Ladies and Gentlemen, strap yourself into your saddles and get your eyes glued on the TV; the next round in the Post-Hockaday Stakes is about to be run. New front-runners have emerged over the weekend in what is assured to be an interesting race.

Odds quoted are from SkyBet and valid as of Sunday 31st August 22.10

Simon Grayson – English (preferred formation 4-4-2): current odds evens

Young colt Grayson, from Leeds out of Blackpool, has rapidly become the new ‘bookies’ favourite’ to recapture the vacant Leeds United managerial post. Over his managerial career he has the following %age returns: 42.6% wins, 29% draws and 28.4% losses.

Team Games goals p/g for goals p/g against points p/g
2012/14 Preston North End 77 1.42 0.92 1.71
2011/12 Huddersfield Town 49 1.35 1.55 1.39
2008/11 Leeds United 165 1.70 1.25 1.70
2006/08 Blackpool City 146 1.37 1.24 1.44

Giuseppe Sannino – Italian (preferred formation 3-5-2): current odds 3/1

Coming up fast on the outside and only a head behind currently-projected leader Grayson, is Italian Giuseppe Sannino. Over his managerial career he has the following %age returns: 36.2% wins, 30.5% draws and 33.5% losses.

Team Games goals p/g for goals p/g against points p/g
2013/– Watford FC 34 1.65 1.35 1.41
2013/13 Chievo Verona 13 0.69 1.38 0.69
2012/12 US Palermo 10 1.10 1.30 1.10
2011/12 Robur Siena 44 1.32 1.20 1.34
2008/11 AS Varese 1910 69 1.51. 1.12 1.61

Neil Aspin – English (preferred formation 4-4-2): current odds 16/1

Following in a couple of lengths behind Guiseppe ‘Italian Stallion’ Sannino is local favourite Neil Aspin. Currently employed ‘up road’ at Halifax Town, Aspin has edged out Gary Megson who has fallen to 33/1 from 20/1. Over his managerial career he has the following %age returns: 50.9% wins, 20% draws and 29.1% losses.

Team Games goals p/g for goals p/g against points p/g
2013/– Halifax Town FC 55 1.82 1.29 1.73

Other notable odds:

  • Neil Redfearn moves in to 3rd favourite position at 7/1
  • Rolando Maran falls to 16/1 from 11/10
  • Oscar Garciá falls slightly to 12/1 from 11/1
  • Steve Clark falls from 5/2 to 9/1
  • Tony Pulis remains unmoved at 18/1
  • Roberto di Matteo falls from 25/1 to 40/1
  • David Moyes drastically shortened odds 66/1 from 100/1

A shortened fiield but one that will probably change once the starting gate is raised and the runners and riders cross the finishing line. Whoever the winner, there’s sure to be some grumbling; it wouldn’t be Leeds United if it was all ‘agreement and plain-sailing’.