Which one of these incompetent w*nkers would you like to win the show?

The only ones I can muster any kind of fondness for are Sara, Lucinda and Raef. They seem intellectually sound and are also entertaining. Everyone else is either a sly bastard (Alex, Claire, Helene) or an idiot (Michael, Kevin, Lee, Lindi, Jenny, Alex, Claire and Helene). Jennifer is a complete non-entity.

Yuck. Possibly the least enjoyable series so far. Don't know if I can even be bothered to tune in next week knowing that one of these losers is going to be granted a £100,000 contract so far ahead of Simon.

Raef to win for me. Or Squeaky Sara. I like her too

Not seen much of Jennifer so I'm guessing she'll be in the final

That Lee appears to skate his way through as well, despite making an absolute knob of himself at times

Sara and Raef are ok - cannot stand alex, claire, helene, jenny, michael, kevin

have no opinion whatsoever on Jennifer or Lindi, apart from the hilarious 'best salesperson in Europe' and '24 hour pant hotline and personal account manager' they are totally nondescript

Lucinda is just a bit too whiny for me - I know they are horrible to her though

Lee is ok I think but not totally sure yet

Sara and Raef are my favourites too. I also really liked Simon, what a shame he's gone.

I don't really know what to think of Lucinda, I don't think I've seen her actually do anything yet. But I really want her to get a chance to prove herself and I hope she at least lasts longer than Jenny and Helene!

There's something I like about Jennifer and Lindi - but I don't think they're the brightest tools in the box! I can't take either of them seriously, but I don't think they're as ruthless and as loathsome as the others so that's something!

Since Raef and Simon were a bit of a double act and Raef seems like a decent guy, I'm going to support him...

Simon did say he is a number two guy and would like to be Raef's number two.

Didn't see it tonight, and it's not on iplayer yet. Am GUTTED that sexy sergeant simon has gone. This series will now consist of me hoping they ALL get fired.

Simon was indeed lovely. I did swoon a quite a bit during this episode, especially when he lay down in a seductive pose.

Any suggestions as to who I should transfer my inappropriate-reality-TV-man-crush to?

plenty of them have just been hired for the comedy value..or at least I hope thats the case and these aren't the business minds of Britain in action!

some of them are lost in a world of corporate bullshit, such as the '24 hour helpline' for a laundry service! theres far too many saying they 'dynamically' do this, and 'creatively' manage that.

Simon was a nice guy, who would work well for someone, but he wasn't a leader IMO. And I think his attempts to prove he was a leader made him a worse personality..he was a lot more arrogant tonight (though nothing like some of the other candidates!)

Raef and Irish Jennifer- I thought she was very good in last weeks Pub task. I still like Helene despite being a bit sly in the boardroom. Not sure what to make of Lee

Bit strange that. The Raef's he will have met in the army officer echelons tend to be split between the stunningly brilliant and the thick hooray Henrys.

Raef isn't that thick but he's by no means the complete article. You would think a good army NCO would know the difference - particularly as the army is quite good getting rid of most of the thick ones before they reach the higher ranks.

That may be part of Simon's problem that he didn't (apart from in his IQ speech) seem to think he should win. Clare was annoying and not very good but she was certainly spunky and fought harder - which again is odd given he is the one who has been in combat.

Opinion:

Simon = the Natalie of this series. Both from Essex. Both a little bit incompetent as project managers, but both hard-workers who have overcome the odds, hugely likeable compared to all the other candidates, and disposed of far too early.

Except Simon didn't do any of Natalie's dubious fibbing in the boardroom. He was very honest and forthcoming.

Gutted for simon, but like I said on another thread he's better of out of it. I think the guy as come out of this really well, hell if I had my own business I'd employ him. Raef's my next favorite, even though he's been a bit quiet these last two weeks. Mind you I dont blame him, this week, being stuck in a room with those two.

I have a soft spot for Lucinda - reminds me of Charlotte who went on to win the first season of the UK survivor show (five weeks out she was a no hoper yet went onto win the thing - and defeated all the evil bullies too).

I've no idea who will win now - I'm beginning to think Sir Alan may go for Michael.

Sexy sergeant Simon - I love it! - he was indeed. Can hardly be bothered watching it now he's gone.............

Spot on. My thoughts exactly.

