And while we’re at it...

GLENN ROEDER, whose five managerial jobs include just one with a win rate above 31.65 per cent, and Adam Pearson, who presided over Hull City’s most recent relegation, have been named as part of a committee that will act in place of a sporting director at Sheffield Wednesday.

One presumes the new owners have seen the part played by a similar committee in leading Fulham’s gallant charge towards League One and Liverpool’s astute spending of the Luis Suarez windfall, and want a piece of that action. And who could blame them? PAULA RADCLIFFE will run her last London Marathon on Sunday. As with all athletes these days, sadly, her astonishing records will always provoke admiration in some, evidence-free cynicism in others. Yet in 2002, seven years before biological passports were introduced, Radcliffe was noisily requesting the IAAF test her more frequently and freeze her samples so they could be further analysed when the technology caught up. It would have been one hell of a bluff. IF NOTED Cockney Alan Pardew (below) had still been in charge at Newcastle United, earning points at the rate he did before departing for Crystal Palace, the club would be in 10th place. Not the most compelling season, but certainly passable given the present torpor. With John Carver at the helm — born in Cruddas Park, NE4, cut him he bleeds black and white, he’s one of our own, why-aye bonny lad, insert favoured cliche here — Newcastle have averaged 0.64 points per match which, played out through the season, would put them five points behind Burnley. If it was just about postcodes, vowel sounds and birth certificates, you know, anyone could do it.