The Curse of Archie Knox

And so another Premier League manager is off to the Job Centre. This time it`s Blackburn boss Paul Ince, who has been give his P45 in time for Christmas. So much for the season of good will to all men.

Reasons will continue to be advanced for Ince`s failure. Tactical naivety, poor man management and the inability to organise his defence will be among them, as will the idea that the step up from League Two football was too much for him.

However, there`s a more sinister factor. It`s called Archie Knox. Sammy Lee appointed him as his number two at Bolton and lasted nine league games after that before being given the boot. Ince called on the services of the Scotsman and did only slightly better, surviving seventeen matches before having the chance to spend more time with his family.

Whoever takes over at Blackburn would do well to indulge in the pastime known as Axing Archie. Allowing him to remain is like having the Grim Reaper on the staff.