Division 2 - Manager Power Ranking

Following on from the TFF Blog post (Division 1- Manager Power Ranking) a topic of managers and sackings after the end of season 3, we take a further look into all 20 teams and managers in Division Two of TFF.

We focus on the promise land of Division one, the dream every manager harbours. Who may end up taking the leap from Division two to Division one ?

Again we've ranked the 20 teams on expectation, squad building and resources, the managers time and influence at the club, previous standing, and how much they have impressed.

As we compose this list it should be taken into account that no one from division two had to publicly make targets. At the current time in writing this i am aware of two manager's from this Division who have been brave enough to set themselves targets. Those managers targets and current league standings will effect their power ranking - Again it should be understood sacking's are certainly not required in Division two.

For the purpose of Division two while touching upon sackings the Power Rankings will have a bigger focus on managerial promotion's rather then sackings. With Promotion a few things are considered Squad building is taken into account more, while results are always king Rankings will be decided on a mixture of both. In some cases the state of a squad may out weigh the results and vise versa.

This Power Ranking has been made for fun (Sackings shouldn't be expected) and while managers have turned down Job opportunity's its still for fun.

N/A Derby

At the time of writing this Michael Bowes has parted company with Derby County. Let's Look back on Michael's time with Derby.

Brave enough to set himself a target at Derby and struggling to meet it the ex Derby boss was vocal about his future should Derby fail to live up to his expectations.

An impressive 79 games at the club Bowes leaves with a respected squad in place for the next manager to take on. While Derby wouldn't have featured too far in the power rankings due to the bravery of target they certainly would have held a mid-ranking position. Bowes is certainly a hard act to follow. It does however represent a brilliant opportunity for someone to use this club as a building block for their own managerial career.

19-16th

19. Nottingham Forest

Someone had to start here, and this is where we start with Nottingham Forest. Some wont be surprised with Phillip Cockerill's placement here. Taking the club on the 20th Apr this year Phillip has led Forest for just 28 games. But we all know football has been less forgiving and given out less time then that.

Some argued that the current manager was undeserving of the job making the jump from Division 4, a division Phillip found himself in after a relegation from Division 3 in TFF's first ever season. Failure to bounce back to division 3 the following season and then a move to division 2 left some scratching their heads. Forest where once one game from the promised land of Division 1 losing in a play-off final to Leeds in season 1, now they are fighting for their Division 2 lives. Perhaps not all Phillip's doing with only 28 games managed ?

18. Preston North End

Preston come in 19th... Matthew Pill again hasn't been with Preston for a long period of time (33 games). But lets look into this further. Joining on the 23rd March this year Matthew would have been in the Preston dugout for the back end of season 2 in division 2.

(Pre-Season for season 3 started 17th April) Preston amazingly avoided the drop to division 3 last season thanks to goals scored. With points total and goal difference being the same as Rotherham. Preston losing their last 5 games of that season. Matthew's Preston now look doomed with 12 points on the table 2 wins in 26 and 10 points off safety. Its fair to say no immediate nor longer term impact seem's to be or have been made.

17. Sunderland

A funny old club Sunderland, what can be said about them ? Well Sunderland started life in TFF in Division 1 and finished in a respectable 9th place thanks to Jay Jones. In came Nick Ford Sunderland mid-table in season two the rest is history. A Shield win was achieved during Nick's time in charge but how far dose it stretch ?

Sunderland's expectation's were clear and obvious at the start of season 3 - promotion. With a squad worth 220+ Million the exception was justified, Sunderland having finished 9th once now find themselves 11th in division 2 with the realistic chances of a play-off spot looking very very unlikely. A Shield win with Sunderland and sitting top 2 at this stage in the season and Nick's stock would be so much higher. Underachievement in division 2 is perhaps more costly then in any other division. Nick will always have his Shield win but a move downwards looks more likely here. Unless Sunderland are to be promoted in season 4. That Shield win adds nothing to this managers stock now it can be said.

16. Gillingham

Now unlike Division 1's Power Ranking where managers at their clubs for less game time were placed higher up the Ranking this is different. Due to sacking's not being upheld for Division 2 this Ranking is focused on managerial promotion so you guessed it, less time at a club will go against you here. Gillingham would have been top of this list 4 games ago !

Phill Walters has a job on his hands here now. Gillingham's recent success landing their old manager into one of TTF's biggest jobs, if Phill is to be considered for a job half as good then indeed Gillingham will indeed be flying high. However with just 3 games in and a ever changing landscape in Division 2 some time may have passed before we see Phill be a serious contender for bigger things.

15-12

15. Leyton Orient

Again Leyton and new boss Gordon 'Gino' Kinnear find themselves so low on the power ranking through no fault of their own. With just the 9 games in charge similar to Gillingham you'd imagine some time will need to have passed before a opportunity comes a knocking.

