Thetownend.com

It's that time again...

An up and coming young manager or retiring pro, please.

Paul Hurst or Michael Flynn.

I’d also be looking at Garrard.

I reckon Power has someone lined up.

Matt Taylor

Duncan Ferguson

TIM Sherwood    :D

I reckon Power has someone lined up.

No.

We need someone in the firefighter mould...what’s Martin Allen up to these days? He’d fit the bill perfectly. I’m thinking a deal until the end of the season to help see us over the line and then we can review in the summer.

Isn’t he currently [mis-]managing Chesterfield to oblivion and beyond?

Why not?

Been Coaching at Everton for a number of years now. Full of drive & passion. Wouldn’t take any shit.

A journey man hanging n his old mans coat tails. Power will want a chamgane manager with lemonade money, I doubt the spawn of Fergie would come here anyway.

A journey man hanging n his old mans coat tails. Power will want a chamgane manager with lemonade money, I doubt the spawn of Fergie would come here anyway.

A journey man hanging n his old mans coat tails. Power will want a chamgane manager with lemonade money, I doubt the spawn of Fergie would come here anyway.

As someone pointed out the other day, Chang has reinvented himself as a kind of "shit Reg" troll.

Someone I know on the fb page has said an interview took place this morning at the Swan Inn in Bibury.  If true and no reason to disbelieve him, it seems like Power has a replacement already.

Someone I know on the fb page has said an interview took place this morning at the Swan Inn in Bibury.  If true and no reason to disbelieve him

Someone I know on the fb page has said an interview took place this morning at the Swan Inn in Bibury.  If true and no reason to disbelieve him, it seems like Power has a replacement already.

A journey man hanging n his old mans coat tails. Power will want a chamgane manager with lemonade money, I doubt the spawn of Fergie would come here anyway.

DF did alright at Peterborough

apparently not the DF you are thinking of.

I'm thinking of Darren Ferguson, who are you thinking of?

Duncan Ferguson ex Everton is the name previously mentioned,  Darren has been out of management since 2008.

Duncan Ferguson ex Everton is the name previously mentioned,  Darren has been out of management since 2008.

Eh? He managed Preston, Peterborough and Doncaster since then

Simon Ferry is the answer. He always has been

You’re an idiot.

Simon Ferry is the answer. He always has been

We need someone in the firefighter mould..

Duncan is no relation to Sir Alex...

Just got in! Hoorah!

And the new man is . . . Sam Ricketts

Been called worse than that you insignificant one cell piece of pond life 😂

Fuck off, Reg! You’ve burst me balloon already!

I'd be fun, at least.

this must have been lined up before the York game.

agree with Rich, reckon we'll have an announcement tonight/tomorrow

What about Gary Bowyer? Power made a move for him before and he's currently unemployed.

I'd still entertain the idea of Sam Ricketts. He can't be on that much at Wrexham, shirley?

Out of 9 managers sacked in the FL so far, could we be in for one of these;

Gary Bowyer (realistic, Power was in for him before DF)
Gary Johnson
Nick Daws
Kevin Nolan (possible)
Michael Collins
Dean Austin
Steve Bruce (would be interesting but unlikely)
Marke Yates (no thanks)
Paul Hurst (another interesting one but unlikely)

Who is Shirley ?

Shirley? You Shirley must know what I'm on about?

That must be the easiest whoosh going  :soapy tit wank:

Who'd you like to see here next my trolly friend? ;)

Shirley Bassey ?

Well yes you would. And at least we would know the players would be better in the air. But what do you think of Ferry?

Was manager of Oldham until he took them down

Richie Wellens is 1/5 on Sky bet

Was manager of Oldham until he took them down

What criteria can you use to come up with Wellens as manager.

The problem is, that any untried manager with any sort of self confidence in their ability would need some assurances he’d have a chance of making a fist of STFC.

Richie Wellens? Jesus wept

Wellens has experience of a relegation dog fight and by all accounts Oldham’s loss of Div 3 status was not down to him. Throw in the fact he isn’t contracted and is unlikely to command a high salary, i’d say he fits the bill. One of the things I always look forward to finding out when there’s a managerial appointment is who will be trusted with the role of cone gatherer...it’s almost as important as the main appointment itself. Taylor would be the obvious choice you’d think :hmmm:

It's already on Wikipedia that Wellens is the Swindon Town Manager..

Ladies and gentlemen. Please welcome to the dugout, Mr Gordon Greer

It's already on Wikipedia that Wellens is the Swindon Town Manager..

It's already on Wikipedia that Wellens is the Swindon Town Manager..

Who's the next victim? we're sacking managers faster than Chelski.. The clubs in decline and unless PB's sacking has anything to do with a takeover, its just a case of moving the deck chairs around. Matty will most likely get a second try but I'm not holding my breath that anyone special will be joining us  (I'd love to be proved wrong). LP's record of appointing managers is one of the worst in the clubs history. What a shambles, I almost feel sorry for PB his results last season would have put most clubs off signing him but we stuck with and it must be costing a fair chunk of budget to keep showing managers the door.

yeah, and his stats are even worse this season, :bye:

I’m not the one getting Darren & Duncan mixed up.

Cared enough to reply, again

Richie Wellens is 1/5 on Sky bet

Out of the names on Sky Bet I'd go for Thomas Christiansen, purely as I'd like to see a foreign head coach rock up.

Considering how soon it was after Brown's sacking was confirmed, it may well have been the bookies putting him on themselves just to make the numbers up.

It will have gone in as favourite because someone put £5 on it. If Richie Welles’s is our new manager I’ll eat my own dick

Whoever comes in needs a decent backing from Power,

.. I’ll eat my own dick

Well, I’ve just placed a bet on Sky Bet to see if small wagers really change these sort of markets.

I put a tenner on Matt Taylor

I put a tenner on Matt Taylor

I put a tenner on Matt Taylor

I said previously, I'm not sure Matty would take it if offered.... Chang could be right we need a firefighter. Wellens did a good job with Latics at first, and given he took on a dire situation, a similar show for us would keep us up.

Is Chang now your official cheerleader?

No, really, I don’t care.

Wellens did a good job with Latics at first, and given he took on a dire situation, a similar show for us would keep us up.

Stop replying then.

Reg, you've lost it.

Reg, you've lost it.

if it's Wellens I'm done with power*..

*unless Wellens does well, obviously I'm very fickle

If I owned a bookies I'd troll the fuck out of everybody by plopping in the names of random 'shite' managers.

I think it's complete luck I won't be excited or disappointed in any appointment until they start to put their ideas and players into a team.

we have done inexperience and it's worked (wise/poyet/do canio) and failed (Williams/Cooper).

we have done experienced and it's worked (sturrock, Wilson) and failed (Flitcroft, Brown).

It's easier to get more excited about a former pro footballer as they have a clean sheet and contacts. With experience they have club's which they have done well and also terrible.

I can't put any blame on power for the last few years. he has appointed strong experienced managers and backed them. It hasn't worked. we go again

Autocorrect on my phone changed Wellens to We'll end.

Wouldn't be surprised if Gary Bowyer got the job.

Neal Ardley just left AFC Wimbledon. Presumably unrelated but would be a reasonable profile of manager...

Is there a list of potential managers somewhere? I'm just reading names mentioned here and there.

Is there a list of potential managers somewhere? I'm just reading names mentioned here and there.

God it's depressing being a town fan, the downward spiral just continues..

And people wonder why fans lose their mojo about a club..

Colin Calderwood appears at 10/1. Is he out of work currently?

Colin Calderwood appears at 10/1. Is he out of work currently?

Not really any of the names mentioned actually appeal to me, possibly Bellamy at a push.

I think I would prefer the recently retired top level player, possibly an ex international, all the experienced names mentioned either wouldn't want to come to us or would not inspire me with much confidence, ala Cotterill etc.

