[James]

Here's what I thought about show 4...

Big loss last night... although I thought both teams were pretty clueless and directionless.

Alexa going was the right decision though in the circumstances of a big loss of money the project manager has to be responsible.

Syed just says the wrong things at the wrong time... like when he thanked Alan Sugar for the vote of confidence! He's playing the game too much in the boardroom, and not going out to prove himself to have a good business mind.

But you can't help think that Alan made the wrong decision last week to ditch Karen instead of Jo or Alexa.

The teams this year have made so many mistakes it's unbelievable.

Jo and Syed have both made huge errors but I suspect they'll be kept in for entertainment value, and the fact that Alan likes gobby personalities.

Mani and Samuel haven't impressed me. I've noticed Ruth seems to be a bit difficult to work with. Sharon seemed okay until that argument with her leader in last night's show. Paul hasn't done a lot wrong so far but we'll see how he does as PM, I'm not sure about him. Tuan maybe be competent at least.

I think Michelle and Ansell seem to be about the best but we will see how they do when they are project managers.

Sir Alan needs to mix up the teams more - it's obvious that there are to many similar personalities types in the same team.

[Pipergun]

I agree James - Alexa was the right person to be sent home on Weds. - although it would've been great to have sent arrogant Syed packing. Alas, it wasn't to be.... yet .

Mani's team were, as you stated, the clear winners this week, as the only ones to make a profit - their approach was much more clear, organised and professional in a management sense, and although they too made some mistakes, this was outshadowed by the poorly-managed, sloppy team led by Alexa.

I did feel however, that as Alexa clearly delegated the sales to Tuan, and buying to Syed, that they needed to accept more responsibility for the result than they actually did. Nevertheless, Alexa should have questioned both candidates when they made mistakes, and this just did not happen.

I also agree in that it does sting after firing Karen, to see Alexa do so appaulingly - a possible waste of a much more capable cadidate - Karen? She clearly had much more potential than Alexa, whilst Jo (to an extent) showed herself to be a dignified team player.

From what I have seen from the previews, it appears the teams will be split as follows:

Tuan, Syed, Paul, Sharon, Michelle.

Jo, Ruth, Samuel, Mani, Ansell.

It appears that the two PMs are Ruth and Paul, although I may well stand corrected!

It's hard to predict who will come out on top, but I'm inclined to say the team lead by Paul will triumph, but that remains to be seen.

If this is true, it could be Samuel that's sent packing, as he has Imo shown no flare, and has been difficult in a team at times. Plus, it would even up the gender numbers!

Roll on next week's episode - I'm hooked!

Tom.

[James]

Oh dear, Sir Alan is under fire because of his comments about further education in the last show. Could we have another Gerald Ratner here?

He makes mistakes himself - he should have sacked Jo or Alexa insted of Karen in the last show.

Sugar comments leave bitter taste

Sir Alan Sugar has come under fire from further education bosses for describing colleges as places "where dummkopfs come to learn where to make mistakes".

The comments made on The Apprentice have prompted the Association of Colleges to write to Sir Alan.

Chief executive Dr John Brennan says his surprise was compounded by the fact that Sir Alan's firm Viglen is a major IT supplier to the education sector.

Dr Brennan said "an apology would not be out of place".

Sir Alan's remarks were made in the boardroom to team leader Alexa Tilley, a Cambridge University graduate, after her group's disastrous attempts to run a pizza stall.

In his letter, Dr Brennan said the comments had "caused outrage" among AoC members.

He said: "I can only assume those comments were made in ignorance of the reality of modern further education - and in particular of the real experiences of the four million students studying there."

A spokesman for Sir Alan was not immediately able to comment on the issue.

Sir Alan's technology firm Viglen is a major technology supplier to colleges and schools.

Its website declares: "Across two decades of growth, Viglen has become a supplier of choice to many of the UK's progressive, forward-thinking FE colleges.. our dedicated education team understands the dynamic environment of Further Education inside out."

Dr Brennan said it seemed "quite extraordinary" that Sir Alan would want to risk the reputation of his business.

In his letter he says: "It seems quite extraordinary that you would want to risk the commercial reputation of your own business. The example of Gerald Ratner springs to mind."

One college head has written to Sir Alan to make his feelings known.

'A lot to learn'

Dr David Collins, principal of South Cheshire College in Crewe, challenged The Apprentice contestants to go head-to-head with a team of his own students in a business challenge.

He described Sir Alan's comments as "derogatory" towards further education colleges.

He said: "As the principal and chief executive of one such college I would like to challenge this remark and pit half a dozen of my students against six of his contestants.

