Fan Nick Judd explains why Swindon's latest league defeat - for once - wasn't the main talking point of the weekend...
ThereâÂÂs nothing like a managerial sighting to fuel the fire during these, currently, dire days of supporting Swindon Town.
Another home defeat at the weekend â 3-1 to Huddersfield â and the patience of even the most optimistic Town fans, myself included, is growing thinner than the ladies of the night working Manchester Road during the credit crunch.
Slack defending and individual errors are proving costly every week; weâÂÂre stuck in our own Groundhog Day.
This was our fifth home defeat in a row and the fifth time weâÂÂve shipped three goals in a game. Our goalkeepers are making one mistake after another (last season they were both in good form) while previously reliable defenders are proving consistently inconsistent, not least the beast Jerel Ifil.
"Not again..."
Yet it wasnâÂÂt the team performance or individual displays that had Town fans talking on Saturday night. Instead, it was the alleged sighting of former Plymouth boss Ian Holloway in the Town End.
First âÂÂspottedâ at the County Ground Hotel before the game, the story goes that Holloway was later seen inside the Town End, although his attendance hasnâÂÂt been confirmed by official sources.
Our chairman refutes having anything to do with it. In fact, Andrew Fitton insists if Holloway was there at all, it was of his own accord.
The rumour brings additional â and perhaps unfair â pressure on Maurice Malpas. He is still the manager whether we like it or not. This week heâÂÂs come out fighting, saying he wonâÂÂt be forced out by the boo boys. If he could show the same passion on the touchline many would see that as a start.
Yet the Holloway rumour has spawned so many Internet forum threads regarding Malpasâ future that the inevitable reaction for some will be to boo him during games, and that wonâÂÂt help a team low on confidence.
"You ain't seen me... right"
Would I like to see Holloway take over? HeâÂÂd certainly keep us entertained with his post-match musings while his positive mental attitude would be a welcome change to the current doom-mongering.
Other fans are following the Nottingham Forest situation with interest in the hope that Colin Calderwood will soon be available (the same goes for Martin Ling at Leyton Orient, who are one place below us in the table).
Either would appease those fans yearning for an old name. Jan ÃÂge Fjørtoft's name has been mentioned, too. IâÂÂd be in favour of that, but if itâÂÂs old faces weâÂÂre after then why not throw Paul BodinâÂÂs hat into the ring. His U18s have won eight in a row. My dad would snap your hand off for Glenn Hoddle, but heâÂÂs otherwise engaged in Spain - Hoddle, that is.
Whatever happens, we must get behind the players during our home double header next week (against Northampton and then Oldham). IâÂÂm sure there are some whoâÂÂd take two defeats if it meant the departure of Malpas.
IâÂÂd rather have the six points thanks.
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