Top of the class...or could do better?

IT'S that time of year again when GCSE and A-Level results are in the headlines and kids are preparing to go back to school, so forgive us for harking back to those dim and distant classroom days.

Martin O'Neill and his fellow students of football management have been given an extended deadline to complete their summer homework with an extra day of the transfer window.

Not that the Villa Park principal will welcome the extension, despite today's suggestions that his head boy will not be graduating to Anfield Comprehensive after all.

Anyway, the educated O'Neill has already earned 'swot' status because his own results have been pretty near perfect, considering the under-achieving class of 2006 he inherited.

So, donning headmaster Martin's tweed-jacket with leather elbow patches for a moment, what grades do the star pupils he has brought to Bodymoor High during the past two years deserve?

Leaving aside the latest intake of football club first years Brad F, Brad G, Carlos, Luke, Nicky and Steve, let's take a glance at the marks of Ashley, Curtis, John, Marlon, Moustapha, Stiliyan, Wayne and Zat.

Here's the grades I believe they deserve and I've included school reports for the first couple. But we'd love to hear what you think.

Are they fair and what reports would you give O'Neill's signings so far???

Ashley Young A+
Top of the class. Despite looking like he is only eight-years-old, Ashley has excelled with the seniors and is always helping Martin and John achieve their goals. It is only a matter of time before he has an extra two lions on his cap and blazer.

Curtis Davies B+
Having missed the end of last term by being absent with a sicknote from his mum, Curtis is starting to answer questions about his ability. He has already proved why we were so willing to fund his scholarship from the school down the road.

John Carew B
Nigel Reo-Coker C+
Zat Knight C
Moustapha Salifou C
Marlon Harewood C-
Wayne Routledge D+
Stiliyan Petrov D+