"The general view around South Cheshire College is that our students would give contestants a run for their money."

He added: "It's obvious that Mr Sugar has a lot to learn about further education and I am writing to him directly to express that view."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4829482.stm

[James]

Hmm, Mani fired there.

The loser's advert campaign was better but they advertised the wrong thing.

AS has got to be worried that the winning team didn't have a creative idea between them for the most part though!

[Lance]

Still can't believe Syed is still there? What on earth is going on?

I didn't like the whole advertising task they did this week. I prefer them when the result is black or white rather than subjective. I think the losing campaign was much better. But as you said, James, it failed to advertise the product in question.

I'm not liking Ruth. That girl has a really bad attitude and her face is always like a slapped ar$e when she is being given any criticism.

I think Michelle is fantastic. She's got a really creative and fairly logical mind. She's one of the youngest but far stronger than some of the candidates. Paul isn't bad. But he's far too cocky and I don't think SAS will appreciate that.

All in all, it looks like we have a good series on our hands.

[BigSister]

I thought Paul was cocky as well Lance but eh you cant win them all. Did any1 see last weeks episode

[Pipergun]

I sure did, Becca!

I thought Jo was the right person to go, although the show'll be lacking a bit of life now she's departed!

I think Sharon would've been in a bit of trouble if her team had lost, though, and thought she was very lucky not to get fired - she needs to watch her back otherwise she's got a fair chance of being sent packing in tonight's episode, as have they all, I guess! .

Am looking forward to tonights episode. I think the most likely to be fired are either Sharon, Samuel or Tuan. We shall see....

[James]

Samuel gone. It was pretty obvious after his team lost that he would go I thought.

He'd been in the boardroom too many times, and he also told Sir Alan that he wasn't the best salesman. And Sir Alan doesn't want to hear that.

Samuel's website - http://www.samueljudah.com/

[BigSister]

oh yeah Samuel he was there too many times in the boardroom and might have gone week before if it wasnt for Jo or is that some1 else

[Lance]

I knew SAS wouldn't fire Michelle. He always makes a big deal about one person whilst in the boardroom but ends up firing someone else. That's what he did with Karen too!

I like Michelle but that was a serious mistake she made. I really thought Samuel has been lacklustre throughout the whole series.

Ruth changed my opinion of her this week. She is a bit kiss-arsey but she is a very good saleswoman.

And how the hell is that plonker Said still there?

[James]

Sharon gone. Thought that was one of the more entertaining shows of the series.

SAS continually telling Syed to 'shut up' in the boardroom. Syed is a total bull merchant but he is entertaining for the series... which is probably why he was kept.

I liked the presenter's description on the BBC 3 show of Tuan as Baldrick to Syed's Blackadder - 'I have a cunning plan!'

BTW it was reported a week or so ago that Michelle and Syed were the latest reality TV romance... but not any longer because she dumped him because of something he said about her on the show.

At the moment though I think the winner will be either Ansell, Ruth or possibly Michelle. Could be Paul I guess but I'm not sure about him. Can't see Syed or Tuan winning.

[BigSister]

Yeah it was a good show this week James after missing last weeks show. I was laughing at SAS to tell Syed to shut up thought he was going actually but probably in hindsight Sharon was the right choice although Syed was late.
Winner should be Ruth/ Paul or Ansell but think its between Michelle Ruth or Ansell.

[Pipergun]

I enjoyed the show this week, but I have to disagree that in my opinion, Sharon shouldn't have been fired based on this week's task. Yes, she has seemed to be a bit naive and a pushover in previous tasks, but I cannot understand why Syed wasn't given the boot, as he was clearly the one to blame for their lateness. Plus, did they know for certain that there was an accident? Quite convenient, I think!

What the team didn't realise though, was that even if they had missed Syed and Tuan's final deal, they would still have lost, hence Syed's insistance on dealing with "big names" should have also come under fire.

Perhaps I am letting my personal judgements and my dislike for Syed cloud my vision, but all he will do when selling products is annoy the buyers, which isn't good!

On the winner, I believe that SAS secretly likes Syed, as he probably sees himself in him, and so I expect him to stick around for at least a couple more episodes. I don't however, see Tuan in particular lasting for much longer. He seems to be all talk and no action to me.

I think Ruth and Ansell seem the strongest competitiors at the moment, as Paul continues to become increasingly unproffesional in his attitude towards his fellow competitors e.g. the face he pulled behind Sharon's back. Finally, I don't think he should be in with a chance, but I think SAS's fondness for Syed will put him in the running for the winning job.

