Chris Sutton has taken a microscope to the football pyramid and picked out his five managers of the season so far - but some big names have missed out.
The former Premier League winner picked at least one manager from each of the top four divisions and only had space for two current top-flight bosses.
One of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's old coaching troupe from Manchester United made the cut, as well as the son of a Nottingham Forest and Derby County legend.
Ian Ladyman was surprised by one particular omission as Sutton revealed his picks on It's All Kicking Off, Mail Sport's football podcast.
Here are Sutton's selections.
Number five - Nigel Clough, Mansfield
Sutton's verdict: 'They're just behind moneybags Stockport in League Two but he's actually carved out a decent managerial career for himself. They're flying this season.
'Of course his dad was Brian Clough, one of the all-time greats, but well done to Nigel Clough.'
Number four - John Mousinho, Portsmouth
Sutton's verdict: Portsmouth are a club with a huge fanbase and great expectations. He took over a tricky situation. They are top of League One. I'm pleased for him, decent guy, and hopefully Portsmouth can get promotion.
Number three - Kieran McKenna, Ipswich
Sutton's verdict: 'I'm a big Norwich City fan but there's a begrudging admiration for the job that he's done. Promoted last season from League One, they've been flying, Ipswich, this season. Really surprised me in an automatic spot.
'I still think they've got work to do. They may be lucky to hang on to him, Kieran McKenna, because I think there's going to be bigger clubs than Ipswich who are looking at him and thinking: "we want a piece of him."'
Ian Ladyman added: 'It's fair to see that nobody saw that coming when he left Manchester United as part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's coaching team. Nobody thought that Kieran was going to do what he did so you're absolutely right to highlight him... although I think you are going to have to move house now you've picked an Ipswich manager!'
Number two - Unai Emery, Aston Villa
Sutton's verdict: 'What a job he has done at Aston Villa, my former club. They are absolutely flying. They are in a title race. I think they have surprised many people and good for him after the nonsense he had to put up with at Arsenal.
Number one - Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham
Sutton's verdict: 'This may be a huge surprise, my number one... Ange Postecoglou! The brand of football he has brought to the Premier League - something different! People want him to fall flat on his face now because he's been off to a flyer. He's got half a team and they're a point behind Arsenal. Just imagine when he gets all his players back fit!
'Just the brand of football. You think what he took over. They were turgid, Tottenham, and now they are very watchable and they sold their best player in the summer.'
Ladyman saw sense in Sutton's choices but floated some names who were perhaps unlucky to miss out.
He said: 'So just to be clear, then. No David Moyes, no Gary O'Neil, no Pep Guardiola, no Mikel Arteta. Phil Parkinson at Wrexham might have had a decent shout. People can talk about all the money at Wrexham but that guy works under a lot of scrutiny and a lot of pressure. But particularly, no Pep Guardiola in your top five... he's won five trophies, mate.'
Sutton hit back: 'Not this season he hasn't won five trophies! He's won the Club World Cup but you don't care about that so you can't wade into this argument with that one. I take your point. I think Manchester City will get going in the second half of the season.
'You make a very valid point about David Moyes and Gary O'Neil. I thought about them but we can't fit everybody in. Just to see the way Tottenham play, the way that Aston Villa now are a serious football club again, good on those two managers.
'Another manager I thought about: Rob Edwards at Luton, because he's given them a chance and I never thought that Luton would have a chance, but he needs to pull his socks up if he wants to get into my top five managers of the season.'
Ladyman said: 'In terms of impact, Emery, Postecoglou, absolutely I can see that.'