The firm, who supply odds for Southend United’s own betting service, ShrimpersBet, rank Bristol City’s summer signing Marcus Stewart as the 7-1 favourite to claim the honour, having been captured from Barclays Premiership newboys Sunderland in May. His team-mate, injury-prone ex-Leeds United and Black Cats forward Michael Bridges, is rated as 16-1 to be top scorer.
Eastwood, who equalled Leon Constantine’s achievements in bagging 24 goals during the 2004/5 season, is ranked alongside former Champions League talent Bridges, Yeovil Town’s penalty expert Phil Jevons, Oldham Athletic’s Chris Killeen and Bradford City’s Dean Windass at 16-1.
For the former Grays Athletic youngster, who only made the switch to Roots Hall permanent in November, days after his 21st birthday, to be associated with such company is a fine achievement. It is also one that befits the man who equalled Southend United’s post-War consecutive scoring run of seven games and fell just one short of the Blues record of eight, set by Billy Hick in the late 1920s.
Interestingly, Steve Tilson’s striking target Luke Beckett, now, like Killeen, at Boundary Park, is third favourite at 12-1, whilst another transfer rumour, Chris Greenacre of Tranmere Rovers, is 20-1. Pawel Abbott, the former Bury front man who scored the winner last time the Seasiders visited Huddersfield Town, is 10-1. Adam Boyd of Hartlepool United and David Johnson, of relegated giants Nottingham Forest, are also rated at 12-1.
United’s new signing, Shaun Goater, the former Bermudan international, has already been considered, and early indications place him at 25-1, despite him missing the first three games of the campaign through injury. Wayne Gray, Eastwood’s early-season strike partner, is outside of 100-1, despite his League One experience with Wimbledon.
The full lists of favourites is as follows:
Marcus Stewart (Bristol City) 7-1
Pawel Abbott (Huddersfield Town) 10-1
Luke Beckett (Oldham Athletic) 12-1
Adam Boyd (Hartlepool United) 12-1
David Johnson (Nottingham Forest) 12-1
Michael Bridges (Bristol City) 16-1
Freddy Eastwood (Southend United) 16-1
Phil Jevons (Yeovil Town) 16-1
Chris Killeen (Oldham Athletic) 16-1
Dean Windass (Bradford City) 16-1
Stephen Brooker (Bristol City) 20-1
Eugene Dadi (Tranmere Rovers) 20-1
Chris Dagnall (Tranmere Rovers) 20-1
Scott Dobie (Nottingham Forest) 20-1
Paul Hayes (Barnsley) 20-1
Paul Heffernan (Doncaster Rovers) 20-1
Jack Lester (Nottingham Forest) 20-1
Izale McLeod (Milton Keynes Dons) 20-1
Tony Thorpe (Swindon Town) 20-1
Lee Trundle (Swansea City) 20-1
Darren Byfield (Gillingham) 25-1
Danny Cadamarteri (Bradford City) 25-1
Matt Fryatt (Walsall) 25-1
Shaun Goater (Southend United) 25-1
Darius Henderson (Gillingham) 25-1
Daniel Nardiello (Barnsley) 25-1
Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Huddersfield Town) 25-1
28-1 Bar
On the same website, www.bet365.com, Southend are rated as 50-1 outsiders to win the League One title outright at the first attempt, with only Chesterfield (80-1) below them and Scunthorpe United, local rivals Colchester United and first day opponents Port Vale alongside them. It is a similar story with regards to promotion, with United at 16-1 to go up by any method. And, predictably, the Shrimpers at 15-8 joint second-favourites with the same sides to be relegated. Lets hope the bookies have got that one wrong!
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com