Signs are that Roy Hodgson is perilously close to being appointed Liverpool manager. Clearly all the better candidates are out of our price range. I can live with that. But what's scandalous is that the outsiders running the club would rather not pick from within (King Kenny, even Sammy Lee) to avoid eroding their own power.

Roy, why would you even want to come? You have a good thing going at Fulham, supported by a sympathetic owner and board. And if you're really ambitious, you would hold out for the soon-to-be vacant England job.