I have a feeling the job could be Taylors, if he wants it, he wouldn't be my first choice but who knows, I am not going to write any new manager off before he is even appointed.

People know Bellamy is very close friends with Power right?

Not really any of the names mentioned actually appeal to me, possibly Bellamy at a push.

I think I would prefer the recently retired top level player, possibly an ex international, all the experienced names mentioned either wouldn't want to come to us or would not inspire me with much confidence, ala Cotterill etc.

I have a feeling the job could be Taylors, if he wants it, he wouldn't be my first choice but who knows, I am not going to write any new manager off before he is even appointed.

I think you will find that is NOT the Swindon way PV  ;)

Bellamy turned down Oxford, apparently due to concerns over budget, recruitment etc. so unless something has happened he'd be very unlikley here.

#Swindon set to appoint Richie Wellens as new manager with Noel Hunt his assistant. #STFC Full story shortly #SSN

😢

That said, they were in a mess offf the pitch at the time

Not the most inspiring appointment ever but can't be worse than PB.

Out of interest, why are people so annoyed about this? I get it's not glamorous or the person most would have chosen, but it's invoking some seriously strong reactions and I don't get it.

You're right about a lot of it is down to luck, right man, right place etc. 

But your analysis of outcomes is very shaky. Wise wsn't inexperienced,, he'd taken Millwall to a cup final, and into Europe.  Cooper wasn't inexperienced he'd had something like 200 game in management before us. Wilson worked up to a point, but he was culpable for leading us into Div 4 in 10/11.  Flitcroft didn't fail... he left us in a PO slot and comfortably clear of the sort of slide we're now experiencing.

Power is culpable for getting us into Div 4, his hope that we could "limp over the line" in 16/17 tells us tat.

Who exactly were we expecting?Someone amazing?

We are at the lowest position we have been in in my life time supporting the club. We are about to appoint a manager who got sacked at oldham and his assistant happens to be from guess where. Things are progressively getting worse

Not the most inspiring appointment ever but can't be worse than PB.

We are at the lowest position we have been in in my life time supporting the club. We are about to appoint a manager who got sacked at oldham and his assistant happens to be from guess where. Things are progressively getting worse

Who cares where our assistant is born?

Well, he was a cracking bargain pick up in CM 01/02 (along with Michael Duff, coincidentally now Cheltenham manager). That's pretty much the only feeling I have about him either way, so we'll see how it goes.

His win percentage is almost Hoddlesque compared to Brown's here!

Blimey,that high?I'm amazed

Is the same Wellens who was dirty cheating fouling cunt who played for Blackpool? I hated that little fucker

Posts like these are meaningless without the "Just shows how far we've fallen" tagline Swindon fans have adopted in the past few months.

But yes you are right... Although my STFC 'mojo' is waining I still love watching live football. Managed to get a ticket in the away end at the Madejski for £20. 3 goals after 10 minutes, great value for money. Now Browns gone though I'll probably come to the next Town game (after throwing a right old strop post Cambridge) and support the new man.

Actually, for a Manager who took a team like Oldham last season, his record isn't that bad.  Seems most stats ignore his caretaker spell where he won 4 and drew 1 game as well.  so, if the stats are right, won 18, drew 17 and lost 13 including cup games.  A lot of those draws and losses seem to be towards the end of the season as well, so hopefully the season finishes before he hits the bad run with us!  His departing message was to agree the time was right but to make mention of the squad gradually failing to cope with the demands - he might need to get with Power quickly to get January sorted if that is the case.  He won't be needing central midfielders though.

He also talked a lot of Power bullet points - style of play, developing young players blah blah.

Assuming it is him, obviously.

Not the most inspiring appointment ever but can't be worse than PB.

Out of interest, why are people so annoyed about this? I get it's not glamorous or the person most would have chosen, but it's invoking some seriously strong reactions and I don't get it.

They won 1, drew 1 and lost 7 before he took over it seems.  Something like that.

As Reg would point out,if he replicated his Oldham performances with us, he'd do enough to keep us up.

It will have gone in as favourite because someone put £5 on it. If Richie Welles’s is our new manager I’ll eat my own dick

Ed
‏
@OAFCEd
 9m9 minutes ago
More
Wellens got Oldham playing good football when he first took over. We have an absolute charlatan of an owner who hadn’t paid the players on time for the whole of last season. The pitch went to shit and there were internal conflicts. He wasn’t the reason we went down.  #stfc

There's actually quite a few Oldham fans on the internet speaking out in favour of Wellens.

I bet Southend fans did the same about Brown?

I bet Southend fans did the same about Brown?

There's actually quite a few Oldham fans on the internet speaking out in favour of Wellens.

I bet Southend fans did the same about Brown?

Appointing Wellens is a bit like opening a present at Xmas and finding out you've got socks, exactly the same socks as you already have, which you hate, and they give you Aids.

Shrewsbury have just sacked their manager, it looks like it's that time of year.

I guess we know where Paul Hurst is going then..

Too easy to moan and say 'shit manager, shit appointment'. Lets give him a chance and see what he can do.

There's actually quite a few Oldham fans on the internet speaking out in favour of Wellens.

It will have gone in as favourite because someone put £5 on it. If Richie Welles’s is our new manager I’ll eat my own dick

In fairness as Reg will probably tell us, Wellens has experience of getting a club relegated which is exactly what we need right now.

I suppose we're the equivalent of a Southern Oldham.

Well, I've seen enough to make me think it isn't as bad an appointment as on face value. I'm feeling a bit better about it.

You'd better have this one right, Power.

Can't get over how shit the TEF is about this. We're 18th in the 4th Division and you're already laying the boot into the new man. It's not like we're boxing above our weight is it?

By chance, I heard him on the World Service Sportsworld programme a couple of weeks back and he sounded pretty articulate, said that he'd rebuilt unity in a divided dressing-room, turned things around playing attractive football, then they got injuries and the pitch went to mud in the winter and no-one adapted well. Which seems to be pretty much what the fans said.

Like any new signing, he's got my support until I've got evidence to the contrary. And usually for a bit after that too.

Power’s previous appointments at least had some logic behind them. Cooper already in place and seen as pliable - Ditto Williams. Ling was a punt purely for health reasons.

Flitcroft had got a club promoted from L2 and Brown had years of experience and some success.

How on earth did he come by Wellens? Sounds very much like a ‘mate recommended him’ appointment.

We have both been on a similar downward rollercoaster path since the Premier League days although they average just over 4k attendances and ours is around 50% higher.

Well he won't have the excuse of a shit pitch here... and as WB said, he won't get a honeymon period.

Might well have been one of the attractions for him. The pitch is the only part of the current set-up that's above our station.

I look forward to a mod changing your user title any time now...

Wellens is probably one of those who needs a job, and let's face it with a relegation as your only experience on the CV, that isn't likely to attract too many takers.

Of course it's a worry, because if he fucks this one up it's non league for us... unless we can rely of Macc and presently Cheltnumb to be even worse.

Oldham do pretty well to get that many given the proximity of Prem clubs and the divided nature of the place..

You are going to have one hell of a party when we eventually go down aren't you?

I don’t think Power wants us to get relegated but I don’t think he’d throw any extra resources into a relegation battle to make sure we stayed up.

If the plan was to sack Brown & appoint Wellens I’d rather we’d just spent the Brown pay off money on a striker.

Bogus Dick?

Its going to need more Baby Oil that's for sure.....

Its going to need more Baby Oil that's for sure.....

