Steve Waggott to replace Peter Varney as CEO

Something of a pleasant surprise this announcement from the Valley. I'm a bit annoyed for not putting two and two together previously. I had never seriously considered Steve Waggott in the same breath as Sir Peter, although succession planning would probably have put him in with a shout.

I have known Steve Waggott to say hello to in the street or nod at in the pub for over ten years. Everyone who knows him seems to have only good things to report and he has a track record of success already at the Valley. This will be a big challenge for Steve but at least he knows the territory and will start with strong support from most of those around him on the Board. He takes over at a difficult time and has an incredibly hard act to follow, so we will need to be patient and give him a chance.

Looking ahead to the final games on Sunday, it's sqeuaky bum-time as Mr Ferguson likes to say. Not for us, of course, we did that weeks ago - we simply have to win to secure a top half of the table finish. Meanwhile, a massive area of low pressure is building just north of the M25 and I fear the visit of Aidy Boothroyds's Hornets to Blackpool might provoke a downpour. If Watford lose on Sunday they are likely to be overtaken by Palace, Wolves, Ipswich and/or Sheffield United and miss out on the play-offs. A draw might be enough but Palace and Watford could catch them on goal difference. Aidy Boothroyd might find a shoulder from Alan Pardew to cry on.

At the bottom-end, things look equally grim for Leicester City and Ian Holloway. Southampton have ground out an impressive 1-1 away point at West Brom (who are effectively promoted) this evening and moved level on points with the Foxes and have a home game to finish against Sheffield United. Not a foregone conclusion by any means but one I'd expect them to get something from. Goal difference is keeping Leicester off the trap-door but they will need something from their last game away at Stoke City, a side who will now be playing for the title! I have said it before, but if Leicester drop, it will be a salutary lesson for Milan Mandaric and Ian Holloway; Mandaric for his impatience and arrogance, and Holloway for his greed and haste is leaving Plymouth. I might be being a tad harsh on Holloway but Pilgrim fans won't disagree!