Sack Race

Always one of the more fun aspects of the season; which panto villain will be sacked by Christmas? Last year it was Iain Dowie in the insane managerial merry-go-round which got Charlton relegated and hampered West Ham.

This year, there are some big players in the ineptitude stakes, if not the panto villain stakes (Sven is probably the closest to that).

Favourite: Chris Hutchings, Wigan
For: Looks out of his depth. Previous ineptitude at Bradford lasted 12 games. Has bought Bramble and Melchiot.
Against: Dave Richards has been insanely loyal to Paul Jewell, especially last season.

Second Favourite: Gareth Southgate, Middlesbrough
For: Dour performances last season, lack of character, selling/losing strikers and not replacing them. With any strikers.
Against: Another insanely loyal chairman in Steve Gibson, who back Bryan Robson through years of wasting his money

Outsider: Alan Curbishley, West Ham
For: Poor start? Has spent a lot of money on problematic players. Chairman has previous and high expectations.
Against: Could start winning if he gets his new players to gel.

Dark Horse: Sammy Lee, Bolton
For: Not Big Sam. Inability to coax wonders out of difficult players, couple with inexperience as a manager, and crippling expectations.
Against: Not Big Sam. Phil Gartside is a stubborn git, and won't want egg on his face after the public war of words with Big Sam.