Better to get that experience early in your career and learn from it I think the point was more to do with the fact that he managed to blow a 14 point lead in that league, so just how we would he cope at a higher level Possibly. Or you could interpret it as everyone makes mistakes when they first start a job - how you learn from mistakes and setbacks is crucial to future success - and he seems to be succeeding now

Better to get that experience early in your career and learn from it

So why is he unlikely? Surely they should at least be talking to him?

Don't know about Dowie but transfer experience is, of course, another area where Hughes is unproven. On that point I think that Souness' major failure was in transfers - looking at the team now compared to when he came in the replacements are just not as good as the ones who've left. Megson's a possible but, be honest, if they announced him today would it excite you for our prospects? It's the same with people like Curbishley or Strachan - they'll (hopefully) keep you in the premiership as a low- to mid-table team but without ever challenging for even a top 5 finish. And that's where I think, realistically, we should be looking to finish. Mourinho proved last year that you don't need cash to be successful - and on a much bigger stage than the Premiership. So, that's the answer - let's find another Mourinho ;-)

Of the names that have been bandied around, sadly not many (which is why they are available of course). Dowie has done well but over a statistically insignificant time-frame. Moyes has stuggled at Everton. Discounting the perennial under-achievers (Strachan, Hoddle, Houllier etc) leaves people like George Graham (who does at least have a record of success but who has clearly been out of the game too long) Does make you wonder who were the realistic contenders among the 30-odd applications doesn't it? Levein? Newell? On balance I'd probably go for Dowie but more in hope than anticipation.

I don't think it matters who my choice would be if it's simply a case of pulling a name out of the hat. There needs to be a set of criteria that leads to a suitable candidate - things like track record would surely figure highly on that list. I'm just interested to see if anyone has applied such criteria to the clamour for Hughes

I'm not knocking Mark Hughes and I obviously hope he does well when / if he comes in but can anyone explain why he is the overwhelming favourite for the job? He's very inexperienced in the role and despite having had a couple of good results for Wales these were some time ago and were followed by 18 months of bad ones - a run which still continues. (And before anyone blames it on the quality of the Welsh team are they really that much poorer than the players he'd have at Ewood?). It all seems vaguely reminiscent of the clamour for Kidd. Wasn't he the players / fans choice too?