Gordon's biggest challenge here is what he actually has to work with. Along with Wimbledon they are rock bottom in terms of resources the manager has at his disposal a cool 44m.

If you find Gordon in contention for a job in the future then you can bet the work he has done with Leyton is nothing short of an outstanding job.

14. Middlesbrough

One of the nicest jobs in Division two and TFF as a whole, we're being fair when we say Middlesbrough's original manager won't be missed and certainly wont be a hard act to follow.

Jonny O'connor has been present now for 10 games and Middlesbrough represent a excellent chance for Jonny to move up to Division 1 either with or without the club he now manages. Good gates and the ratings to build on for Division two.

13. Barnsley

Barnsely feature 13th here... While their squad looks less attractive then other Division 2 sides Mick certainly has put the effort into his hometown club. One of the main reasons for their 14th place ranking is would Mick ever want to leave his boy hood club ? Repeatedly commenting on his loyalty for the club and stating he doesn't see himself anywhere else.

Barnsley have had mix fortunes in Division 2 - Season 1 finishing 17th and avoiding relegation by a couple of points. Season 2 is where Mick's stock really took off a surprise season which saw Barnsley in contention for a play-off battle, alas it didn't fully materialise however it didn't go unnoticed. Barnsley sit in a conformable 15th place currently not in any immediate danger of being sucked into a relegation scrap. Consistency a issue here and if Mick ever wishes to try the grass on the other side that issue will need addressing.

12. Wimbledon

Wimbledon one of TFF's 8 wonder's. I won't lie these have been the hardest placement they could be way back in 16th-13th BUT results have to count for something.

How are they doing what they are doing ?.. Runners up and promotion into Division 3 in season one and then Champions and promotion into Division 2 in season two. Now sitting 4th in Division 2 with the opportunity of 3 back to back promotions taking a club from Division 4 into Division one in 4 seasons

(I checked and you can't do it faster then that)

So it beg's the question why aren't people raving about this guy and throwing him into every job opening and why's his power ranking not higher?

Links to previous managers at Hull and Brentford have done this man no good. Some will point to his methods of getting Wimbledon to where they currently are, his squad is certainly one you'd not want to reward. Wimbledon could have topped this list results wise but we feel there's just things holding this fella back in terms of a managerial promotion.

11-9

11. Brentford

It can be argued that anyone really 12th or above could now have a shout at bring considered for a move on up so lets get down to it.

Brentford feature 12th in the power rankings and here's why... Relegation from Division 1 back into Division 2 in season two was largely expected. Brentford were in no fit state to last the course of a Division 1 season even with a 50m investment. Doc having taken the mantel from Ratz however pulled of a sterling job in at least getting the club competitive. Now back into Division 2 and not quite the powerhouses of Hull or Sunderland coming down with them what could be expected ?

A fairly decent squad has been put together and yes that 50m investment helped but its a far cry from where the team was just last season. Having a relegation on your CV hurts you but its the work that is put in after, that truly speaks volumes (Sunderland yes)

10. Huddersfield

Pavel Levski has spent a impressive 84 games in charge of Huddersfeild. While building a pretty impressive squad with the likes of 89 rated Lanzini and 91 rated Moreno and having a total value of 135m is impressive and to some would merit consideration. We say it's the results that are hampering Pavel's progression.

Huddersfield finished a respectable 11th Season 1. However its worth nothing Noisy managed the club for 28 of those games. Since then Huddersfield have had two seasons of relegation battles - finished 14th (3 points from relegation) and Currently now sit 18th.

Pavel's impressive work had Huddersfield ranked the 11th most valuable club in Division 2 however results aren't reflecting that good work in the market.

9. Brighton

Division two is causing me headache ! Why do Brighton find themselves here in the Power Rankings ?

Dave 'make ya' has been down by the seaside for a impressive 90 games now and has one of Division 2's finest squads. However much like Huddersfield results are proving costly.

Dave again has assembled a squad that wouldn't look totally out of place in Division 1 but there is the issue. A club ranked 7th and closer to the likes of Swansea, Sheffield Wed and Hull in terms of value find themselves 19th in the table. Coupled with last season's 15th place finish (Finishing 1 point and a one goal better off then 18th) you wonder even with the good build would a potential division one club find themselves struggling with Dave as manager ?

8-5

8. Birmingham

Some will or might wonder why Birmingham find themselves in the top 10... But we don't do favourites here ! Let's explore...

While the squad doesn't look as attractive as Brighton's or Huddersfield's for example we rank Birmingham higher thanks to Andrew Lane's consistency.