I'm here with my head in my hands, how much fucking worse can LP make our club. Anyone who's free should be our new club motto, along with some latin transcript nonleagueus maximus. Its just a joke, I'm almost lost for words. Shocking appointment like all the other from our leader. Everytime I get a little excited at the possibility we may have turned a corner it doesn't last 24 hrs. January and well be looking again for another free signing manager, whilst only being a couple of places and points off the drop zone. Is the chairman after another, gone down ballon payment, to keep us going? Grim, just fucking grim.

You are going to have one hell of a party when we eventually go down aren't you?

Can anyone come up with a single name (has to be remotely realistic of course) that anyone else would find anything other then 'underwhelming'? I doubt it.

I'm not commenting on Richie Wellens as I know nothing about him.

I look forward to a mod changing your user title any time now...

Richie Wellens will get us into the playoffs as a minimum this srason. Quote me on it, dick or no dick

I'm buying shares in Kleenex as a hedge

Look at the Conference South, could be quite appetising"

You have the GWR derbies - Bath & Chippenham
Something to appeal to a global audience with a game against Slough, which could invoke a one off Office Special
The real A420 Debry
Fitton would have loved the Hungerford games
Gloucester City should be much more winnable than the games against their near neighbours seem to be, although Reg would miss those, so hopefully they follow us down
And Torquay can swap anecdotes about dodgy Speedway Stadium developers

Dont understand why so many are throwing their toys out of the pram!  It is not an awe inspiring appointment I agree, but neither have performances under Brown.  As for people saying they will not attend again I think we have been down that route before.  Give the guys a few games before the knives are out, I for one would have preferred to have seem a more high profile manager but we are not in the position to attract that kind of appointment.  The four of us will be there on Saturday in our usual seats to witness the first game under them.

I'm actually warming to it.

Another northern journeyman takes the helm. What does this remind me of? What can possibly go wrong?

I am was already on a downer with the club, have been for a good 3 or 4 years and then I just read through this thread, looking at the some of the posts and the names being touted and just posted my feelings.. 

I used to love following the town, and I miss caring, but seeing names like Wellens etc. being banded about just made me realise the club is unrecognisable from the club I grew up watching and from the days that I would check the adver and TEF before I did anything else in the day.  A new manager would have in the past lead me to having the TEF open all day constantly pressing F5, it couldn't be further from the truth now.. My days of owning a being a season ticket holder and looking forward to every Saturday are long gone.  I am desperate to get my mojo back, but every corner we turn I just feel like I am getting further away from that day.  It really is depressing, for me anyway, I know that is not te case for everyone.

Interesting. Young and hopefully made all his learning curve balls ups at Oldham and we reap the benefit. Who wants a first time surgeon?

Can anyone come up with a single name (has to be remotely realistic of course) that anyone else would find anything other then 'underwhelming'? I doubt it.

I'm not commenting on Richie Wellens as I know nothing about him.

I'll still be there with my ST no matter who the manager is.  It will be interesting.

Appreciate that isn’t a name and very wishful thinking - when looking around for people who could potentially fit that description I found Big Duncan Ferguson. Now whether he’d ever want to leave Everton to have a crack at management I don’t know.

Imagine the phone ins...

"What is your favourite cheese?"
"Fuck off"

Whilst Wellens has only had one job, so doesn’t quite fit into the same mould...

I want someone different; someone who hasn’t been around the block and failed multiple times. Someone who has retired, stayed in the game and has been slowly learning their trade at a decent level who wants a first time crack at management. Someone who played at the top level and thus had to keep to very high standards of diet & training

It would also be nice to have someone with a bit of authority & fear factor.




Appreciate that isn’t a name and very wishful thinking - when looking around for people who could potentially fit that description I found Big Duncan Ferguson. Now whether he’d ever want to leave Everton to have a crack at management I don’t know.

He’d certainly take no shit!

As with everything STFC related, I am always minded to await official confirmation before getting too excited. However, I do feel Wellens would be a sensible appointment. He’s probably looking at us as a possible stepping stone to return to League 1 - should he keep us up I expect he’ll attract interest from teams above us in the pyramid. It makes sense all round seeing as we are bringing in a gaffer with experience of a relegation battle and being at the helm of a basket case club.

Hunt as chief cone gatherer is an interesting one....I had hoped for Paul Jewell, a proper football man, but given Power has paid off two contracts I think I was always being slightly optimistic.

:)

 You're ITK Chang.... is this Noel Hunt, anything to do with Waterford or the fella who caused Cech to wear the rugby cap?

:)

 You're ITK Chang.... is this Noel Hunt, anything to do with Waterford or the fella who caused Cech to wear the rugby cap?

That was Stephen Hunt

Whilst Wellens has only had one job, so doesn’t quite fit into the same mould...

I want someone different; someone who hasn’t been around the block and failed multiple times. Someone who has retired, stayed in the game and has been slowly learning their trade at a decent level who wants a first time crack at management. Someone who played at the top level and thus had to keep to very high standards of diet & training

It would also be nice to have someone with a bit of authority & fear factor.

He’d certainly take no shit!

Journeyman?

He's only managed one club previously.

He’s at Waterford so already on Power’s payroll. Wigan wanted to keep him at the end of last season, which would suggest he should do a job in League 2 if called upon.

I have no doubt Wellens will put the hours in/work hard

looking forward to hearing him talk, id given up with the season with brown- hit and miss every week.

7 points from playoffs, still in 2 cups. every chance this could be turned around and have some fun this season.

This is one of the areas where Power falls down... why not have a meet and greet session down the CG for the new gaffer, where he can outline his thoughts and then answer questions.

I remember this happening when McMahon was appointed.... after the questions I thought he was going to smack me one as he got redder and angrier.  I sought him out during the informal drinks session, at the end just to check that I hadn't offended him  :)

Iffy once did one also, although he may have subbed for King, so it was all about youth development.

Has it been confirmed yet by the club?

im quite certain that clubs have press conferences where such conversations can happen. dont need an open day mid season

A quick glance of the official site tells us no.

A quick glance of the official site tells us no.

Not sure if it has already been posted or not, but I saw this on twitter from an Oldham fan. It certainly looks like their chairman didn't exactly help things last season.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5808305/The-story-Oldham-Athletics-financial-troubles-mystifying-transfers-unpaid-wages.html

Not sure if it has already been posted or not, but I saw this on twitter from an Oldham fan. It certainly looks like their chairman didn't exactly help things last season.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5808305/The-story-Oldham-Athletics-financial-troubles-mystifying-transfers-unpaid-wages.html

Despite their basket casery, they're still above us in the league... as are Charlton, Blackpool,and Cov who are also reckoned to be badly run.

Good point Reg, we keep going on about how bad other clubs are run but look at our own.What a fucking car crash.
We're changing our manager every 6 months, not a well run club to be doing that are we.

Are either Taylor or Richards older than  our new leader?

How many have Watford had in the past 5 years?  This consistency things is not all it's cracked up to be these days.  I reckon radical change every 6 months might just be a solution.

flitcroft left us.
Brown deserved to be sacked.

Criticised for failing to act decisively and then when he acts decisively criticised for changing managers every 6 months.

Easy this job isn't it

How many have Watford had in the past 5 years?  This consistency things is not all it's cracked up to be these days.  I reckon radical change every 6 months might just be a solution.

widely held view that Power only wants cash and wants us relegated

Looking at Sky odds Wellens is drifting. Was 1/8 and now 2/7 with Noel Hunt shortening. If we are confident that it is Wellens then there is some money to be had but maybe Power is having some fun in wanting to see the fan meltdown

I don't think we're anywhere near the mess off the field some would have us believe. In fact, I suspect we're probably in better shape than we have been for a long, long time. Granted, I don't actually know this but neither do those that claim otherwise.

If only some of the managerial appointments bore fruit, things would be looking much better and if you blame for Flitcroft, Brown or Ling then you're just being unreasonable. It's true that the buck stops with Power but he's made a much-needed change. Some people chose to moan about that as well, though. Some were moaning about us 'constantly' changing managers even before Wellen's name popped up. What the fuck is he supposed to do?

