Yesterday, the worst-kept secret in the Football League was finally announced, as Scott Lindsey departed Swindon Town for a new challenge at League Two strugglers Crawley Town.
Our former Head Coach becomes the fourth man in six years to depart Town for another club, following on from David Flitcroft, Richie Wellens, and his former colleague Ben Garner.
Ever since his appointment last summer, he never enjoyed the full support of the Town faithful, as pockets of fans never took to him becoming Head Coach.
Quite similar to his predecessor Ben Garner, who never enjoyed a rapport with the Town faithful, like Richie Wellens, but Garner enjoyed success on the pitch, meaning fans were more accepting.
Despite sitting 8th in League Two and enjoying some memorable days this season, it hasn’t hit the heights of the last campaign. The football on display, especially recently, hasn’t been good enough, with Town only scoring four goals in our last seven games.
The last three home games have been hard to watch, as we’ve only witnessed one goal, and directionless displays again and again.
Lindsey’s decision to move over to Sussex screams of a man who knew his days were numbered at SN1, and when more job security was offered to him, closer to home, he couldn’t resist.
In pre and post-match interviews, and when I saw him speak at the fan forum, he always came across as a genuine guy, and I only wish him well for the future.
With Crawley approaching Town over Lindsey nearly a week ago, I’m sure the recruitment process for a new manager has been in full overdrive.
This appointment can’t take as long as it did last summer with Town in a promotion hunt and games coming thick and fast.
Former Brighton manager Chris Hughton was installed as the early favourite for the job, but since yesterday afternoon, the clear favourite for the job has been ex-QPR midfielder and current coach at Serie B side Como 1907, Marc Bircham.
With his lack of experience as a Head Coach, apart from a short stint at Waterford, he doesn’t scream out as the person to lead the club back to League One.
My preference would be former Town defender Luke Garrard, who is the current manager of Boreham Wood.
The 37-year-old has done a superb job at Meadow Park, earning two playoff campaigns and overachieving in the F. A Cup, taking the club beyond the 3rd Round stage for the last three seasons.
But with him signing a new deal in May last year, this would be an expensive deal to complete for Town.
Along with Chris Hughton, the other name most talked about has been former Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell.
The former centre back enjoyed promotion with Crewe in the 2019/20 campaign, the same season Town finished top of League Two when sadly, our season was ended by the COVID-19 pandemic.
His time at Gresty Road ended following an awful season in League One, with his side relegated with a whimper last April.
Many Town fans are nervous about Artell due to his final season at Crewe, but with his side losing key players, not replacing them, and with the smallest budget, some may say, not even the best coaches in the world, would’ve saved them that season.
I would take Artell over Bircham simply for his five years of Football League experience and the style of football he likes to impart to his players.
But with rumours strong surrounding Bircham, it seems he is the man to take us forward this season, and if that’s the case, let’s hope his Swindon Town side is celebrating promotion in our last home game of the season against Scott Lindsey’s Crawley Town side.