Not-so-handy Andy

Incredible, isn't it, that managers should already be finding themselves handed their P45s. First to go was Toon old boy Andy Thorn, given the boot by Coventry. The Sky Blues were unbeaten under Thorn, though they did surrender leads to record draws in their three league fixtures.

Thorn generally comes across as glum and unenthusiastic in interviews (hardly positive attributes in someone who is supposed to inspire), but you have to wonder why the board were prepared to stand by the man who took the club down to League One and allow him the summer to try reshaping the squad, only to sack him four games into the season. The new man (who, if the Coventry board have even a shred of common sense, won't be the Poison Dwarf) will inherit Thorn's squad with no opportunity to make adjustments and additions of his own until January.

Incidentally, a Thorn-less Coventry defeated Championship outfit Birmingham in the League Cup to put more pressure on Lee Clark. His side have suffered a poor start to the campaign, picking up just one point in the league since the Cup thrashing of Barnet. Clark was downcast after Saturday's loss at Watford, demanding better performances from those he's brought in, and while Darren Ambrose helped Peter Lovenkrands to give Blues the lead at the Ricoh, it wasn't enough and his mood certainly won't have improved.

Loven the first degree for Clarkie

Best of luck to Peter Lovenkrands, who has joined Birmingham following his departure from St James' Park. The Dane - Lee Clark's first signing since being appointed Blues manager - may now be 32 and lacking the sort of pace he had when marauding down the flanks at Rangers, but he retains a reasonable eye for goal and a canny footballing brain and so should still have plenty to offer at Championship level. And, if Raylor's to be believed, plenty to offer his new teammates from his washbag, too.

Another story on the BBC site to catch my eye today concerned Junior Hoilett, out of contract at Blackburn. Steve Kean is likely to be disappointed if he thinks the winger-cum-striker will stay on at Ewood Park, but if Hoilett is to leave then it's worth noting that compensation will be required due to his age. We were repeatedly linked with a move for the Canadian earlier in the year, but the trail has gone strangely cold over recent months. Might we perhaps now be hoping that the sale of Leon O'Best will help to curry favour if, as I anticipate, any move for Hoilett quickly descends into a bunfight between a clutch of rival clubs?

Oh Danny bye

A shame to see Danny Guthrie go, especially when the club would have preferred to retain him. It seems a mutually acceptable deal just couldn't be struck, so the former Bolton man has been released. A bit-part player for most of his Toon career, Guthrie nevertheless usually gave his all and certainly did himself justice when called upon during the last campaign, particularly when Mr T was away in Africa. Securing back-up (or competition) for the Ivory Coast enforcer and Dreamboat in the centre of our midfield is now even more imperative.

Also departing St James' Park are Alan Smith, Tamas Kadar, Ryan Donaldson and Peter Lovenkrands (the latter for the second time), plus a clutch of youngsters who never troubled the first-team squad.

Possible incomings include Coventry midfielder Gael Bigirimana. The 18-year-old - last season's Championship Apprentice of the Year - plays in the same position as Mr T and even has the same haircut. An astute signing, it would seem, but surely not lined up as a direct replacement should Mr T be poached by one of our rivals?

Maybe Mayuka?

It seems we may have developed a taste for African strikers. No sooner had Emmanuel Mayuka helped Zambia to a shock African Cup of Nations final victory over Mr T's Ivory Coast on Sunday, than his agent was claiming we've taken a shine to him, along with Arsenal, Fulham and a clutch of other clubs. He did his bit in the final but didn't impress me as much as midfielder Isaac Chansa and defender Stoppila Sunzu, who kept Didier Drogba quiet and then held his nerve to score the decisive penalty in the shoot-out.

Meanwhile, we're apparently hovering over the corpse of Bolton's season, waiting to pounce for midfielder Mark Davies if they're relegated. He's been one of the few bright sparks for the Trotters this campaign, and would be a handy alternative to Dreamboat in terms of providing creativity in central midfield without sacrificing a willingness to get stuck in.

One player who could well be leaving us is Peter Lovenkrands, reportedly a loan target for Cardiff. Haris Vuckic is already down there, of course - anyone else you want to borrow, Malkay?