As for Wellens... It's about time Power had some luck where managers are concerned. I've got a feeling he can do a good job.

Now lets get behind him!

Wellens confirmed (Twitter)

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2018/november/wellens-joins-as-new-manager/

Sadly for many that will be with a knife grasped in their hand.

I'm dead against this appointment as it stands. madness.

But you have to cut the guy some slack and give him the season to see what he's about.

It's going to be very difficult to significantly lift us before January with the squad we have.

I don't think we'll go down, so playing players in position, dropping non performers and injecting some pace and purpose to our attack is what I'll judge him on.

a last concern is that this is Power saying 'I've tried it with proper established managers, but it's not worked so it's back to the Swindon way (the Williams model)'. time will tell

I disagree with your Cooper assessment. I think there was meddling from Williams/Power, he had a strop, Power relented and handed over total control then hung him with his own rope at the first opportunity. I've based this on snippets of info I remember at the time.

To be fair, Cooper wasn't too bad; In fact excluding the caretakers I think Williams was his only major mess up. Even then it probably fitted his buy em cheap and stack em high recruitment policy.
--
I do think thought that they are hamstrung by our constantly last minute recruitment. But that's another argument.

I'm dead against this appointment as it stands. madness.

But you have to cut the guy some slack and give him the season to see what he's about.

It's going to be very difficult to significantly lift us before January with the squad we have.

I don't think we'll go down, so playing players in position, dropping non performers and injecting some pace and purpose to our attack is what I'll judge him on.

a last concern is that this is Power saying 'I've tried it with proper established managers, but it's not worked so it's back to the Swindon way (the Williams model)'. time will tell

This won't be popular, but looking back....

Mark Cooper 2013–2015 - In post for c.2 years, did OK then things essentially ran their course, fans got on his back and Power responded and got rid.
Lee Power 2015 (caretaker) - Short term and a bit shambolic while tried to find someone.
Martin Ling 2015 - -Appointment that was welcomed by fans and seemed a really good fit, went to shit through no fault of anyone.
Luke Williams 2015–2017 - Would never have got the job if the Ling thing hadn't gone tits up, was an interesting and risky appointment, although could be said to address our fans clamour for young  upcoming managers, went tits up, fans got restless and sacked, although Power was possibly a bit too loyal in dragging it out*.
David Flitcroft 2017–2018 - Manager who had record of success in this division, given a budget and fucked off at the first availability;
Matt Taylor 2018 (player-caretaker) - Only one game, who knows, filled a gap.
Phil Brown 2018 - High profile and I imagine didn't come cheap, has record of success albeit a while back, allowed to bring staff in and also sign some players, hardly a cheap uninspiring option.

So out of that only 3 have been sacked and in every case at the time when the fans were calling for their head, then immediately slating Power for adhering to their calls.

BTW that's 7 managers in five years (Which is a bit shit but sadly par for the course in modern football), so looking back to the Black/Fitton era when everything was wonderful, that's also 5 years and we had 7 or 8 managers in that time, I don't recall the same level of fuss then?

* Interesting that many berate chairman of other clubs for being too trigger happy in that thread and then berate Power for not being so, its almost like the guy cannot win.

I agree with you Batch.

Personally if he hasn't got us promotion wrapped up to League One by end of January I'm going to boo the fuck out of him

I assume we can't afford a safe pair of hands,

genuine answer, don't know. how can I answer that without knowing budget, managerial salary expectations and interested parties.

I'd persist with Brown if Richie Wellens is the best we can attract. I think power had it right in type of manager, just didn't work out. I assume we can't afford a safe pair of hands, which haas left us to a massive risk.

In fact its the risk that is the main issue. Oddly I'd be more at ease with this if we were in L1 with the L2 safety net.

Its akin to a tightrope walker doing another high rope with no safety net. Last time he fell off he says because the rope was wobbled by someone. This time its well secure so it'll be great. He may be right, but ...
---
this shouldn't be confused with not hoping he does well. of course I do.

but, give the fans 3 points on Saturday and a rare home win, and he'll get most on board.

It could be that he overachieved at Oldham, they really were a box of frogs of a club at the time. Context is everything.

He shouldn't be under that pressure. Its unrealistic to expect him to magic us into a good team overnight.

I bet your missus dreads serving up your dinner every night Batch, you must give her a right earful.

Play high tempo, pressing football. Empower the young attacking players and believe in them, and let's see what happens between now and January.

I assume we can't afford a safe pair of hands, which haas left us to a massive risk.

But again this just doesn't stack up, Brown (a potentially safe pair of very tanned hands) will not have come cheap, he has the pedigree to ask a decent whack, then you have the costs of paying him and McDonald off, I cannot see any evidence that sacking him and appointing Wellans is a cheap or cost saving option.

I'm dead against this appointment as it stands. madness.

But you have to cut the guy some slack and give him the season to see what he's about.

It's going to be very difficult to significantly lift us before January with the squad we have.

I don't think we'll go down, so playing players in position, dropping non performers and injecting some pace and purpose to our attack is what I'll judge him on.

a last concern is that this is Power saying 'I've tried it with proper established managers, but it's not worked so it's back to the Swindon way (the Williams model)'. time will tell

This, but give him past January to judge.

Hopefully the first thing he realises is that Richards isn't a target man striker

Everyone has their own opinions but he's there and we've gotta get on with it regardless of how people feel.

I make no apologies for at this time thinking Richie Wellens is a crap replacement for Brown.
Don't like it. Tough shit.

Fair comment.  I just asummed the budget isn't there for 2 x established manager salary. We don't know what Brown's contract looked like and don't know if he got much of a pay off I suppose.

Absolutely right. It is what it is. When I'm in the ground its to support.

It's a great gig for RW. I, like many, think this squad is better than 17th in L2. There's also a decent fanbase (despite the loud minority, but most of those are boycotting for one reason or another) desperate for some attacking football and one that should respond positively to a couple of wins and a bit of attacking threat.

Play high tempo, pressing football. Empower the young attacking players and believe in them, and let's see what happens between now and January.

Sounds so easy doesn't it and sometimes funny things happen.... but mostly they don't. I'd guess you count Keshi and Kaiyne as young attackers. Is believing in them though enough, I'm sure all their gaffers have given instructions about being positive.

Yet both are 23.... Kaiyne has 8 career league goals... Keshi 11.  Don Rogers had around a hundred aged 23.  It's just as likely they'll never get any better at sticking the ball in the net. Which is why you go to the % game.... Brown could see that and so opted for playing that way in recent weeks.

Batch is right on the current situation.

Unlike you to join the pitchfork brigade on the basis of very little evidence Batch. I had you down as someone who'd give a new manager a fair chance.

You alright?

You haven't got a clue have you, you have to flounce a bit claim you are never going to attend ever again...



- and then quietly do so and hope no one notices.

No one's right or wrong on the current situation Reg.

If we start playing more attacking players and be more positive, there's a chance he can turn this around, so let's see what happens.

Under Brown, it was the worst I've seen us.

Unfortunately that is the nature of our fan base at present. This won’t be easy for him to begin with but he was a leader as a player and I expect a leader off the field. He will be delighted woth the talent we have in midfield and if he can sort the strikeforce out in January then we could have a sniff of the playoffs still

Can you show me an example of the fans being blamed for this?

Unlike you to join the pitchfork brigade on the basis of very little evidence Batch. I had you down as someone who'd give a new manager a fair chance.

You alright?

The one i quoted for start. Ok it is not blaming as such but as soon as fans voice a concern these days they are shouted down and get abuse and classed as the worse there is.

