09/03/2006

Rarely, if ever, can Newcastle and Sunderland have been under the control of a temporary ruler at the same time but, in Glenn Roeder and Kevin Ball, the pair currently boast short-term leaders while their respective boards vacillate over a long-term appointment.

While both clubs insist they will not be rushed into a decision, they could have inadvertently stumbled into a solution to their problems.

With each day that passes, the odds on Roeder and Ball remaining in place shorten. Despite a seemingly endless list of candidates, it would not be a surprise to see both shedding the 'caretaker' tag before the start of next season.

Roeder is still the less likely long-term appointment of the two, but the former Newcastle Academy coach could hardly have done any more to underline his credentials for the job.

Since replacing Graeme Souness at the start of last month, he has guided the Magpies to five wins in six games, steered them into the last eight of the FA Cup and resurrected hopes of a top-seven finish that had looked utterly impossible under his predecessor.

More importantly, he has also fostered a sense of unity and purpose that had evaporated in the latter stages of Souness' reign.

With Roeder at the helm, Newcastle look like an organised and committed unit capable of regaining their place in the upper echelons of the Premiership.

This weekend's trip to Old Trafford may yet burst the bubble but, despite the absence of the likes of Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer, Titus Bramble and Steven Taylor, the former centre-half has successfully accentuated the positives of the position he finds himself in. If nothing else, he has made the Newcastle job desirable again.

Ironically, that could count against him once the season draws to an end. The likes of Martin O'Neill, Sam Allardyce and even Sven Goran Eriksson are likely to be much more interested in a club revisiting its former glories than one scrapping ignominiously against the drop.

Freddy Shepherd's head has been turned by established names in the past but, if the experience of appointing Kenny Dalglish and Ruud Gullit has taught the Newcastle chairman anything, it should be that reputation is no substitute for results.

Roeder has achieved those and, as well as winning the instant respect of his players, the former West Ham boss has also won the support of the St James' Park faithful.

The chants that echoed around Tyneside last weekend were a better gauge of public opinion than any of the supposedly scientific surveys that have been carried out in the last month. Shepherd is nothing if not a populist and will be desperate to give the supporters what they want.

Whether Roeder agrees, of course, is a different question, but whereas he had previously spoken of not wanting the job, his protestations now come with a coyness and vagueness attached.

With Ball, there is no such confusion. Sunderland's caretaker would walk across the Wear to get a permanent position at the Stadium of Light and now has ten games to present his credentials.

His task is that much tougher as, having won just two Premiership games all season, the Black Cats are unlikely to follow Newcastle's lead by promptly winning three on the spin.

Ultimately, though, Ball will not be judged on results but on the extent to which he alters the prevailing pessimistic mood on Wearside.

If Ball is able to persuade the fans a promotion push is on the cards he will have achieved more than the board is entitled to expect.

His lack of managerial experience is an obvious concern, but it is not as if the Black Cats are going to be inundated by applications from World Cup winners and European legends.

With the players currently on their books, Sunderland will be entering the Championship as a well-equipped club in need of motivation, inspiration and organisation.

Ball is uniquely placed to provide the first two and, provided he surrounds himself with an able coaching staff, the third should not be out of the question either.

Crucially, his appointment would be immensely popular amongst the rank and file. No board can afford to simply bow to the demands of their fan base without question but, in the case of Bob Murray, building bridges should be uppermost on his list of priorities.

Ball, like Roeder, would bring acceptance and ability to the post. Is that a combination that either club can afford to ignore?

Half of Ireland will descend on Gloucestershire next week as jumps racing crowns its champions at the Cheltenham Festival.

The build-up has been dominated by a succession of high-profile absentees but, once the starter waves his flag on Tuesday, any doom and gloom will be forgotten as National Hunt's leading superstars thrill and enthral in equal measure.

All of the major races look completely wide open this year and even our resident racing expert, Colin Woods, was staying tight-lipped when quizzed last week.

The editor wasn't though, as he's the worst tipster in the world, I'll be taking him on when things get under way in five days time. If you're looking for a sure thing, try Ballytrim at 4-1 in the Champion Bumper on March 15.

After both Souness and Mick McCarthy were sacked immediately following a defeat at Manchester City, Steve McClaren had better not step into Steve Gibson's office on April 2. Middlesbrough's trip to the City of Manchester Stadium the preceding day could yet have equally devastating consequences!

Published: 09/03/2006