The capital caretakers

Age: 58
Qualifications: A vastly experienced manager who began his career at Luton 25 years ago, he is enjoying his fourth spell in charge at White Hart Lane. Led Spurs to the FA Cup final in 1987.
Appointed: Always likely to be called upon after the sacking of Glenn Hoddle, who didn't enjoy the full support of his director of football.
Record: Went six games without defeat as a result of bolstering a previously fragile defence. Recent defeats to Bolton and Arsenal should not disguise that progress has been made.
Job prospects: Has the confidence of the board and the players but not seen as a long-term appointment. Likely to stay on for the rest of the season to give Tottenham time to secure their preferred candidate, Martin O'Neill.
He says: "Who knows the future, we don't know. We don't know whose name will be thrown up and who might want to come. So we don't know tomorrow. We only know today and there's no future in the past."
Fans' say: "Pleat's doing okay but shouldn't get it full-time. The club need him at boardroom level and if he got the job and it went wrong we could lose him all-together. We need fresh ideas and should go for an external candidate. O'Neill would be perfect" - Daniel Wynne, Tottenham Supporters' Trust.

Kit Symons (Crystal Palace)

Age: 32
Qualifications: Respected in the dressing room for his achievements in a well-travelled career, but lacks any experience of management. Only began studying for his coaching badge last Thursday.
Appointed: Symons was shocked to get the job after Steve Kember was sacked last week, having never considered being a manager.
Record: Too early to make a judgement after one game, but Saturday's 1-1 home draw against Preston was hardly an inspirational start. The lacklustre display suggests that little has changed and problems remain at Palace.
Job prospects: Chairman Simon Jordan is likely to look elsewhere, unless Symons emulates the immediate success of his close friend Chris Coleman at Fulham. Jordan is thought to favour an external candidate but some good results could change all that.
He says: "Getting the job hasn't weighed on my shoulders and I'll give it a real go. I can't get sacked because I haven't got the job yet and I can't go grey - I am already!"
Fans' say: "Last week Symons was one of the under-performing and overpaid Palace players but he has already made a claim for the manager's job. He may only have been chosen because he's here and is associated with manager of the moment Chris Coleman, but Palace fans hope he can lead us into a bright new dawn" - Laurie Dahl, Independent Crystal Palace website.

Martin Ling (Leyton Orient)

Age: 37
Qualifications: Guided Orient Under-19's to Football League Youth Alliance league and cup double in 2001 before being made assistant manager by Paul Brush.
Appointed: Made caretaker manager by chairman Barry Hearn following Brush's sacking in September. He won his first two games in charge and was then given the job until January.
Record: Orient have won five and drawn two of the nine games played under Ling, with the only blip being a 4-1 hammering by Dagenham & Redbridge in the LDV Vans Trophy.
Job Prospects: Hearn insists Orient must be challenging for the play-offs by Christmas and they are already climbing the table. Four league wins have taken the Os from second-bottom to the dizzy heights of 14th. If the improvement continues, Ling should get the job.
He says: "I am quietly pleased and I am confident I can stay on longer than two months. I don't know what's going on in the chairman's head, but I'm glad I've got the chance."
Fans' say: "There's still a sense that the fans want an experienced manager because of what's gone before, but Ling's position is becoming stronger. The performances haven't been great but he's got decent results. There's no hostility towards him and we wish him well" - Tom Davies, Leyton Orient Fans' Trust.

Dennis Wise (Millwall)

Age: 36
Qualifications: Often praised as an influential leader throughout a long and successful playing career, though not in Leicester. Made the most of his modest ability as a player and has shown signs of being able to maximise the potential of others.
Appointed: Given the job in difficult circumstances following the surprise sacking of Mark McGhee, the manager who brought him to the club.
Record: Was sent off four minutes into his debut as a player-manager, although that red card against Sheffield United was later rescinded. Since taking charge, the Lions have won two, drawn one and lost one, although that was their last game, a 3-1 defeat at Norwich.
Job prospects: Safe for at least 18 months after being given the post of player-manager last night until the end of next season. He has a good relationship with the chairman and is still close to his players.
He says: "I know what I want and I know what I need to find out before we can go any further. I have enjoyed it and the lads have responded and it is going very well."
Fans' say: "We're prepared to give Wise a chance. He's done pretty well so far and I don't think there'll be a problem. Millwall fans will get behind whoever is appointed" - Nick Bone, Millwall Independent Supporters Association.