It's not voicing concern though is it, that Facebook group is literally one step away from foaming at the mouth with that twat Christian Kostiuk as their little ring leader. Everything they post is Power out this and Power out that and if you ask them what the alternative is you get called a happy clapper.

It's not voicing concern though is it, that Facebook group is literally one step away from foaming at the mouth with that twat Christian Kostiuk as their little ring leader. Everything they post is Power out this and Power out that and if you ask them what the alternative is you get called a happy clapper.

It's not voicing concern though is it, that Facebook group is literally one step away from foaming at the mouth with that twat Christian Kostiuk as their little ring leader. Everything they post is Power out this and Power out that and if you ask them what the alternative is you get called a happy clapper.

By all means protest his running of the club, there's plenty to be unhappy about. Nobody has to like it and people are free to say so.

If they actually want him removed, though, then there HAS to be an alternative.

Fact. We were pretty dire under PB. With no sign of improvement

Fact Lowest ever position since 2 centuries have passed

Fact Power has acted fast, no dilly dallying to try to rectify our form.

Fact new guy hasn't even taken a training session.

 Lets wait and see if he's any good before people pop veins. Power might have said give me 10 games to show you are the right guy.

I'm just looking forward to hopefully seeing some tactical nous, and natural ability complement the effort, we know the players can give.

Have we ever had an alternative before they announced they are selling? I want him to leave because the last 5 years have been the worse in my time supporting the club. I want us to have some one better running the club. Protests etc are what lead to the alternative persons coming forward

Have we ever had an alternative before they announced they are selling?

If they actually want him removed, though, then there HAS to be an alternative.

Feel really sorry for Phil Brown , shit on from a great height !! Power is the problem , god help our great club . Power is killing the club . Really can’t see us recovering from this shit for many years . Power piss off we don’t want a fat slug like you at our proud club

I've seen some on that FB group, though, say that nobody could be worse than Power. That's just plain idiotic.

Exactly.

One typical post from FB today...

There is NO alternative at the moment, none, nothing, no one, no fairy godfather, no multi millionaire with money to burn, no offers, no viable alternative and until there is we have Power in charge.

I am 100% certain that if anyone came in with a bid that covered the cost of his investment (plus maybe a little on top) then he would sell up straight away.

Some of the idiots on FB say "well no one will buy the club until he puts it up for offer" I think thats utter bullshit.

If someone is interested they will make an offer no matter if the club is "up for sale" or not, also he would hardly say "come make me an offer, I am desperate to rid myself of this millstone around my neck" as thats inviting derisory offers in stating he wants rid of the club, which I am sure he probably does as long as he covers his investment plus a little extra, which I think is very reasonable.

Many many of our fans have to realise that we are no longer a large/medium size club, we are a slightly larger than small club now which is why we are where we are in the league we are now in, we have only been to the top division once for a single season (legally) in our 139 years.

Its pretty clear that nobody wants to buy us, we are no great pull, no catch, but Power is getting us to a point that we are sustainable and with zero debts which will put us into a better position for when he does eventually sell us, much more appealing to a potential buyer if we are debt free and (joint) owning our own ground too will add to the saleability.

Any protest would need to be along the lines of: Get the fuck out of our club now, but please be nice and make sure you are selling up to the right person when doing so.

As if! There's a Monty Python sketch in there somewhere.

I've never been so disappointed with a managers appointment in my life, he may turn out OK but my gut tells me he's going to be about the same as PB. What a sad place my club has become, gates of sub 4000 and falling, that's why there's no money and it will continue to be so. Can't get over what a shit start to the week this is, by the time Bellends has worked out what the squads like we're going to be down in the brown stuff. Can't dress this up any better, our leader just keeps getting the management appointment wrong. Or perhaps that's the design. The sun may be shinning outside but its not in my STFC heart and there's only so many times someone can piss down my back,tell me its raining and I believe them.

I would certainly like to hear from our esteemed chairman on why he decided to dispense with Brown now, and explain the reasoning behind the appointment of Wellens and how why appoint so quick rather than waiting to see who applies and then appointing Wellens anyway.

I sure the usual silence will continue though or he wil lsend his his aussie mate to talk to the press.

I will give Wellens my support, but I'm not overjoyed about his appointment

I would certainly like to hear from our esteemed chairman on why he decided to dispense with Brown now, and explain the reasoning behind the appointment of Wellens and how why appoint so quick rather than waiting to see who applies and then appointing Wellens anyway.

I sure the usual silence will continue though or he wil lsend his his aussie mate to talk to the press.

I will give Wellens my support, but I'm not overjoyed about his appointment

Bellends

I've never been so disappointed with a managers appointment in my life, he may turn out OK but my gut tells me he's going to be about the same as PB. What a sad place my club has become, gates of sub 4000 and falling, that's why there's no money and it will continue to be so. Can't get over what a shit start to the week this is, by the time Bellends has worked out what the squads like we're going to be down in the brown stuff. Can't dress this up any better, our leader just keeps getting the management appointment wrong. Or perhaps that's the design. The sun may be shinning outside but its not in my STFC heart and there's only so many times someone can piss down my back,tell me its raining and I believe them.

I've never been so disappointed with a managers appointment in my life, he may turn out OK but my gut tells me he's going to be about the same as PB. What a sad place my club has become, gates of sub 4000 and falling, that's why there's no money and it will continue to be so. Can't get over what a shit start to the week this is, by the time Bellends has worked out what the squads like we're going to be down in the brown stuff. Can't dress this up any better, our leader just keeps getting the management appointment wrong. Or perhaps that's the design. The sun may be shinning outside but its not in my STFC heart and there's only so many times someone can piss down my back,tell me its raining and I believe them.

I'm more surprised by those questioning the sacking of Brown than those attacking the appointment of Wellens. I don't know how anyone who has watched a game under Brown can think that he should be given money to spend in January, and more time.

Hopefully Wellens has a plan and we can find a way to execute it well.

No issue with Brown going.
Next appointment needed a galvanising effect.
Wellens has not done that. A few people have bought up some positives from his time at Oldham which suggest he did well under the circumstances; ok fine.
If that is the case then why did Oldham get rid?

The 3 facts are sound enough. The OS tells us a contract until 2020..... so taking that at face value no trial period.

Wellens had a decent caretaker spell at Oldham, it turned to shit when he got a full time contract.

What's tactical nous? For example, it seems to me if the pitch turns to shit, tactical nous dictates you play a different style, more suited to conditions rather than blunder on with an ill fitting style.   Wellens says this is his style.... yes OK, he doesn't even know the players.

I've always been minded with something Pulis said about going into a new club struggling.... you look at the players and think, what can they do? Where are their strengths and weaknesses, then  build from that.  By implication what you don't do is say this is how I want you to play.... if the players cannot. It's back to Luke, naivity, try and play like Barca, with players more suited to Barnet.

Applying your tactical nous, and all fans think they have some..... what would you do with our current crop assuming they'e all fit?

Life as an optimist is not always very easy especially if affection comes in the nature of supporting STFC but who the fuck is Wellens…?? Can`t prejudge the man who has rarely managed...perhaps he will be a real find...in some ways he can`t be worse than Phil Brown who just didn`t get this team going and I believe their is enough talent in the squad to get us into the play offs but not with him. He arrived and we dropped out of the play offs so let`s see what the mysterious Wellens is made of...

Crist were scaping the barrel for positives..."the positive is that if Wellens doesn't give us a bounce, there is still time to appoint a replacement in time to use the January transfer window". Who do you have in mind as a before Jan replacement if this one goes Pete Tong?  Zidan, Van Gaal, Eddie Howe or flop from Liverpool. LP would sign another free,cheap shite option like all his others. The only plus would be that we'd get a new record for managers in a season, its like death by a thousand slashes, slow calculated agony.

