All change at the top

Latics old-boy has mixed feelings after best buddies take charge

RUSSELL SLADE’S dismissal as Yeovil Town manager came as no surprise to Athletic old-boy Paul Warne.

The 35-year-old striker has given his own take on the dramatic events at the Somerset club on the eve of Athletic’s trip to Huish Park.

After winning their previous four Coca-Cola League One fixtures, and with only two defeats in nine games, Slade’s sacking was clearly not driven by results.

Warne said: “It has certainly been an odd week with the gaffer (Slade) losing his job after a terrific 3-1 win at play-off side Peterborough United.

“We knew something had been brewing behind the scenes. The gaffer had had a fall-out with the board and things came to a head earlier this week.

“I was the first player in on Tuesday morning and I could tell by the look on peoples’ faces that all was not well.

“Apparently the gaffer had asked the board to back him or sack him, but it is odd for a manager to lose his job after winning the four previous matches.”

Slade and No 2 Steve Thompson were replaced internally by players Terry Skiverton, who has been at the club a decade, and Nathan Jones.

Warne admits he has mixed feelings about the appointment of the new management team.

He continued: “It is something of a double bubble. I thought they would get the job and I am pleased for them.

“But it could be hard for me because, as they are two of my best mates, I don’t know how it will affect our relationship.

“I am a little anxious. We are the three senior professionals, the triangle of trust, and we were always phoning and texting each other.

“It is bound to impact on our friendship.”

Though the Glovers have spent much of the season in the lower reaches of League One, Warne believes they have the ability to climb into the top half of the table.

He freely admits lady luck has been smiling on them in recent weeks, a far cry from earlier in the season when it often went against them.

Warne explained: “We were well-beaten at Scunthorpe United and at home to Leicester City, but that was about it.

“There were a number of occasions when we played well only to lose 1-0. Yet in our winning run we had three 1-0 victories, and these results could easily have gone the opposite way.”

Warne reckons one of the reasons for their improved fortunes is the loan captures of midfield pair Jon Worthington (Huddersfield) and Shaun MacDonald (Swansea).

He went on: “Midfield is such an important area and they have made a massive impact on the team.”

Yeovil’s winning run was wrecked by West Country rivals Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.

Warne was shocked by the defeat and hopes it wasn’t as a result of the managerial upheaval.

He said: “We looked tired and jaded after our recent run, although no way was it a 3-0 defeat,” he continued.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s clash, Warne, Yeovil’s five-goal joint top scorer, is aiming to complete a league double over his former employers.

He scored in the 2-0 win at Boundary Park in November — that was Athletic’s only home league defeat for almost a year — and it was a moment he will cherish for a long time.

He continued: “I was substituted and left the pitch to applause from every corner of the ground. That was a special moment.”

Warne confessed to feeling “bitter” after being released in the summer of 2007, but that since disappeared.

He said: “I still keep in contact with Sean Gregan and Andy Liddell, and I would love Oldham to go up.

“It would be great for the fans and also the town.”

League One fixtures . . .TOMORROW — Bristol Rovers v Leicester City, Carlisle v Stockport, Colchester v Southend, Crewe v Huddersfield, Hartlepool v Leyton Orient, Hereford v Peterborough, Leeds v Cheltenham, Millwall v Brighton, Northampton v Walsall, Swindon v Scunthorpe, Tranmere v MK Dons, Yeovil v ATHLETIC.