The Tenner Bet

Deputy Sports Editor

Saturday 12 May 2012

The Tenner Bet was about to kick off this week's column with the immortal phrase "crystal-ball gazing" when a piano suddenly fell from the sky and crushed the thought flat as if it was an extra in a Harold Lloyd movie.

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James Morgan

So, instead, let's just say we will be looking into the future (which is pretty much this column's raison d'etre but this time I really mean the future rather than merely a couple of hours from now).

Quite by chance, the other day, yours truly spotted odds for the European Championship. Nothing particularly odd about that, I hear you say, but what struck me was the name David Stockdale flagged up as one of the bets of the day. "David Stockdale," I thought while clicking on the link, half expecting to see outdated prices for a Labour win in the Bradford West by-election.Just as quickly, though, the thought occurred that Stockdale is the second-choice goalie for Fulham, but then I am a bit of a geek about these things. This made my intrigue greater immediately. What possible market could bookies dream up that would even offer a price on Stockdale? How many people have heard of David Stockdale, with 0 the 1/10 favourite and two a 100/1 outsider?The truth is this. Stockdale may well be the Fulham No.2 behind Mark Schwarzer but, in a damning comment on goalkeeping south of the border, he also happens to be the England No.3 or No.4 depending on who you listen to. He also happens to be a pretty good goalkeeper.The link gave a list of prices for England's Euro 2012 squad and is worth a look just to laugh hysterically at the inclusion of Jordan Henderson's name on it. At 25/1, I think I'd rather take my tenner and nail it to my forehead than place it on the Liverpool midfielder making Roy Hodgson's squad. There is certain to be fevered speculation about the outgoing West Bromwich Albion manager's first England squad, not least because one would expect there to be the odd curve ball or two.And that takes us back to Stockdale. The 26-year-old has had a slew of money lumped on to him in recent days to make the squad.Joe Hart is the favourite which says as much about England's dearth of goalkeepers as it does about his own ability, good that he is. Furthermore, Stockdale plays for Fulham and who used to manage Fulham? Roy Hodgson, of course.Not only that, he signed Stockdale for the Craven Cottage club in 2008 and upon doing so said this: "We are hopeful of great things from David. He is one of a number of highly rated young English keepers and will continue to develop his skills and realise his full potential at Fulham. I am confident he will be a valuable asset to the team in the future."At 7/4 and given a lack of credible cover, he looks an interesting bet as does Liverpool's Andy Carroll, who appears to have played himself into something approaching his best form at just the right time.Selections To Make England's Euro 2012 squad: David Stockdale (2/1, general), Andy Carroll (4/6, general)Double: 4.01/1Season's total - £72.13

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