Chesterfield’s SPL recruit Doyle set to shine in League 2
Published:Despite a last minute spurt of good form towards the end of last season, Chesterfield narrowly missed out on a play-off spot. But in the signing of Eoin Doyle from SPL side Hibernian, they have a man who can lead the line and bag a hatful as they seek redemption.
It is fair to say that a switch from regular football in Scotland’s top division to League Two is a drop in class. And after scoring 11 goals in 39 appearances for the Edinburgh side last season, Doyle looks a cracking price at 20/1 with Ladbrokes to claim the division’s Golden Boot.
The twenty five year-old Irishman previously worked with current Spireites boss Paul Cook during his spell with Sligo Rovers, in which he netted 38 times in three seasons. The manager described Doyle as “a hard working player, with great movement in the final third and he’ll score goals”, hinting that he expects his new signing to feature prominently in the side’s promotion push.
With the division looking wide open there are alternatives aplenty, with Portsmouth’s David Connolly heading the market at 12/1. But it has to be said, Connolly, like others prominent in the betting such as Jamie Cureton (16/1), David Kitson (20/1) and Patrick Agyemang (25/1) is reaching the twilight of his career. With this in mind, it is questionable as to whether players of their ilk will be permanent features throughout this long season.
Another outside bet at a big price is Newport County’s Aaron O’Connor at 33/1. The former Luton man is set to lead the line for the newly promoted side as they begin their quest for league survival. The striker has spent his career hovering around the upper echelons of non-league, scoring 19 times last season and will surely see this as his chance to make a name for himself in the Football League.
As the clubs prepare to get their season underway, the value in this market looks to be with two players that will probably be aiming to help their sides achieve very different targets in Doyle and O’Connor.
All odds and markets correct as of the date of publishing
