The selection of a Maccabiah football manager is always a contentious issue, and it would be fair to say that the appointment of David Pollock has come as a surprise to some.
The reality is that whoever was named as successor to Lord Kestenbaum would have big boots to fill, especially after he came so close to gold in 2009.
But the facts speak for themselves. Pollock has led GB delegations to gold at the last two major events and with Bobby Fisher working alongside him, there's no doubt he'll earn the respect of the squad. I had my first proper chat with him this week and was impressed by what he had to say.
I'm also pleased to see Jamie Cole involved. Love him or loathe him, the bottom line is that he is one of the most successful managers in the history of Jewish football. He is a winner and I can see his partnership with Danny Jacobs paying dividends. They're a bit like chalk and cheese, but I can definitely see it working.
● Lee Cash is my Player of the Month for January. The Neasden hotshot has been in sensational form, scoring seven goals in three games, including a hat-trick against FC Team. He's also chipped in with three assists in a run that temporarily lifted the team to the top of the Premier Division, as well as march into the last eight of the Peter Morrison.
NWN joint-manager Darren Yarlett said: "People have been saying he is finished, but he's proved them wrong."
Oakwood are celebrating a win double. Ric Blank and Alex Schock take the title for top league managers, while Adam Levine is my star man in Division One. Hotshot Dan Baneth stole the show in Division Two. Camden's Nick Kagan said: "Dan turning in a series of performances that his idol Dennis Bergkamp would have been proud of."
Glenthorne B keeper Jordan Davidson (Division Three), Athletic Bilbaum Edward Green (Division Four), Lions Declan Green (Safe Hands) and Oakwood Jason Lindsay (top signing) are the other winners.
● Eli Baraty has left Catford & Bromley to try his luck at Temple Fortune. Cats joint-manager Adam Lewis said: "We wish him all the best, safe in the knowledge he'll most likely be back with us before we've even had time to notice he was gone."
● Athletico Finchley chairman Zach Margolin won the race to sign new centre back Ed Brafman with just an hour to spare before the deadline for Barry Goldstein Cup.
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