a player and was a player manager initially before hanging up the boots. He did very well with us, was a popular manager with the fans, before the team entered a prolonged spell of being honking at which point he was let go. I think he was a mixed bag at Arbroath and I’ve no idea how he’s got on at his various lower level jobs since.

While I wanted you to lose, fair play and congratulations to Alloa -- a club with few fans who consistently do very well and are a credit to all those involved. Also makes up for the heartache of losing out last season I guess. See you in season 2024/25, or whenever we finally get going again.

24 hour purple patch on football & horses

Premier League I don't understand why Kilmarnock are 11/4 (bet365) at home to Hibs. I'd have thought it would have been a tight affair. I'd probably make Killie 8/5 or something, so 11/4 looks a good shout to me. Championship Poor Brechin got promoted via the playoffs last year and have picked up a massive 4 points all season, losing all their away games. They're not even playing that badly which just goes to show that the championship is a tough gig for a part-time team and as such I cannot see past St Mirren -1 at 4/6 in places this weekend. I forsee a 3-0 home victory. League One Elsewhere Raith (10/11 Hills) have been wobbly away from home but their home record is amazing, only 2 points dropped all season. Arbroath are a very good team and they won 1-4 at Stranraer in midweek. After this result the bookies adjusted the odds for this weekend, as often happens when a team has a convincing win in midweek. So it won't be easy but I fancy Arbroath may be tired from their midweek exertions, whereas Rovers were rested. I think Raith 10/11 is too generous. League Two Edinburgh City (7/4 or 17/10) have improved as the season has gone on, while their opponents Elgin are pretty rank on the road. I would make Edinburgh the favourites; the bookies have it the other way around. And who knows best? Me of course.

Ive put £25 at Evens on Killie to beat Dundee tonight. William Hill would be as well paying out right now.