With Allner on the brink who could replace him?
By Editor
January 8 2003
The big question on the lips of all fans at the moment is should Graham Allner stay or go. With opinion polls suggesting around two thirds of Robins fans want Allner to walk and with banners on display calling for action it may not be long before we are welcoming a new name on the managers door..
The big question on the lips of all fans at the moment is should Graham Allner stay or go. With Internet opinion polls suggesting around two thirds of Robins fans want former Kidderminster boss Allner to walk and with banners on display at Sheffield calling for action it may not be long before we are welcoming a new name on the managers door but who should that be? Here we take a look at a few of the likely front runners:
Brian Little - Worked wonders with Darlington and Leicester but has failed at others clubs such as Villa and Stoke. Almost got Hull City promoted with a tiny budget and serious off the field problems which will appeal to our chairman.
The Verdict - Would probably be the favourite.
Jan Molby - Fat Jan the pie man has an ego almost as big as his belly (if such a thing is possible) and must be gutted to have been out of work so much so is rumoured to have applied for every position which has arisen. His connections with local rivals Kidderminster Harriers and his need for a big budget will rule him out of the running.
The Verdict - If the fat man applies his application is more likely to be used as toilet paper than for him to be given the job.
Leroy Rosenior - Ex-Manager of once local rivals Gloucester City is known to fancy the job but a few of the older supporters would surely complain. Currently over-achieving at Devon side Torquay Utd.
The Verdict - Unlikely.
Ian Atkins - Currently revelling in the lime light at local rivals Oxford Utd who are chasing promotion and ran Arsenal close in the FA Cup. A good motivator who guarentees 110% from the players however he will probably want to finish what he has started and see the U's return to division two.
The Verdict - The board may like him and see him in a similar mould to Cotterill but he will be hard to prise out of Oxford.
Nigel Clough - Currently managing little Burton Albion in the Conference, would surely be tempted by a move to a bigger club although he may just see us as a stepping stone to an eventual Premiership job but then nobody complained when Steve Cotterill did that.
The Verdict - Will be a serious contender although the board might be frightened off by his buy out clause.
Jim Harvey - The Northern Ireland assistant manager has worked wonders at little Morecambe and may well fancy a shot at league football with 'Nam. Will already know all about Grant McCann and Mike Duff but would he fancy moving his family down from Morecambe.
The Verdict - A dark horse.
Gary Johnson - Currently manager at Conference club Yeovil who are top of the league. Doing a good job which may have been noted by our board after our recent cup triumph in Somerset.
The Verdict - Will probably stay with Yeovil.
Graham Rix - Applied for the Exeter City job and would probably fancy the job up here too, he is a big name and would certainly have the contacts but could he motivate our current crop of players, I don't think so.
The Verdict - Will probably apply but unlikely to get it.
Ray Graydon - Seems to be the first choice of the fans although we would have to pay Bristol Rovers some compensation. His work at Walsall gives everyone hope of him doing a similar job here.
The Verdict - Would surely be amongst the favourites if we can persuade him to leave the third division relegation battlers.
Roy Evans - Former Liverpool boss Evans is known to favour a return to management in the lower leagues and his time with Swindon last season show's he could do a job, but would he be interested.
The Verdict - Could be in the running if is interested.
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