With more than 400 matches as a permanent manager in the Football League behind him, few are equipped to examine the competition like Michael Appleton.
The Manchester United academy product – once given the famous ‘hairdryer’ treatment by Sir Alex Ferguson for accepting the wrong job – has been in the game since the early 1990s but is as excited as anyone as the season approaches. Sheffield Wednesday face Southampton on Friday in the Championship opener to start the 10-month marathon again.
Appleton is keen to get back into the dugout after leaving Blackpool in January and remains deeply involved in football.