Intriguing news from the Potteries.

Micky Adams, a late applicant according to the Beeb, is one of six names on the shortlist for the vacant  job at Port Vale.

Adams, of course, began his managerial career at Craven Cottage – first saving Fulham from dropping out of league football altogether when he took over from Ian Branfoot and then rehsaping the team as they surged to promotion the following year. He also won League Two – as it now horribly called – with Brighton in 2001. After their relegation from the Premiership, Adams guided Leicester back to the top flight at the first attempt.

He has been out of work since ending an unhappy return to Brighton earlier this season. Looking at the other names, I’d make Micky the sensible choice – but then I supposed I’m biased: I felt his sacking eight games into the new season after Al-Fayed’s arrival was unjustified. His record at Fulham was very impressive, especially when you consider that most of it was done when he was – in his words – ‘shopping at Woolworths and not Harrods’.