September
Newsfile

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Atkins was on the bench for City's game against Brighton on Saturday and there seemed to be little interaction between him and Alan Cork.

City's performance on Saturday had more of  tocuh of Alan Cork rather than Atkins as City made more of an efforet to play football and we saw substitutions that brought on Andy Legg, Leon Jeanne and Jason Bowen. Jeanne immediately became a hero by several times beating his man to get in good crosses and the Legg / Bowen combination set up Paul Brayson's equaliser.

Its been alledged the the "long ball" game we have been playing and the playing of players out of position was Atkins work. There were reports of mounting tension amongst the players who were unhappy with Atkins methods.

One must assume they are the reason for his departure only 9 games into the season.

As it stands at the moment Alan Cork is still the boss and Ian Butterworth and George Wood his coaches. Atkins' arrival meant that we had 4 coaches in the changing room. Too many cooks etc etc.

If as has been reported Dave Basset is to come to Ninian Park. Will he be the boss with Cork moving back to a No.2? Will Bassett be a director of football offereing advice to Cork? Will Bassett come at all?

Only time will tell but the feeling of many fans at the moment is that a negative influence has been remove from the dressing room. If Alan Cork is to continue in charge then he will know he must produce results as the swift departure of Atkins has proved that no one is safe.