YOU could sense the relief as players and fans joined together in celebration following the long awaited win at Dover.

There was a marvellous sense of unity and smiles all round as super-stand in Scott Bartlett maintained his 100% success rate as caretaker manager.

He has much to do, dealing with on field matters as well the need to sort our contracts off it. Players who are an asset to the club are waiting for offers to stay.

These should be forthcoming as soon as possible. Jon Parkin has triggered a “stay” clause in his contract so he will still be here but the future of other senior players needs to be quickly settled. They deserve it.

The dismissal of Ady Pennock shocked me, but the more I thought about it the more I could see why.

Form had nosedived and there was no sign of any improvement. The same mistakes were being made every game. We were heading for the play-offs in a demoralised state, something drastic had to be done.

Sacking a man who had led us to a season of record success seems a dangerous and misguided act but there is growing evidence it was the correct course.

I have considerable personal regard for Ady. He has been a pleasure to deal with but there have been mistakes.

Disagreement with senior players has been all too common place resulting in errors in selection. In such matters the manager is usually right, but not all the time.

Ady seemed to see matters as all black and white, ignoring opportunities to compromise.

The occasional compromise is not a sign of weakness in fact it is a sign of strength, which is something that can be increased if sometimes you accept you are wrong.

The fall out with O’Connor was in my view the most damaging as he had speed and could finish. He needed to be accommodated, but after Havant there was no return.

It must be asked if Ady got his transfer dealings right. In the January window he looked to the future signing Jeffrey and Jefford who we have hardly seen. Their day will certainly come, but with out championship, hopes already flagging should he not have bought for the present?

The price may have been high, but would not the prize be higher? The name Holman springs to mind but there were surely others.

Matty Taylor and James Norwood wished to leave and exercise their right to do so.

In judging Ady we must remember he inherited a squad with too many sub-standard players, some of whom were on expensive lengthy contracts. Current form was dire.

He steadied the ship and in the next two seasons led us to the play-offs. Had it not been for an outstanding Cheltenham side we would have been champions. Is this failure? Only time will tell.

What happens now? My top three choices as a replacement are Cotterill, Yates or Nicholson. We must trust Dale and those around him. He has got one big call right, now for the next.