I felt really sorry for Lindi last night. I know that she comes across as whiney and doesn't really input too much, but despite saying that she was a complete technophobe and couldn't even work a digital camera she was given the job of using the computer! I found her team leaders (can't remember her name) attitude towards her disgusting.

I don't think he'll last, and not because he's stupid or anything else, but because Srallan would never employ anybody that classy on account of his Neanderthal Sugar ways and mega chip on the shoulder. Raef would make him look like the ape in a suit that he truly is

I liked Simon. He had integrity, but he's not a leader and he knows that. He was far too nice to be in this show anyway.

I hope Claire trips over her naff heels and falls flat on her face.

That was Lucinda, not Lindi. I quite like Lucinda, but she is hopeless at everything.

Sara and Raef and Lee are not too odious thus far so naturally they will not get very far...the rest are incompetent or bullies or both.

Totally agree, he's lovely but he went at this like a bull in a china shop. He'd talked himself up so much he was bound to fail. His reasoning for some decisions was laughable 'I want to be project manager because my mate is a photographer and I know the Bluewater shopping centre'?

There was another corker but I can't remember it!

I'm afraid he did this to himself. If he'd concentrated on being a photographer, rather than pushing his plate up to try and be project manager as well (two distinct roles), he'd still be in.

Dave

I'm gutted Simon has gone, I really thought he was the only one who should have won and the only one who could actually back up his words with action. I think if he had done the challenge alone, he would have had more success than being dragged down by the rest of his 'team'.

I really don't like most of them and can't see anyone now who would merit the position, as the others seem to be full of words and a calculating manner to get there. I do quite like Raef though, he seems quite genuine, so I will back him now and although Lucinda doesn't seem to be very competent, I am backing her for the girls, just to piss the other girls off, if they get booted out before her. I think it must be hard to do well in the show when it's quite obvious she's being constantly bullied and sniped at from all sides and her confidence must be really low and whatever she says seems to give the other girls excuse to lay into her.

I'm going with Raef and his hair now the lovely Simon has gone. My apologies to Raef, and this absolutely guarantees you'll be gone within a week or two

Four weeks have passed now, so here in no particular order (apart from the last four of the 16 who have already been fired) is my opinions on the candidates so far.

I wanted Simon to win. As of today, I guess I'm siding with Raef. Not liking Jenny or Claire at all, and Alex hasn't endeared himself to me either. And the whole teams treatment of Lucinda is quite shocking. She seems to be getting bullied by everyone.


Raef

Somehow managed to get the best out of the boys team in the week two task. A 24-carat prick and tosser, but likeable with it, and could go far. Always promising 110%. Knows when to keep his head down and avoid the crossfire. Probably can get on equally well with prince and pauper like he claims.

Jennifer

Describes herself as the “best saleswoman in Europe”, a boast that will almost certainly come back to haunt her in the future, probably in the upcoming buying task in Morocco where she’ll come up against the “best salesman in Africa” and come off second best. Will probably still make the final five – she is one of the stronger female candidates. Still largely invisible in the edits after four weeks.

Jenny

A dreadful bully. This years pantomime villain. Lucky not to get fired in week two. Her cards are surely marked. Too old to be a serious contender, but she’s desperate enough to try anything to stay in there as long as possible. Has wisely stayed under the radar since. Won’t be afraid to get the knives out at fellow candidates.

Lindi

Young, eager and bubbly, but has made some terrible mistakes, not least the idea of the 24hour washing hotline. Has a number of personal websites promoting herself as ‘Luscious Lindi’ and everything from a hip-hop singer to a would-be TV “presenter”. I thought the BBC were trying to weed out the wannabes like this who are trying to use the series to further their own media career rather than working for Sir Alan. So far, completely obsessed with collecting “tips” for “personal services”. That at least one adult TV channel and several lads magazines are waiting in the wings to offer her a deal says it all. Can’t see her lasting the distance, and if she does, Sir Alan will look an even bigger fool than last year and the fiasco surrounding Katie Hopkins. Needs to be fired quickly if SAS is to retain any credibility at all this year.

Lucinda

There you are watching “The Apprentice” with a sea of candidates in sombre black and white business ensembles, and then smack bang in the middle of it, in glorious Technicolor (usually complete with a matching beret) there is the enigma that is Lucinda. Has a very interesting sense of style with the beret and fishnets and colourful outfits, but has yet to make her mark. The lone blonde. I don’t think she’s stupid, but hasn’t bonded with her fellow female candidates and is sure to get ganged up on again the next time she is in the losing team. Her enemies already include Jenny, Helene and Claire. Helene’s decision to give the self-confessed technophobe the job of using the computer to print out the photos in week four was a disaster waiting to happen – it was as if she deliberately wanted Lucinda to fail. Surely can’t last – there’s too many knives about. I do like her, though.

