If Greater Manchester Police was a Premier League football team, they're a few points adrift of safety and facing relegation. The board sacked Ian Hopkins mid-season and in came the policing equivalent of Sam Allardyce.
Like Big Sam, Stephen Watson has a well-earned reputation for miraculous escapes. He did it at South Yorkshire Police.
Our new chief constable is really a rugby man but he appreciates a good metaphor whatever the sport: recent results have been great, team morale is good and, if the results keep coming and the upward trajectory is maintained, relegation will be avoided.
