Brighton, Norwich or West Brom: Where does Tim Sherwood fit best?

The Canaries’ cutting edge was markedly absent as a three-year stay in the Premier League came to an end under managerial novice Neil Adams. Delia Smith and other Norwich shareholders may be wary of appointing another inexperienced boss like Sherwood.

If they do take a punt on him, then addressing those issues in attack is top priority. Battering ram centre forward Grant Holt was never properly replaced, so Sherwood should be looking for a proven Championship goal-scorer to ensure the Canaries challenge for promotion at the first time of asking.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel might be better off at being sold for a loss, but retaining Gary Hooper, so prolific at Celtic, and finding a foil for him up top is essential for Sherwood. The jury is out on what the future holds for fellow Dutch flop Leroy Fer.

Keeping hold of Scotland winger Robert Snodgrass would also be a major task. He was one of the few Norwich names to emerge with a crumb of credit from a dismal campaign. Sherwood played 4-4-2 at Spurs, so width would definitely be part of his plans.

Brighton and Hove Albion – 11/10
The Seagulls have taken over from Cardiff as the Championship’s choke artists. Two play-off campaigns in a row have ended in semi-final failure. It proved too much for Oscar Garcia, who offered his resignation – and the Brighton board called his bluff by accepting it.

Attractive football at the Amex may now be something that could be sacrificed for promotion. Sherwood is the current favourite to take the job on at the south coast club and would be working to one simple, but tough brief – get Albion up into the Premier League.

This would be a challenge he should relish. How continental footballers, like right backs Bruno Saltor and Inigo Calderon, would react to a change from playing 4-3-3, may make or break Sherwood’s shot at getting Brighton back into the top-flight for the first time in over 30 years.

Polish stopper Tomasz Kuszczak, midfielder Andrea Orlandi and forward Will Hoskins have all been released in the wake of the two-legged defeat to Derby County. These are all names that would make the task of earning promotion easier if they were to remain at Albion.

What is encouraging is ex-England defender Matt Upson is in talks about a new deal, while winger Kazenga LuaLua has been offered a contract extension. Brighton need backup to Scotland striker Craig Mackail-Smith, who has just returned from a lengthy layoff. With the potential to come again, the Seagulls are Sherwood’s (and your) best bet.