FAO Kevin Drinkell God: Paul Jewell's record

Surprisingly appointed midway through 97/8 to replace Chris Kamara (who'd been doing a good job there), Jewell impressed his Chairman so much that he was given a couple of million to spend that summer. You might compare it to the money Worthington was given in 2001: but the key in both cases is it was spent extremely wisely. Bradford, to the surprise of many, were up there all season in 98/9, clinching 2nd spot ahead of choking Ipswich with a gutsy 4-3 win at Molineux on the last day (could you imagine us winning at Wolves to go up? No, neither can I.)

Bradford were given no chance whatever to stay up the following season - but incredibly, they did it, beating Liverpool on the last day to finish 17th. Staggeringly, Geoffrey Richmond immediately told Jewell that he thought the manager had had a "very poor season", and if it wasn't for other directors, he'd have been sacked. Jewell, quite rightly, immediately quit: what more did he have to do? Meanwhile, Richmond went nuts, spending crazy amounts that summer, appointing a nomark and crony in Chris Hutchings (mainly because the Chairman quite fancied himself at picking the team), and ending up bottom by a distance the following season... and look where they are now. It all stems from Richmond's six weeks of madness - and totally vindicates Jewell too.

Then, admittedly, he got it very wrong at Hillsbrorough. Jewell wanted another job straight after Bradford, and obviously, Wednesday are a seriously big club. But there'd been a smell of death there for years, one PJ couldn't turn around - but that only puts him on a par with all but one of the other managers they've had since 1993 or so. Needing to revive his reputation, Jewell then took over a Wigan side struggling in what we'd now call League One - but immediately transformed them, achieving a runaway championship the following year, and two seasons later, beating a choking Ipswich to 2nd spot.

Then, not only did he keep Wigan up, but had them comfortably mid-table and knocked out Arsenal en route to the Carling Cup Final; and then, in what was always going to be a much tougher second season (Wigan were now a known quantity, top players wouldn't join such a small club, and attendances remained absolutely pathetic), he still managed to clinch survival by bravely winning at Bramall Lane and condemning Warnock's lot instead. Wisely, knowing they were on the slippery slope, and having suffered terribly over the previous 6 months, Jewell then left the club - and if you ask me, a much less pressurised Prem job in the North West is what he'll be after: which means Blackburn when Hughes leaves. Jewell is a damn fine manager though, make no mistake about it - and I'd be doing cartwheels if he came here (not that it'll happen, though).

Posted By: thebigfeller, Oct 24, 14:41:12