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of the World Cup's cowardly lion, Emile Heskey's career, they look doomed. Paul Jewell's resignation, followed by the swift coronation of his former deputy, Chris Hutchings, atleast showed a decisiveness on the part of Wigan's Chair, Dave Whelan. Jewell will be a tough act to follow. Jewell, a truly charismatic Scouser, found spending Dave Whelan's dosh difficult; persuading talented internationals or fine Premiership performers to graft for Wigan is still a hard sell. Hutchings has his work cut out. Wigan's squad needs more youth and finesse to survive. Surely those old farts, Matty Jackson and Arjan de Zeeuw, who together are 72-years-old, will have to be let go. A new central defense is desperately required. One of the few bright lights is the eccentrically ego-maniacal Henri Camara. The goofy Senegalese, especially side by side with Heskey, can be a true match-winner. Lee McCulloch is off to Rangers, and after the loss of Pascal Chimbonda's grace and power, Graham Kavanagh's calm demeanor and leadership, and Jimmy Bullard's guts and improvisation, the cupboard now looks bare. Football in the premiership is like 'Lord of the Flies,' and Hutchings' Wigan are certain to be installed by the bookies as relegation favorites.

Sheffield United's story is a sad tale. A sense of bitter injustice prevails at Bramall Lane, and not only because of West Ham United escaped by the hair of their chinny-chin-chin. After seven year's struggling for promotion from the Championship, Warnock committed professional suicide rather than face. No doubt, Sheffield United were not a bad team at all, while Wigan were dreadful. Their very much unheralded group of footballers competed bravely in the top flight. Mediocre journeymen, like Des Geary, Nicky Montgomery and Chris Morgan, absolutely overachieved. Their only truly great performer, Phil Jagielka, basically able to perform well in any position, and the gutsy Rob Hulse, will probably return to the Premiership with other clubs. The rest of Warnock's crew are best built for the Championship. Dreadful purchases of woefully mediocre players on the cheap, like Ade Akinbiyi, Geoff Horsfield, Chris Lucketti, Ahmed Fathi, Mamadou Seck and Luton Shelton, were what ultimately did Warnock in. Still, leaving behind what will surely be the strongest of Championship squads, will surely give Warnock's successor a temporary leg up.
Warnock and Jewell each seemed to define their club, pushing their players way beyond expectations. Pearce, of whom the most was expected, probably because of his flamboyant professionalism as a player, will be mourned by me the most. Pearce and Jewell will surely return to the Premiership soon. Warnock, too sensitive and nurturing toward his players to survive in a wicked world, might do well to coach elsewhere.

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