Rumours fly like Robins about Swindon's next boss
Tuesday 18 November 2008 16:00
Fan Nick Judd hears a lot of whispers, a lot of stone-cold rumours...
If you believe what you hear on the Wiltshire rumour mill, Aidy Boothroyd was in the director’s box for Swindon’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Saturday and is set to become Town’s new boss. Mind you, Alan Curbishley was in the County Ground hotel before the game, Kevin Keegan was selling programmes while Sam Allardyce was shifting hotdogs…
There’s something about a vacant manager’s hot seat that brings out the Wisteria Lane in people. No sooner had Maurice Malpas departed than Town fans were into conjecture overdrive, with the usual merry-go-round of spottings, counter rumours and lies in full flow.
Chairman Fitton: "What would you bring to the job?"
It’s all nonsense, but par for the course. We won’t be signing any big-name players anytime soon, so this is our chance to enjoy the prospect of hosting some of football’s more well-known names. Let us have our fun.
Predictably, Ian Holloway led the early charge. Like any pace setter he was soon making way and by Friday evening Iain Dowie, Steve Cotterill and Gus Poyet were leading the pack.
John Ward: "I can play tunes on a bottle"
Then, on Saturday, a local bookmaker threw a curve ball by suggesting his company had suspended bets on John Ward, the man responsible for Carlisle’s rise up League One – but more recently a 10-game run without a win.
It continued. Town’s dramatic comeback against the pace-setting Foxes saw many supporters turn their attentions closer to home. "David Byrne is the man to take us forward," texted one fan to BBC Radio Swindon.
Steve Cotterill: "I can do the YMCA"
One thing’s for sure, with Malpas gone a cloud has been lifted. At two down, under his tutelage, there’s no doubt we would be baying for blood. Instead we united, encouraged… and it worked.
For me, whoever he is, the next man has to fulfil several criteria. As well as being able to bring the best out of the current squad he needs to have good contacts. This is a man who’ll have to work on a stringent budget, yet turn us into a force in League One and, if you believe Swindon’s board, a Championship side within three years.
Iain Dowie: "Pah! I can do the paso doble"
They should also be capable of having a certain ‘wow’ factor, and not just for the fans. History proves those who have been there and done it as a player – Hoddle, Macari, Ardiles and Wise – have got the best out of our more modest players.
Equally as important, though, is that the new man is able to galvanise what is a lazy football town. We’re a fickle bunch and while many fans returned this summer, in part because of the good work done by our board in securing the club’s future, more still stay away.
Aidy Boothroyd: "I can sing like an angel"
They need inspiring, while those of us who have kept the faith through failed takeovers, Colin Todd, Andy King and League Two need to be rewarded.
Andrew Fitton, the choice is yours. No pressure…
Ian Holloway: "I can mime like Marcel Marceau"
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