Peer review reaps rewards for the Silver Fox

Our Champions League challenge may have gone up in smoke on Sunday (Paul's match report to come), but the awards just keep on coming for the Silver Fox. First he was named as the Premier League's manager of the year, and now he's scooped the LMA's annual prize - which is arguably more significant as it's a reflection of the respect and admiration of his peers. Credit to him, too, for modestly refusing to celebrate the plaudit as a personal triumph: "This award is not just for me. Everything we have achieved has been achieved as a result of an incredible team effort. The board, my coaching staff, backroom team, players and our magnificent supporters - they all play a crucial role and I thank every one of them".

One interesting footnote was the LMA Special Merit Award given to Lee Clark, our old boy currently out of work since being given the boot by Huddersfield. His old side reached the League 1 play-off final tonight, though MK Dons ran them very close in the end, one Alan Smith scoring an injury-time goal to set up a nervy finish.