I quite rate Michelle actually.

I do too

From what I've seen so far, me too.

Interesting point.... I get the feeling though that we're not really seeing Panos at his business best. It's obvious from the way Bill talks that he has an exemplary CV but the others don't seem to rate him. Passing him over as PM for another online task even though Bill gave other candidates a roasting for doing the same thing a little earlier?? They seem to have the impression that he's not taking it all very seriously.
God, he's entertaining though.....he he - ba ba trap sheep!

I think Panos sort of shot himself in the foot by acting as he has up to now. He's made people laugh, he's been entertaining but hasn't really shone at any of the tasks (although his team-mates would do well to remember he secured the deal with Insomnia a few tasks back, no mean feat!) and as a result his contemporaries think he's just there for the fun and don't really rate him, Plus the fact that he wasn't prepared to actually give up his job, just take a break, where the others (claim) they jacked theirs in and so have bet all on this ride, reinforces that belief --- justified or not --- that he is not serious about the job.

That's probably why they're all leery of giving him the PM job, as they think he'll just faff about and then claim the credit if the team wins. However, they really can't be forgiven for not trusting him to lead an ONLINE TASK, for god's sake! Panos needs to push himself more and maybe apply himself to the tasks to show that he has what it takes to lead one, or he's destined to always be the one who is seen as being just there to make up the numbers.

I don't think Panos is that great but I can't believe anyone would criticise him for this. It's a shrewd move on his part. The others would probably take leave if they could.

I'm not criticising him, I'm just pointing out that the others are using it against him, saying he's not confident/dedicated enough. Of course you'd be an idiot to give up a high-paying job on the basis you MIGHT win this --- esp in these times of economic hardship --- but the move is being used to show him up as not really believing in himself. It's the old "Do you trust me? Then let go!" mentality...

Also, Bill looked surprised when the accusation/revelation was made, as if a) he hadn't known it and b) it diminished Panos in his eyes.