Claire

Not afraid to stick the knife into her fellow candidates, including Sara, after their team had won and constantly undermined team leader Simon as well. Seems impossible to manage. Obviously has a game-plan not dissimilar to Katie Hopkins. Not to be trusted, but will probably go far. Won’t win any friends in the process.

Helene

Seems the most sensible and level-headed of all the girls. The strategy of hiring the David Beckham look-a-like in week four was sound, and business was brisk, but putting Lucinda in charge of the computer (when she said very early in the day that she was no good at technical things) was completely bizarre and could very easily have lost her the task. Was she setting Lucinda up for a fall? If so, then that is not on. A good chance of being in the final two.

Michael

Pure comedy gold. Good to watch, but surely hasn’t got a chance in the final shake-up. No future as a singer, but will he sneak through to the last five? I think he might, as there is a lot of dead wood about this year, and he seems fairly adept at keeping a low profile and getting anything pinned on him by other contestants – so far.

Kevin

Lucky not to get fired in week three though being thrust in as head chef was always going to be a difficult task. Cooking for large numbers is not easy but still got his sums badly wrong which is unforgivable for a bank manager. Outside chance if he can stay in the winning team most weeks and keep his head down.

Lee

Referred to himself in the third person (“Lee McQueen is concerned”). Not good unless you are a megalomaniac. Possible anger management issues also – not sure he is a team player. In charge of the camera and taking pictures during week four and did a confident job at that task. Will probably not last the distance though.

Alex

Has a large female fan club, despite the Superman PJs. May have a future as a male model. Stepped up to the role of Project Manager in week one when no-one else wanted to, and that fact alone saved him. Started to show his true colours in week four and proved he can lie and stab people in the back just as well as any of the girls. Simon said after his firing that Alex is drop dead shrewd and has a very definite game plan and could win it. He might be right. Should go far in the competition.

Sara

Led her team well in week three, but could easily have lost if the boys had reined in their spending. I get the feeling her job of ‘International Car Trader’ has been “bigged up” for TV and really means “I work for daddy’s family car dealership in Leicester”. Could do well but may get stitched up by someone like Claire or Jenny.

Simon

Not afraid to get stuck in and graft. Down-to-earth and an excellent number two in any team, but can he step up to number one? The most likeable of the boys – someone who you can trust to watch your back. Constantly undermined by Claire (who had already undermined Sara in week three) and Alex, who did nothing to help him win – his team were all watching out for number one instead and trying to avoid the boardroom rather than actually try and win. Simon’s business plan, as it was, was quite sound – they had the customers but just couldn’t deliver the goods. Simon was big enough to admit to his mistakes, agree that his skills really are best suited to being a No2 and that he was on the limits of his expertise and probably wouldn’t have won the series anyway, though he should have got a lot further than week four. He also recognised that far too many other candidates were prepared to lie, cheat and stab others in the back to remain in the contest, and that he was not prepared to stoop that low to a “win at all costs” mentality. At the end of the day, he was just too likeable.

Ian

Claims not to be able to say the word “Loser”, but he is. Deserved to get fired. Could and should have done a lot better in the pub food challenge, especially since his father is in the business. Didn’t come over well in the “You’re Fired” show at all.

Shazia

One of SAS’s most bizarre firing decisions ever. I thought she had a chance. Credit to Jenny for spotting her weakness though and taking the opportunity.

Nicholas

Did not defend himself well in the boardroom, rather odd for a barrister. SAS must have expected him to put up more of a fight as well, and his firing was not a surprise.

I like Jennifer, I think she's quite bright and we've not seen too much from her, woudl be interested to see her as PM.
Don't like many of the other girls. Up until this week, I really liked Helene, but she was appaulling last night, completely inept, she was only lucky that the other team screwed up even more badly.

I kind of like Lucinda, she's so ditsy and I feel they are really harsh on her.

Raef is starting to grow on me and I like Sara.
Also Lee seems quite level headed, the rest are all vile, it reminds me a bit of Big Borther, really horrilbe desperate people who will do anything to win. Alex & Clare.......don't start me!!