Under New management 2

Back in October we opened the debate of God vs. Money with the Vatican taking over Ancona and the equally international and potent Briatore and Ecclestone taking over QPR. Since then there has been a revolution at QPR with a series of eye-cacthing developments which have illustrated what makes Briatore a worldwide success in both the fields of fashion and Formula 1. Whilst QPR are still at the wrong end of Division 2 [sorry old habits] there is much to suggest that the goal of Champions league in 4 years is well within a compass that for too long was heading magnetically south.

But what of Ancona - has divine intervention been the path to the italian second flight?

Back in October Ancona were riding high in SerieC1-B which is a southern division of this third tier of the Italian football, and whilst the are still in the promotion running they are fifth in the and going through what might be termed a slump, having lost their last two games and drawn the three before that. In a league of 18, there isn't the same relentless battle of fixtures the Championship serves up. This leads to a much more consistent form based development of the league table, so 2 defeats have seen the "RossoBianci" drop out of the promotion places.

So how have the two clubs compared since October. Well Significantly and ironically QPR have employed an Italian coach. Luigi di Canio, a huge culture shock for all involved. Heck he can't speak English - imagine that. With a limited vocabulary and a good translator he has succeeded in creating a new football at Loftus Road something that the fully worded up Gregory and Waddock were unable to do. Whilst on the personnel front there has also been a dramatic influx of new blood at Loftus Road during the January window. Eleven new signings and an equal number of cancelled contracts and loan exits have left the 2007-8 team picture looking a bit sad and redundant. Ancona by contrast have continued with a largely unchanged squad and team - when your topping the league I'm guessing it ain't broke.

As for the new owners, Briatore and Ecclestone continue to turn up to most home games. With the F1 season beckoning I suspect their time and focus may understandably switch shortly. Whilst over in Italy, the Pope is yet to swell the mass ranks of the Ancona faithful, I'm guessing there's a problem, when games are mostly on a Sunday and the Pope is generally working.