I know it was rhetorical, but, he's a product of the Man Utd Academy, had a pretty decent career playing across the league levels including games in the top flight, he studied for his UEFA coaching license while playing, taking on coaching activities at Man Utd and, over the course of nearly a season, managed a mid table style effort with Oldham who had 4 points from 9 games when he took over.  Hope that helps.

Opinion: He seems very similar to Flitcroft, I am hoping for more!

I bet you are a right hoot at parties.

Depends on how much I've had to drink and what the available arse is like.

Another concern for me is Hunt.... this stinks of Power. Do Wellens and Hunt have any links or is this just Power using the fact Wellens will be grateful to have a job, and so lumbering him with Hunt for Waterford business.

That and his statement that Reading was his favourite club

 Another concern for me is Hunt.... this stinks of Power. Do Wellens and Hunt have any links or is this just Power using the fact Wellens will be grateful to have a job, and so lumbering him with Hunt for Waterford business.

that point was brought up in the emergency podcast too.

was talking to another TEF'r about it. we've been linked with a few Irish youngsters recently in the press. Do you think Hunt is here to deal with that side having done it himself years ago?


(no the youngsters weren't at Waterford)

I've no idea which is why I'm asking... if Power has just chucked these 2 together, then it's a very bad sign, and orange hats should be readied for a winter of discontent.

Another concern for me is Hunt.... this stinks of Power. Do Wellens and Hunt have any links or is this just Power using the fact Wellens will be grateful to have a job, and so lumbering him with Hunt for Waterford business.

that point was brought up in the emergency podcast too.

was talking to another TEF'r about it. we've been linked with a few Irish youngsters recently in the press. Do you think Hunt is here to deal with that side having done it himself years ago?


(no the youngsters weren't at Waterford)

Wellens has a link to Power via Paul Jewell, who was Wellens initial assistant at Oldham. Paul's stint at Oldham didn't last long, but he is a close friend of Power's and may have seen something in Richie at Oldham to pass on a suggestion....

Still doesn't explain Hunt... Jewell's kid was scout or something for a while, may still be for all I know coincided with recruitment turning to shit, so that bit of nepotism didn't turn out so good.

Still doesn't explain Hunt... Jewell's kid was scout or something for a while, may still be for all I know coincided with recruitment turning to shit, so that bit of nepotism didn't turn out so good.

Decent read

http://d3d4football.com/swindon-town-appoint-richie-wellens-an-oldham-fans-view/

a response to that article on the Oldham forum:

 
  
I think he’ll struggle or be nothing more than ok.  
  
 

Sounds somewhat similar to Flitcroft

Underwhelming appointment. Feels a bit Flitcroft lite (and not in weight). That's really saying something.

Not going to write him off but if he were to fail, then Power can fall on his sword.

Sounds somewhat similar to Flitcroft

The new gaffer has spoken. https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/17221205.richie-wellens-aims-for-promotion-after-being-named-as-swindon-towns-new-manager/

Just standard football manager speak really.

am I reading too much into this:

"The remit in my contract is to get the club promoted.”

actually what does that even mean, he's contacted to to get us promotion? I doubt it!

because he's got a 2 year contract, promotion is unlikely this year so I don't see what purpose it would serve

Yep. The old we're too big for this league bollocks...

because he's got a 2 year contract, promotion is unlikely this year so I don't see what purpose it would serve

I thought our natural league position was the league above? Plus we have the 3rd highest attendance in the league despite being in a relegation battle and it beats half of league 1. I'd say we are too big to be in this league. doesn't mean that we don't deserve to be where we are however 

As i said before it might be broken into segments 20 points after 10 games 30 after 15 etc, he might have taken it to get us up this year. People will agree to anything when a job's on offer. Tough ask, but 6 months money  is better than 0 months. Equally this time next year if we have 15 points from 20 games we wont be going upwards and the contact will say that. I'm pretty sure PB will have been on the same, and reached a critical point a few games back and set wheels in motion. The appointment didn't happen in 24 hours, this was well in advance when a target wasn't met.

7 points off the POs in November shouldn’t prevent any club from targeting promotion

3rd relegation to the basement in 12 years, indicates that we've slipped from our previous natural position. Our larger gates don't seem to give us much of a financial advantage over the rest.

As I've said before if you're Sunderland and get 30,000 in Div 3, as opposed to the sides who get 3000, then it's probably fair to say you're too big for the league.

no of course not. it was mention of it being in the contract that surprised me.

if your using 12 years as a random marker then our average league position is surely still league 1 and not league 2?

we are not playing like a big club which I have said but there is no denying it in league 2 terms we are whether you like it or not.

3rd relegation to the basement in 12 years, indicates that we've slipped from our previous natural position. Our larger gates don't seem to give us much of a financial advantage over the rest.

As I've said before if you're Sunderland and get 30,000 in Div 3, as opposed to the sides who get 3000, then it's probably fair to say you're too big for the league.

am I reading too much into this:

"The remit in my contract is to get the club promoted.”

actually what does that even mean, he's contacted to to get us promotion? I doubt it!

if your using 12 years as a random marker then our average league position is surely still league 1 and not league 2?

we are not playing like a big club which I have said but there is no denying it in league 2 terms we are whether you like it or not.

Reg sort of has a point. what area the units in 'too big'?

fanbase and history, unarguably so.

budget, probably not.

potential to grow, I guess so. though probably not any time soon.

yippee, maybe Wellens will work out after all.

Newport are 2-0 up.

It was in reference to this "bollocks" from Wellen- .

I know this sounds hackneyed and a bit dewy eyed, but supporting STFC over a lot of years it always felt I was supporting a club that was a bit special, a bit different than the other lower league opponents.

Win a League Cup, could, and should, have made 2 more Finals, reach the dizzy heights of the PL, 100% winning record at the old Wembley, even the 100% losing record at the new - we’ve still been there.

The realisation has now sunk in that we have become the same as those lower league clubs that have spent almost all their existence just treading water - just existing. Yes, important to their fans but that’s about it.

Its difficult to envisage the new fella revitalising the club - he’s no Macari, Ardiles or Hoddle who the fans can rally round.

Luton weren’t too happy appointing Nathan Jones, Lincoln likewise with Cowley. ‘Who the fuck are they?’ Was the general reaction.

So, until proven otherwise, Wellens will get my full support and if anyone decides to lumber him with the Bellends moniker he/she should be banned.

I am the original Bellend!

best post yet

Decent read

http://d3d4football.com/swindon-town-appoint-richie-wellens-an-oldham-fans-view/

A very generous piece.

I think he’ll struggle or be nothing more than ok.  He won’t get anywhere near the Money Abdallah threw at it for the first few months, and the ‘exciting football’ literally lasted for six games. His constant whingeing and excuses began to grate very quickly. Did he have issues to deal with- yes. But what lower league manager doesn’t? As a comparison- I’ve not heard Bunn mention once that his number two has been sacked, despite the fact it must be killing him- It’s called professionalism. Ritchie struggled with that.

Swindon have a got a manager who flatters to deceive IMO. Will blame ANYTHING he can for a defeat, or loss of form. He will demand Swindon ‘some him their ambition’ by signing players they can’t afford because he can’t get a tune out of what’s there or more likely who he’s already signed.

As singe says- look at his first quote on signing. . . Enough said.  "Richie Wellens after being appointed Swindon Town manager: "I had my first job at Oldham, which was going fantastically well, but the pitch deteriorated very badly and I had to change the way I played.""

I wish him nothing but the best

He fucking relegated us.

The fuck is he supposed to say? 'I made a right hash of my last job and shouldn't have had any chance of getting this one' .... Come on.

Jesus! Far too kind a few good games in the honeymoon period then a downward trend. After that he blamed everyone but himself

He could of said.