Season 1 a campaign that saw the Blues occupy a play-off spot right until it mattered. Finishing 7th with goal difference keeping them out a shot of promotion. Season 2 Birmingham again impressed finishing a respectable 8th having made attempts at times to crack the top 6. While this season is proving to be a little difficult as they currently sit 16th and in a relegation battle. Andrew's stock has probably been hit because of form this season, however two seasons of solid results means 9th is fair.

7. Norwich

Breaking with previous rankings and time spent at the club Norwich and Kristaps find themselves in good company even with just 30 games having been in the dugout.

Kristaps stock was high to begin with after a impressive run at Northampton landed him the Norwich gig, although a play-off spot now looks unlikely for the boys in yellow. Kristaps has already had a effect on the side a impressive and sustainable side is now beginning to take shape with Kristaps in charge you just fancy them to improve on this season and to be sniffing around the top 6.

6. Swansea

The top 6 ! each of these managers either has already been touted for a bigger job or at least with possible promotion on the card's this season could find themselves up there anyway.

Since coming into Swansea Ryan Shaw has had a calming effect... Breaking the 4th wall here the Players seem to have responded to not being called a Cun* every training session ! Ryan has got Swansea exactly where they should be in a promotion fight of some kinds last season's 7th place had to be bettered and currently its being done. If Swansea can return to Division one Ryan's stock will be at a all time high.

5. Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday and Nick just miss out on the top 4 in these power rankings.. Now in charge for 50 games Nick can set his sights on over taking ex manager Johnny McKenna's 63.

Nick will be pleased to see how Sheffield's previous manager managed the jump to the big time and could be thinking along the same lines. Wednesday has thrived under Nick since his arrival, finishing strong in the play-offs unfortunately having to have faced powerhouse Aston Villa. This season has been no different however Wednesday sitting 5th just where they ended up last season. Nick has proven he can lead successful campaigns in Sheffield, and a promotion this season will make him a name established Division 1 club's should be tracking.

4-1

4. QPR

QPR enter the power ranking 4th and should be seriously fending of bigger side's advances for their manager Dario. So why are QPR 4th ?

Dario has assembled a team that probbaly could hold their own in Division one if they were promoted tomorrow, QPR are now worth a staggering 224m which makes QPR more attractive then at least 4/5 sides already in Division 1.

Dario could have QPR already there a play-off final lost last season to Aston Villa heartbreaking. 5 point's of the last remaining play-off place means everything is still up for grabs, regardless if QPR end up playing Division 1 football next season manager Dario may just find himself there anyway with or without QPR.

3. Blackburn

What a couple of seasons for Blackburn and their manager Keith who has now held the job for 77 games masterminding their promotion into Division 2 last season. It's a popular opinion to consider Division 2 TFF's hardest division teams that go down don't always come back up and last season's contenders may well be contenders at very different ends of the table.

Blackburn sit 3rd and closer to the auto's then to the last play-off place and it says wonders about what's happening there with a modest squad. Blackburn could well find themselves in Division one regardless and Keith's stock will be high with back to back promotions not to mention the possibility of mastering Division 2 at the first time of asking.

Blackburn pipped QPR here and its fine margins. Keith's promotion compared to Dario's ever so close play-off final loss the difference here.

2. Hull

Hull fall just short of the summit of the power rankings and probably could have had top spot if this wright up was produced before the Man City shortlist.

Hull coming down had all the expectation on them similar to Sunderland and look how both apples have fallen from that tree.

Hull sit 1st and with breathing room over 3rd placed Blackburn, not only that but the squad Dom has produced from the one he picked up Season 2 turn 1 is nothing short of masterful dealings. Dom took relegation in all the right ways, building for something which could, and now looks like will make Hull a big player to come in TFF. Dom's made the perfect relegation blueprint on how to make the most of it. (Take notice West Brom). The Squads capable of Division one safety next season, Dom's stock will only get higher the better Hull do i feel.

1. Ipswich Town

Welcome Ipswich Town and Hugo to the summit of the power rankings. If this needs to be justified then lets do so now.

Ipswich are a prime example of how you grind and progress up the league, Hugo having taken Town from day one with 112 games under his belt has only bettered his achievements season after season.

With 13th and 11th place finishes anyone outside of Ipswich will be forgiven if they weren't excited about the future and boy has the future arrived. Only Hull sit higher in the table currently and while Ipswich aren't out of the woods yet in terms of security and automatic promotion this season has been a eye opener for many.

Ipswich largely find themselves here because of the recent Man City shortlist in where Hugo made the cut, to be considered for one of TTF's top job's should mean you're flying high in the managerial promotion game and this power ranking is focused on exactly that. While Hugo turned down the opportunity and looks set to remain on at Ipswich he tops our list. Ipswich have made some recent shrewd signings which will only solidify them in Division 2 or better yet Division 1 ?

#PowerRanking #Division2