A few eyebrows were raised this week when it was announced Andy Scott had been relieved of his duties as manager of Brentford Football Club. Following twenty-seven years of supporting the League One outfit, nothing surprises me anymore, however in this case I felt his journey had come to an end.
There has been a long-term minority of sceptical Bees fans about Scott's capabilities, but I have to admit I only made my mind up about three weeks ago. I was less optimistic the board at the club would follow suit.
Not that I am happy about it. I am not happy at the expense involved in changing the management team. I am not happy that it ended like this, rather than Scott leaving for a bigger club, like he ought to have done. And I am actually quite sad he has gone and wish him well for the future. He will surely get another chance in a new setting
Scott gave us some good times. The League 2 title was fantastic. Brentford's away trip to Leeds last season was memorable, and we thank him for the superb one-off result against Everton in the League Cup earlier this season.
The success against Everton turned out to be a one-off highlight of a fairly miserable 2010/11 season so far. The quality of the football is said to have diminished. From what I have seen on occasions since 2009 it has never been much different, but it never seems to matter as much when results are acceptable. During the month of January, results plummeted in line with the performances.
After a 4-1 mauling at the hands of a team I would rather not mention on this page for risk of suffering total and utter shame (alright, it was Dagenham and Redbridge) the outcome was inevitable. Fans chanted 'Scott out' at the end of the game, including some who had previously backed him.
That did not stop the comedians from coming out in force. The BBC's Football League Show seemed to be a particular victim of prank e-mails. One comment suggested that Scott had been unfairly dismissed after a month of bad results. Well it must have been the longest month of that person's life.
In August, the first home league match of the season, the Bees managed to lose at home to Walsall. If you wish to know how great that result was, I refer you to the League One table. There have been plenty of disappointments since, with giants Leyton Orient, Rochdale and the MK Franchise all picking our pockets.
Nick Forster, a much-loved Bees player has taken temporary charge, and he will be in with a great chance of being installed permanently if results improve. Other candidates include ex-Bristol City manager Gary Johnson, Dennis Wise and - according to one bookie - Justin Edinburgh (I have no idea either).
For once, there are plenty of interesting unemployed names out there - some probably too pricey for the Bees. Nonetheless, we can excite ourselves with names such as Roy Hodgson, Alan Curbishley and Roberto Di Matteo - at least until reality sets in.
With all the options out there, I cannot make a suggestion this time. All I ask is for the club to not mess it up! The right appointment could take them to the next level.