I like to play attractive football, but I learnt from my time at Oldham that’s not always achievable with the pitches in the lower leagues, so it’s important we can adapt our style to the conditions as and when we need to.
Instead he said


One sounds positive and ready to learn from mistakes.

The other sounds bitter and resentful, and accepts no personal responsibility. 

He shouldn't have blamed the pitch. Just, as L1E says, learned a lot , tricky time, first job etc.

And for 3 reasons

1) The pitch is always the same for both sides
2) Everyone's cut up somewhat after the weather we had.
3) We also played away from home, no change in tactics there.
4) He is admitted he can't scrap for a scruffy win, every team needs to do that. You can't play on carpets every week.

Some of the football under Wellens was the best i have seen from an Oldham side in years.

He will not be anywhere near as hamstrung as he was here.

Tenner going on Swindon to go up.

The football second half of the season was us shambolically playing long ball to Doyle with our best playmaker stuck out wide not being involved.

I do think it is worrying when in his first interview a manager is blaming the pitch for a loss of form.

However it might be what Power needs in terms of his Waterford project

It's fine if he thinks we can play all games here

Some good some bad some indifferent.

Only time will tell, good luck to him even if he wasn't most fans 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice, he may work he may not, fingers crossed it works out for us all.

At home you play to your own strengths. If you are unable to do that, for whatever reason, then you are going to struggle.

Obviously when you are away you need to adapt but for a team that was going to be struggling regardless, it was always going to be difficult for them to pick up points on the road. What's more is that we are not the only team in the division that has a decent pitch.

Do you ever get paranoid about your paranoia?

Surely that's a fair enough question.

Try and stick to the issues.... why is Power parachuting in a Waterford player to be our cone carrier? 

It may be as simple as Hunt is being paid by Power, so he thinks he might as well get some graft out of him til Feb, by which time we should have a clearer idea where the seaon is heading.

Because he has was an Assistant Manager?  Power knows his level of ability/performance?  Wellens was cool with it?

I do think it is worrying when in his first interview a manager is blaming the pitch for a loss of form.

Am I missing something?  Like an interview for example? (Honest question).

I know he brought up the pitch at Oldham when he left there, but I hadn't seem him reference it in regards to getting the job here.

If he did bring it up, maybe the CG pitch was a selling point for what he wants to do with a team, so it is a good thing?  One of the Oldham comments suggests it happened to most teams, well, our pitch has been a bowling green for a few years, so a good place to come and manage if you want to try playing the ball on the ground.

I had my first job at Oldham, which was going fantastically well, but the pitch deteriorated very badly and I had to change the way I played.

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2018/november/wellens-joins-as-new-manager/

See, completely missed he was  player-assistant manager at Waterford. At least he has some experience.

Because he has was an Assistant Manager?  Power knows his level of ability/performance?  Wellens was cool with it?

Ta, so very much in the context of why he wanted to take this job.

Ta, so very much in the context of why he wanted to take this job.

You may as well face it.... this is Power going back to the old Luke style dictatorship, with a coach who does what he's told or tough shit.

I don't have any issue with that approach, if that is what is being taken.  Two tried and tested total control Managers have done little.  No one way has a right to be the right one - this might be a morphed version.  Did it work under Williams, clearly not, did this season work under Brown, clearly not.  I have no strong feelings on Wellens, we shall see how it pans out.  I remain of the opinion that a decent person in charge should have this team competing for the top seven (not top three).  He clearly has been told he will be judged in that fashion as well.

I think Batch pointed out the consequences of the failed model Div 3 was Div 4..... and therein lies the danger of a repeat.

Wellens will need at least 4 wins and a couple of draws into mid Jan, to keep us around 16th/17th, that's from 10 games.  That want be easy

I think Batch pointed out the consequences of the failed model Div 3 was Div 4..... and therein lies the danger of a repeat.

If Power really has little interest in preserving our league status, why sack Brown? Surely a change of manager indicates some level of ‘care’.

It doesn’t matter what nefarious intentions he may have - they will be better served in the FL than out of it.

If Power really has little interest in preserving our league status, why sack Brown? Surely a change of manager indicates some level of ‘care’.

It doesn’t matter what nefarious intentions he may have - they will be better served in the FL than out of it.

Keeping Brown would have been a gamble. Appointing any new manager is a gamble. But doing it a few weeks before the transfer window is the best time to do it.

he's still got us staying up by 4 points. :-)

That is very positive coming from Reg.

Indeed, he might be turning...positive?

Wellens' latest comments suggest quite clearly that recruitment is down to him. Not that that will stop the conspiracy theorists.

Wellens' latest comments suggest quite clearly that recruitment is down to him. Not that that will stop the conspiracy theorists.

Link please you Park Southian

Wellens' latest comments suggest quite clearly that recruitment is down to him. Not that that will stop the conspiracy theorists.

encouraging, especially talk of experience

really out of the loop here but is there any possibility that Noel Hunt could don his boots and perhaps do a "Richards" (last season's, not this!) for us?

New Swindon Town manager Richie Wellens "looked like he had won the lottery" when he was told he had got the job, says Robins chairman Lee Power.

The former Oldham Athletic boss, 38, was appointed on Tuesday, after the League Two club sacked Phil Brown.

Swindon are 17th in the table, seven points below the play-off places.

"He is the first manager I have had who was chomping at the bit and could not wait to [start], with a very infectious character," Power told BBC Wiltshire.

"He looked like he had won the lottery. That's how he comes across. I felt the football club needed that injection and needed a lift."

Wellens, who is the fifth different Swindon manager in three years, spent just under a season as Oldham boss, winning 14 of his 43 games in charge, but left in the summer after their relegation from League One on the final day.

"What he did at Oldham was quite incredible. He performed miracles there, just to keep them alive until the final day," Power continued.

"[Former Wigan and Derby boss] Paul Jewell spoke very highly of him. I'd spoken to Richie in the summer, when I was contemplating whether to renew Phil [Brown]'s stay or to make a change back then.

"But I felt it was only fair to give Phil a crack of the whip with his own players. So Richie's always been in the back of my mind."

Robins' form 'had gone stale' under Brown

Former Hull City and Southend United boss Brown succeeded David Flitcroft at the County Ground in March and led Swindon to a ninth-placed finish last season.

On dismissing the 59-year-old, Power added: "It was a difficult decision.

"When Phil came in last season, we thought we would definitely make the play-offs, if not try and get up automatically. That didn't work.

"In the summer, we sat down and Phil asked me to give him an opportunity with his own players. He felt that with his own group he could get us up this year.

"He worked hard and he's an honest man but ultimately it's a results business. It felt a bit sour and results weren't what they want to be.

"It looked like it had gone a bit stale. I think the change had to be made. He understood. I wish him well and I'm sure he'll be back in football soon."

First I have seen of it, copied below...

The Jewell comments will do nothing to dispel the ‘jobs for the boys’ comments, and I’d be interested to know Mr Smeeton’s thoughts on the apparent pre season ambition being a promotion bid rather than a stay in the league effort.

As far as I’m concerned, these are all sensible comments.

Speaking about joining Town, Sherwood said: “I’ve had other offers but this is an interesting project that I’ve had a close eye on for four years since I started loaning players into this football club,” he told the assembled media.


“Luke Williams is at the football club because of me, he was my recommendation, I came across him in the development phase of the game and I recommended him to Lee (Power).

I'd imagine that 8 goals from 30 odd games in the last 5 and a half years would clinch it for Power.

... if you build a squad for top 3 and fall a bit short, you still get PO's, if you build a side for 7th and slip up you're midtable... if as we seemed to do you build a side for mid table and slip up you're in trouble.

