I am not fully convinced that this is just a two way battle between Lampard and Wilder. We have gone 'left field' in the past, so nothing would surprise me. Although Dowling does not seem to be very 'adventurous' and according to some journalists he has not got a very big contact book. Interesting few weeks ahead, my first choice would be Lampard, did a good job at Derby and Chelsea to a point although i think that job came far too soon for him. Not a huge fan of Wilder to be honest, seems to lack a 'Plan B' and has made some very questionable transfer signings.
I'd not be against Appleton but i cant see him coning to us just yet.
He did OK, finished 6th and hardly pulled the trees up.
His appointment was for me a romantic one born out of the country's universal 'love' for him. Thus evolved 'Frank Lampard's Derby County'. Everyone wanted him to succeed and in a way he did, to the point he got the Chelsea job just like that. He started well but then tailed off, and was shown the door shortly after.
Lampard is a gamble. I have no doubt he would come to us with all good intentions. If he is going to remain in the management game he needs a 'win' on his record. There is no doubt he is well connected and may get some very decent loan signings to come to us, like he did at Derby. We will become 'Frank Lampard's West Bromwich Albion' and as with any appointment it
may work. Of the insipid list of names mentioned to date he would be my choice probably. To be honest I am struggling to think of anyone better; when we appointed Bilic we all thought we had got the golden ticket and that ended badly.
I don't really listen to the media speculation, a chimp can write most of the rubbish I have seen so far. They are on the whole very good at telling us the obvious and what we already know.
So reluctantly I fall on the side of Lampard because he is young, hopefully hungry and he has already had his dream job so that will not be a distraction.