And... after what is seemingly a hefty rant from me, I still continue to enjoy the show, yet although I more often than not agree with SAS's choices, I struggle to agree with some of his recent selections - he needs to be objective and not let his emotions cloud his judgement. Oops, hello - it seems I am being quite hypocritical, so I shall stop there!!

[BB-Rocks]

Great post!!

Ive never watched it

[Pipergun]

Hehe, Davie - it was quite a rant wasn't it!!! But thanks all the same!

The first showing of the new episode is on a Wednesday at 9pm on BBC2. Well worth a watch Imo!

I know it's repeated at some point, but am not sure when.

[BigSister]

What the team didn't realise though, was that even if they had missed Syed and Tuan's final deal, they would still have lost

I thought this too Tom but no one else has picked it up so thanks for that

I don't however, see Tuan in particular lasting for much longer. He seems to be all talk and no action to me.

I think if he is on the losing side next week he will leave

And its repeated in England anyway Tuesdays at 7 dont know if its different in scotland

[James]

Tuan done. That was a funny episode. Syed not having the keys to the property, and the incident when he didn't know where another potential buyer was.

Also Syed waiting behind in the boardroom after Tuan was sacked.

This is my idea of the likelyhood of each of the contestants winning...

1. Ruth
2. Ansell
3. Paul (though I don't think he is that good)
4. Michelle
5. Syed

[BigSister]

Yeah same order for me James after watching last nights episode think its betwen Michelle or Syed to be fired next week
You forgot Paul being hit on the head with the lampshade
Yay I got Tuan right with my prediction so I think Syed or Michelle will go depending on the team

[Dan_]

I think Tuan had given up like Sir Alan said, I don't think he would like to work in a company such as Sir Alan's and he really wouldn't be able to live upto the title of the apprentice so he was right to go.

I think Sir Alan has a soft spot for Syed and I think this is down to his ability to have moments of brilliance but also he proably sees some of himself in Syed so I'm not sure he will go next, my prediction is going to be Paul to go next.This is proably down in part to my sheer dislike for him, his attitude and general manner really make me want him to go and I think if he's in the losing team, dependant on who's also in their he will be the one to go.

[BigSister]

I also think (dunno if this was me being ill last night or not) but the clips shown gave a good chance of Paul going as well

[Dan_]

Yer it seemed to signal that he messes up and could be in line to get the boot.

[Pipergun]

I can't remember the clips off the top of my head, so I'll have to visit the BBC website and have a deck! I too thought that Tuan was the right choice to go this week, even though I'd have loved to have seen the back of Syed!

I found Tuan's sales technique cringe-worthy, especially when he was asked about the road noise!! - I was confused as to Tuans motives in this task, as it was clear that if he was going to impress Sir Alan, he needed to be out of the office selling, which he clearly didn't do enough of.

I think next week we could be saying farewell to Michelle, or perhaps Paul from your comments, but I agree with Dan in that Syed is unlikely to go in the next episode, as I think SAS recognises himself in Syed, and the way in which he fights his corner when interrogated. Saying that, I'd very much like to be proved wrong!

I think Ruth did a great job in this weeks task, and if she shows that she can work just as effectively when part of a team, I believe she has a good chance of being hired. Also, Ansell seems to have performed well throughout, and I expect him to be in the running for the job!

[James]

Syed gone. He was good entertainment for the series. Was never going to beat the Badger in the boardroom, though she made mistakes on this task also.

I think the final two will be Ruth and either Ansell or Paul, though I don't think Paul should get through.

Paul, Ansell and Michelle have hardly ever been in the firing line in the boardroom, so you get the impression that they haven't been fully tested yet.

That makes Ruth look better actually - she's been able to defend herself in the boardroom.

[BigSister]

Yeah I was thinking that last night from what I saw MIchelle has hardly been in the boardroom well never from what ive seen I think ive seen Paul and Anselle at least once.
Scrap that about Paul being fired it was probably me not feeling same.
Think the F2 should be Ruth/Anselle

[Pipergun]

If I remember correctly, Michelle's been in the boardroom once (remember her VIP room mistake! ) I have a feeling Paul might have been in once at most, but I can't remember Ansell being in that position before!

I think the final two should be Ruth and Ansell - Paul's become a bit too cheesy in my mind, but he could possibly be one of the final two. I am, however, doubtful that Michelle could make it that far, unless she really ups her game.

Ok, now I've held it in for long enough: Syed's gone!!!!!!!! And about time too! I found myself cringing at many, no, most of his comments! Next week looks interesting, and I look forward to seeing who makes it to the final 2!