It’s not easy to write this kind of post without coming across as obsequious, but sod it! Previous posts on this blog have featured Mike’s heroes in different fields and will continue to do so. I reckon all of us admire skilled practitioners in different areas. From the world of EFL blogging, let’s have a look at the giants and compare the ace bloggers.

Fledgling EFL bloggers like me who are interested in good EFL blogging will probably keep coming up against 2 names - Sandy McManus and Alex Case. So who’s the best?

In my opinion it’s pretty hard to decide. They are both brilliant in their own way. Here’s Mike’s rundown on each - in Boxing parlance - the tale of the tape:

Alex “15 ways to…” Case

For sheer industry and dedication, this guy reigns supreme. While most of us blog from time to time when the mood takes us, Alex has the discipline. You’ll find a new post there with amazing dedication and it’s always informative. Just reading back through that huge back catalogue of posts on almost everything Efl-connected under the sun is invariably must-read stuff for teachers and especially new ones - if you didn’t do proper teacher training (and you know my feelings about that readers…) reading his blog would tide you over until you did.

Alex is a mature and sensible blogger. Kind of like that brother type teacher you wish you had in your staffroom who can bail you out of any troublespot with ideas and activities tried and tested from years of blood, sweat and tears in the field. There is absolutely nowhere better to go to get ideas for classroom activities and insights. This comes from Mike, going into his 13th year in EFL with the cuts and bruises to prove it and who from time to time thought he’d seen it all.

Alex is not as funny as Sandy, but can be hilarious when he wants to be. He is witty, honest and sincere and pretty noble with it, as evidenced by the episodes with one particular crazy individual who launched a mindless attack on his blog without justification. Those of us with shorter fuses could never be so polite. Alex replies to questions too and comes over as a real stand-up bloke. I’m sure I’ll have a pint with him sometime soon and convince ‘im that Arsenal are best …

Sandy McManus

I’ve never laughed out loud more often than when reading this blog. Sandy can be cruel but by ‘eck he’s funny. His searing invective can leave you breathless and desperately trying to stitch your sides back together. This blog is more concerned with exposing TEFL shysters and the ridiculous side of the business. Pretentious DoSs, dictator owners and crap teachers all get both barrels in these posts, but it’s sooooooo funny. The more so for experienced teachers who, like him, have been around the block a few times. Sandy is just as seasoned and qualified as Alex and what he needs to do is somehow import his old posts into the archives of his new one so that new bloggers don’t miss out on the posts of the past. Not to do so would be a great shame.

What made his original blog unique I thought was this weird cast of characters who added their comments. I hope some of them return. With names like Shaun Ryder, Dr Kim and various others, the comments and his retorts were sometimes as funny as the blogs…

So what’s the verdict in the battle of the bloggers. Perhaps you can let me know. From what I can tell, they both admire each other. I’d have it an honourable draw, but to be honest it’s not really comparing like with like. There are some very funny efl blogs out there now - but to pretenders to Sandy’s throne - and perhaps in his words - they can F*** 0ff!

Rock on guys…

The Mikester