Chang nothing there which we hadn't deduced or knew as the TEF collective.  As for the promotion aim.... in the words of Mandy Rice-Davies much beloved of Tory politicians of old "well he would say that, wouldn't he"  

I prefer to look at pre-season squad development, and there was nothing suggesting a serious effort... if you build a squad for top 3 and fall a bit short, you still get PO's, if you build a side for 7th and slip up you're midtable... if as we seemed to do you build a side for mid table and slip up you're in trouble.

budget 2M, cut from a top 3 last year, to a top 5 this season, Power

I’d be interested to know Mr Smeeton’s thoughts

Please share your midtable budget information comparable with the rest of the league with us all.
you make it seem so easy. did Notts County set up for mid table?

budget 2M, cut from a top 3 last year, to a top 5 this season, Power

You can get a reasonable handle on respective spends by looking at the agents fees clubs dish out per season, as generally speaking the more money will be spent on what should be, but clearly always isn't, a higher grade of player... also the more of these players you need will also reflect... you would think that agents aren't involved in loans, but I suppose it's possible

 Clubs have to produce these figures.  We came in 16th in that list, and finished 9th. As has been said many times Accy and Wycombe did well with modest budgets, Cov and Luton's spends got them up, FGR's kept them up

ACCRINGTON STANLEY
£9,632
BARNET
£31,147
CAMBRIDGE UNITED
£42,449
CARLISLE UNITED
£38,470
CHELTENHAM TOWN
£33,123
CHESTERFIELD
£80,477
COLCHESTER UNITED
£41,617
COVENTRY CITY
£113,620
CRAWLEY TOWN
£4,680
CREWE ALEXANDRA
£9,388
EXETER CITY
£41,540
FOREST GREEN ROVERS
£70,846
GRIMSBY TOWN
£42,232
LINCOLN CITY
£28,549
LUTON TOWN
£75,525
MANSFIELD TOWN
£85,940
MORECAMBE
£8,801
NEWPORT COUNTY
£19,058
NOTTS COUNTY
£76,426
PORT VALE
£29,495
STEVENAGE
£17,420
SWINDON TOWN
£27,383
WYCOMBE WANDERERS
£7,311
YEOVIL TOWN
£23,840

perhaps he doesn't believe power?

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say some clubs won’t have a problem paying agents what they ask and others will have a limit they are prepare to pay.

Linking agent fees to budgets is a stretch to say the least. Plus people don’t have a clue what every club’s budget is, educated guess work at the best.

Power would be unlikely to know where our budget ranks in the division

Don’t clubs have to register their budgets with the EFL before the season starts? Don’t know if that info is confidential or available for anyone else to see.

I presume, speaking to Wellens, that Oldham’s budget of £1.4m in L1 is accurate.

Don’t clubs have to register their budgets with the EFL before the season starts? Don’t know if that info is confidential or available for anyone else to see.

I presume, speaking to Wellens, that Oldham’s budget of £1.4m in L1 is accurate.

I might be wrong, but don't players pay their agents when signing on?  I thought agent fees were the club paying an agent to do something for them.

Every time I hear Power speak - it does actually reassure me. It’s a shame nothing on the pitch follows.

I might be wrong, but don't players pay their agents when signing on?  I thought agent fees were the club paying an agent to do something for them.

I think i've heard all of his interviews. And call me a happy clapper, but the only thing i think he's guilty of, or poor at, is being unlucky.

I think i've heard all of his interviews. And call me a happy clapper, but the only thing i think he's guilty of, or poor at, is being unlucky.

Don't disagree with this.

I think his major cock up was the poor communication in the first couple of years, this created a chasm for rumours and conspiracy theories to build and as they say mud sticks.

Sherwood and Williams were very poor judgements though, wonder how close him and Sherwood are these days after the latters Teflon act?

I think i've heard all of his interviews. And call me a happy clapper, but the only thing i think he's guilty of, or poor at, is being unlucky.

It all stems from Luke Williams - which Power admitted was solely his mistake, especially as he didn’t particularly want the job.

Now, I don’t think the appointment, per se, was a mistake but because at the time he was still a kind of DoF and hands on, he needed a pliable fella like Luke to put up with it.

One other thing about that Power interview, and I know he is not that articulate at times, but when asked about his ‘judge me after 5 years’ statement he said ‘That 5 years is up next year and I hope I’ll have left the club at least in the position I found it’

Read anything into that or just Power rambling

It all stems from Luke Williams

Power was the devil incarnate before he appointed Williams. In fact, he was the devil incarnate before he even bought the club. Remember Fredi?

I think i've heard all of his interviews. And call me a happy clapper, but the only thing i think he's guilty of, or poor at, is being unlucky.

I think his major cock up was the poor communication in the first couple of years, this created a chasm for rumours and conspiracy theories to build and as they say mud sticks.

I agree, I think in the main he comes accross well in interviews despite what many Town fans seem to think of him, the devil incarnate.
Concurred.

I don't know any Town fans as it were on the ground, ie those who still go and mostly Swindon based, who have much time for Power. 

Same here. Not suggesting everyone is a foaming at the mouth Christian whassisface but don't know anyone who thinks very much at all of him

If offered in 2015 to have the chance to own the County Ground and our own training facility at cost of a few years in Div 4, I would have taken it.

If offered in 2015 to have the chance to own the County Ground and our own training facility at cost of a few years in Div 4, I would have taken it.

Absolutely.

Whether these come to fruition remains to be seen but if they do, Power could turn out to be one of the best owners we've ever had. He still wouldn't get credit from some, though.

The thing that makes me edgy is, if Reg is correct and Power owns Highworth and has a personal stake in the ground then if it all goes sour Power will have some rather substantial and long term fingers in the STFC pie which would not be an attractive proposition for any new potential chairman. It'd be like shagging your new bird whilst she's sucking off her ex.

He won't be forgiven by the FB lot until STFC's God given right to be League 1 or higher has been restored.

The thing that makes me edgy is, if Reg is correct and Power owns Highworth and has a personal stake in the ground then if it all goes sour Power will have some rather substantial and long term fingers in the STFC pie which would not be an attractive proposition for any new potential chairman. It'd be like shagging your new bird whilst she's sucking off her ex.

Conversely it could be argued that if getting some real estate, a new buyer wouldn't be able to get the club for a quid for a laugh.  It does of course, mean that proper pirates would be interested, as we've always managed to see these off because SBC own the ground.... here's what can happen on our very doorstep.... at the Abbey Stadium

 More than 100 houses on the site have been built with many already occupied - there is outline permission for more than 120 more.

A Councillor said: “It’s been incredibly frustrating trying to get this stadium delivered.

“I don’t want to see another house constructed on the site until Gaming International deliver a new speedway stadium that is good for Swindon.

“It shows the esteem the developer shows this committee that they can’t be bothered to turn up tonight - it’s disgusting frankly.

“I don’t really trust them not to build more houses and then not deliver the stadium and just p*** off, basically.

“We need to put a line in the sand because the developer is still in breach of the previous section 106 agreement.

“We should say what enforcement we’re going to bring.”

Ward councillor Vera Tomlinson said the borough council needed to give a firm lead to the developers to get the stadium redeveloped.

She proposed approving the application with a condition that permission be granted as long as no more houses are built or occupied on the site until the stadium is rebuilt.

Gaming International, which runs Abbey Stadium, declined to comment on the matter.

Personally after an initial bout of enthusiasm.... I don't want Power anywhere near owning the CG

     
 
   

Absolutely.

Whether these come to fruition remains to be seen but if they do, Power could turn out to be one of the best owners we've ever had. He still wouldn't get credit from some, though.

We’ll need a new investor/owner to build the nice house on top of those foundations.

Gaming International has plenty of previous when it comes to shutting down greyhound stadia for redevelopment.

Eastville, Reading and Milton Keynes have all gone under their stewardship.

I thought the council have halted new housing until the stadium is built now