Some consolation for the likes of Rémi Garde, Steve McClaren and other struggling managers in the Barclays Premier League this week — you’re not Gary Neville.

Neville’s decision to go to Valencia is looking increasingly foolhardy after the eight-game winless La Liga run and 7-0 pummelling at Barcelona in the Copa del Rey.

Erudite and assertive he may be, but his appointment shows little regard for the skills needed to get to the top.

Throw in a different culture and a new language and it smacks of too much too soon, and blatant overconfidence. Scaling the heights of football punditry is one thing, but doing it for real is another.

Just ask Alan Shearer, a smug example of someone who could play and subsequently talk a good game, but who face-planted spectacularly when handed his dream Newcastle United job without the proper apprenticeship.

Neville, to his credit, is unlikely to be scared off the dugout in the same way Shearer was and there is still a good chance he will bounce back.

But in this instance, the likes of McClaren deserve more immediate respect, a man who worked his way through the ranks, experiencing all the highs and body blows that entails.

Better still, Neville should be looking at the man he idolises, Sir Alex Ferguson, who was exposed to the harsh realities of management at East Stirlingshire and St Mirren, where he was sacked, before going on to excel at Aberdeen and Manchester United.

Macclesfield over the Mestalla may have been the way to go.

Could be a real humdinger. Leicester were too much for Liverpool in midweek and Jamie Vardy continues to provide a cutting edge most teams would die for.

City have won 16 of their past 19 home games but this promises to be a real test against Claudio Ranieri’s genuine title contenders.

Prediction: 2-2

If Villa can keep 11 men on the pitch they should give themselves a chance of a rare win against a plummeting Norwich side.

That said, Alex Neil’s team have invested in January and have more reason for optimism. Defeat could hasten Garde’s inevitable exit. He looks fed up already.

Prediction: 1-1

Jürgen Klopp’s contorted face has been stretched recently. Fortunate to get to the Capital One Cup final and well beaten by Leicester, more and more of his players look ill-equipped to play his full-throttle football.

They should have enough to beat Sunderland but this is no given on present form.

Prediction: 2-1

After splashing the cash, Newcastle must now perform for manager McClaren, whose reputation is on the verge of taking another significant hit. Their squad is talented, more so than West Brom’s, but the desire must match that of Tony Pulis’s side.

Prediction: 1-1

Stoke come into this game off the back of two straight league defeats and in need of some fresh impetus. The likes of Xherdan Shaqiri need to step up.

Everton finally got over the line against a woeful Newcastle in midweek with Ross Barkley in commanding form.

Prediction: 2-3

Palace are in a slump, which has gone under the radar somewhat.

Their season is in danger of petering out into nothingness. Swansea, on the other hand, have got the bit between their teeth after waving goodbye to manager Garry Monk and look odds on to make it six straight defeats for Alan Pardew’s side.

Prediction: 2-0

With Harry Kane and Dele Alli leading the charge, Spurs are perfectly poised for a title challenge and certainly for a top-four finish. Watford held Chelsea impressively in midweek and have been worthy additions to the top flight. Spurs, at home, should have too much power, though.

Prediction: 2-0

Two in-form sides. Southampton have recovered their poise after a tricky spell and the prospect of Ronald Koeman winding up an irritable Arsène Wenger in the tunnel after their 0-0 draw shows they have a bounce back in their step.

Prediction: 3-1

The more Benik Afobe plays the more his £10 million fee appears a snip. His goals could well keep Bournemouth in the division, although that would be unfair on the rest of their squad. Arsenal, in true Arsenal fashion, have stumbled when the chance appeared to own top spot. This will not be easy.

Prediction: 2-3

Chelsea will make this hard for United, without doubt, and remain unbeaten under Guus Hiddink. The team still lacks spark, though, and coupled with United’s tendency for drab displays, this could well be a stalemate.

Louis van Gaal will want more of the attacking verve that destroyed Stoke but space will be at a premium at the Bridge.

Prediction: 1-1