Simon
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Simon frankly has no chance of winning. His jokey approach to most tasks will have put Sir Alan off him. He is also a little too young and immature. He will get praise from Sir Alan because Simon DID try very hard and gave the tasks his all, but he was never really a contender and frankly should feel very lucky he is still around. He will be praised.

Tre
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Winner. Tre has the qualities Sir Alan is looking for in that he understands business and is also intelligent. Tre spotted the error in the shoe charity discount, he has pointed out several flaws in other tasks that cost the teams. Importantly, he learnt when to shut up, and you will notice that Tre stopped back chatting to Sir Alan after being told not too many weeks ago. Tre learnt. He also stood his ground on several occasions and ALSO (another biggy here) admitted when he screwed up. This is a quality Sir Alan will have noticed. Tre also has the backing of Sir Alans assistants, who are forever reaping praise on him as having brains. Tre has also been on the winning team enough tasks to prove he can function in a team. With Tre, you always know what you're getting.

Oh, and don't under estimate how beneficial his "This is why I want to work for you" speech was towards the end of this weeks episode. Sir Alan noted that and in the grand scheme of things, that question had no real place in this weeks episode. He asked that for a reason imho. And in the interviews, Tre appears very humble and HONEST. All very good stuff.

Kristina
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Finalist. Kristina is the strongest female contender after we exclude Katie for the reasons listed below. Kristina can sell, she is tenacious, she is well presented and can compose herself. That and she is a fighter who stands her corner. That said.. I struggle to separate her as having enough reasons for Sir Alan to hire her. I wish I had more to say about her because she deserves to be in the final, but I don't. Perhaps a sign.

Katie
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Katie is too good to be the apprentice. That may sound odd but there’s always been a feeling in this show that experienced, high salary people are never hired for this job. Reason? Well the job is for an apprentice, and it will no doubt come out in the interviews that Katie kicks arse, big time. Her salary of 90k or so, together with how well she has done for herself will be her ultimate down fall. Sir Alan will conclude that she wouldn't be able to adjust to being in such a low position as an apprentice. She is far too strong to be told what to do, and when to do it. She would upstage Sir Alan at times. Who knows, perhaps Katie will make the final and then pull out, citing that she never wanted to win, she just wanted to prove she could do it. Sir Alan wants an apprentice, not a brand manager. She has been a good face of the series.

Lohit
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Lohit has flown under the radar since day one and has left it far too late to pull up and show he is a strong contender. Frankly, Sir Alan probably forgets he is still in this show because the guy makes no large imprint on it. For that reason, Sir Alan will simply discard him and wish him all the best. "Nice chap that Lohit, but I didn't know enough about him."


Conclusion:

Tre to win, and he deserves the victory. Little confused as to why he proclaimed Katie was his only rival a few weeks ago and acted as if he had been fired, but who knows. Either way, he should do well and will bring the qualities needed to Sir Alan.

I've a funny feeling Jadine will win the final task for Tre.. although there are never any real winners of the final task. It would be rather ironic. I still feel Jadine and Tre should have been the final two.

And thats it. Flame away.

I agree with most except probably the Katie one. I don't feel she's proven shes 'too good' at all.

I feel Katie's on the show to raise her profile, the sad thing is we know of her for all the wrong reasons.

I think the people who are left have got to be the most ghastly business people around. Surely there are better people in business than this lot.

I want Katie to win, but I think Simon will.

Funny thing is, I don't think Katie wants to win.

Me too, but I'd want to see her, as rumoured,

Nice work Inspiration, a well thought out post with lots of reasoning behind your opinions.

I agree with what you say about most contestants, and very much agree with your Katy comments. She probably is too good to be an apprentice at Amstrad (which lets face it, if my Sky Plus box is anything to go by, isn't a mind blowing company!)

However i think Siralan has a soft spot for Simon, as it is beyond belief that he survived last week! The fact that he did makes me think Simon will certainly be in the final, and if he does well he will be crowned the winner.

From looking at the apprentice's Sunday programme I'll add mine

Simon

Parents very wealthy...hence jokiness as he doesn't need to win and his current job very minor...letting flats. Least suitable of the five

Tre

Sir Alan's favourite because he sees the wheeler dealer that he once was..but very argumentative, Great contrast to Lohit who justs gets on with it. Finalist probably

Kristina

Should be the winner. The others talk about success but she has actually achieved it under difficult circumstances. Downside is her "ends justifies the means" attitude. The Derby winner of the five.

Katie

All mixed up inside...multiple personalities..charming, snide, snobbish, flirting... all in one hour probably! The Iago candidate. Employing her and she be telling Siralan that Margaret is really a "Mavis" and Nick is hopeless etc by the end of the first day.

Lohit

Hard to read him...but someone you would give a task to knowing they would do their best. Probably not aggressive enough for Siralan. 2nd after Kristina. My finalist along with Kristina.


I would have expected at this stage to have 5 strong candidates but along the way I suspect Siralan let some good ones get away.

Oh well, 3 out of 5 ain't too bad

Don't agree that Tre is a winner. He's a bull****er whose done well adopting that tactic but he's not as strong as he makes out.