It's a big decision we must get right

A few months ago, in the wake of the 4-1 Tranmere home defeat, I had a conversation with someone who has supported the club for a long time about the possibility of relegation, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.

Unsurprisingly I was the much more pessimistic of the two, not only about the likelihood of Chris Hutchings leading us into the Football League's dungeon but also about next season.

I couldn't subscribe to the view that just because we came straight back up in 2006/07, then a repeat would be a formality.

I still don't subscribe to that view, this isn't 2006. Take a look at the squad Dicky Dosh inherited when he joined in the May of that year:

Roper, Keates and Wrack – experienced campaigners, good servants of the club and proven at higher levels,

Kinsella – a player of quality (albeit mostly untapped under previous bosses),

Fox, Gerrard and Dann (whatever happened to them?) - highly promising youngsters, Westwood, Pead and Kris Taylor – all capable of doing a good job in League 2,

plus the loose cannon and ASBO that was Ishmel Demontagnac.

Throw in a few cute signings in key areas for good measure (Ince, Butler and Dobson) and we were well away.

Now look at the current squad – there's some promising youngsters and Jimmy Walker (for now anyway) for sure – but is it anywhere near as good as the one Money took over?

I think not.

Added to that the fact that crowds are about 2000 lower than five years ago (with debts and rent higher) and I think the possibility of a long, early 90's-style stint in the basement is not yet out of the question..

Which is all the more reason to get the decision on a new boss right now.

I'm not particularly fussed about when the next manager takes over. After all we've done better since we got rid of the permanent one - no defeats, two late fightbacks, some new names on the scoresheet, a three goal haul for the first time this season.

Dean Smith has rightly gained plenty of praise since stepping up from the Youth team. He may well be one for the future, but I'm not sure this is his time yet.

What I'm more concerned about is the who, the what and the how. I want to see the right appointment, with the right team as back up, a proper support structure and a long term plan.

Whatever happens during the rest of this season, wherever we are come next August, we must have people in place who are going to drive the club forward Graydon or Buckley-style.

Apparently many have applied and in amongst the usual dross there are some interesting names. A manager with genuine ambition (as opposed to the same old platitudes) and a vision for what the club can achieve, challenging those up above to back him along the way, is what's really required.

Dicky Dosh was the last to do that, and the club has been struggling ever since he was allowed to leave.

It's a big decision and, as I've said already, the most important thing is to get it right.