Which new Premier League boss will succeed in December?

With the ‘Manager Merry-Go-Round’ in full flow, I thought now would be a good time to look at the prospects for the rest of 2007 for three clubs who are looking for a fresh start.
As you will all be looking for a few bargain players to add to your well-known stars in an attempt to win the £10,000 December Manager of the Month prize, I will have a look at Birmingham, Derby and Wigan’s December fixtures, and try to point out where points can be won at little cost…

Alex McLeish is expected to be appointed as the new Birmingham boss on Wednesday morning, after he resigned as Scotland coach this afternoon. Birmingham’s fixtures in December look like this:
Tottenham (A)
Newcastle (A)
Reading (H)
Bolton (A)
Middlesbrough (H)
Fulham (H)

After two tough away games, Birmingham will be looking to take 9 points from their three home games in December. ‘Big Eck’ will be looking to get his team fighting and full of passion. Unfortunately this may not provide fantasy managers with the cheap clean sheets that they crave, but it will provide attacking possibilities. If Birmingham are to stay up, they will need have a strike force firing on all cylinders. Olivier Kapo and Mikael Forssell are both Premier League quality, and they will need to show it in the coming weeks.
Key Men: Olivier Kapo, Mikael Forssell

Many bookmakers have stopped taking bets on Paul Ince being the next Derby manager, so we will roll with the assumption that he will be installed sooner rather than later. Derby’s December fixtures are as follows:
Sunderland (A)
Man United (A)
Middlesbrough (H)
Newcastle (A)
Liverpool (H)
Blackburn (H)

Like McLeish, Ince will want to instill passion and a will to win to the Derby dressing room. He will command instant respect, as he has been there and done it. His first task will be to stop the rot, and I think they should be able to come away from the Stadium of Light with something. Derby’s defence will be key for Ince, but he may well look to improve in the January sales. Robert Earnshaw must surely get a chance under the new boss, as he is the explosive player that Derby will need to kick-start their fight to avoid the drop.
Key Men: Robbie Earnshaw, Giles Barnes (if he stays)

Steve Bruce has finally taken over at Wigan, and he will be buoyed by the performance at the Emirates Stadium. At first glance, Wigan have avoided the top teams in December:
Man City (H)
Bolton (A)
Blackburn (H)
Fulham (A)
Newcastle (H)
Aston Villa (H)

However, there are no easy games for Wigan this month, and it is difficult to see where a win will come from. Bruce will look to steady a very leaky defence, which may mean another contract of Titus Bramble’s being cancelled! But seriously, Bruce will use all his defensive expertise to solidify the Latics’ backline, and hope to knick the odd goal in an attempt to get some valuable points in December. The returning Emile Heskey is a very welcome early Christmas present!
Key Men: Emile Heskey, Paul Scharner

Well, it looks like it is going to be a long December for some fans. Now it is up to you fantasy managers to decide who will perform in the lead-up to Christmas… rather you than me!

Good Luck!

Dave @ YTM HQ

Tags (click to view more!): Manager of the Month, Birmingham, Derby, Wigan, Alex McLeish, Olivier Kapo, Mikael Forssell, Premier League, Paul Ince, Stadium of Light, Robert Earnshaw, Giles Barnes, Steve Bruce, Emirates Stadium, Titus Bramble, Emile Heskey, Paul Scharner