Bedford to Bedford
Tom Bedford has made a very ambitious decision to move to Championship side Bedford Blues ahead of next season.
There were rumours circulating around rugby forums that the former Exeter winger may have been on the way back to his old club who have only just been promoted into the Premiership.
Therefore, this move will baffle many because it seems very strange that a good player would not try and sign for the best possible club at his disposal ahead of a very exciting and anticipated new season.
Bedford Blues fans and members of the club will all have big smiles on their faces because they have brought in a player who can do very well at the club if he stays fit. There are many positives and negatives to Bedford's game but it seems he has decided to go for a much more difficult and romantic challenge.
Positives
Bedford's biggest positive is his pace and creativity. These are two qualities, which will make any winger in the Championship a very popular player and they are also qualities that mean he could score a lot of points during the course of next season.
Experience is everything in the lower leagues because players depend on being able to use it to their advantage. Team Bedford can use Bedford as a way to guide the more unpredictable members of the team through hard times in order to create something more positive for the side.
He seems to be a player intent on a challenge and his move to Bedford will be considered by many as an unwise one. However, he would not have joined the club if they had a poor set-up, a poor playing squad and no ambition at all to get into the big time of Premiership rugby.
Negatives
The problems for this player are numerous. He may find it very frustrating at times that players in the Bedford Blues team cannot consistently produce the sort of form that he may expect. They may not be on the same level as the winger, which will mean they cannot read his attacking plays and runs.
He's also got to stay fit. This is very important for both himself and the club. If he stays fit then he will be the main man of the side and should score the majority of the points, which would take the club up, if they go up. However, if he gets injured then he will not be able to have any influence and he may find it very frustrating looking on from the side.
He's got to be careful about the way that he blends in at the club. Many will expect someone with a big reputation and a solid past to carry around a big ego. This could upset a few of the other Bedford Blues players and may mean that squad harmony is broken. It's imperative this does not happen or the club can wave goodbye to any promotion ambitions they have next year.
Betting Advice
There are one or two very strong sides in the Championship who will be in a better position to go for promotion next season. This means you should only part with a small amount if you want to back the Bedford Blues to get into the Premiership.
It also means that you are better off just backing Bedford the player next season. He should score a lot of points and tries and you should utilise his dominance and quality in the matches he plays at his new club, because this is the most obvious way that you will make any cash.
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