As far as starting the season as you mean to go on goes, Swindon Town certainly showed they meant business. Relegated last season, the Robins are looking for an immediate return to League 1, and began incredibly well. Only two defeats in their first thirteen league games saw them march to the top of the table through both August and September.
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The former Premiership stars left after only seventeen matches at the helm. Their success attracted struggling Leeds, and put a stop to Swindon's charge. The two games immediately following Wise's departure saw defeats to fellow promotion contenders Lincoln City and Hereford United.
The board knew they had to act quickly, and they picked a perfect replacement. Paul Sturrock, harshly sacked by both Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday in recent years, particularly so with Wednesday as he brought them promotion, has also had considerable success at this level with Plymouth Argyle.
If anyone is well equipped to continue Swindon's promotion push, it is Sturrock.
Since he took charge they have won four and lost one in the league, aswell as reaching the third round of the Fa Cup with wins over Carlisle and Morecambe. Crystal Palace await in round three at Selhurst Park.
Manager: Paul Sturrock
League position (on December 20 2006): 2nd
Top goalscorer: Christian Roberts has nine.
Goals for: 30
Goals against: 18
Player of the season so far: Jerel Ifil has been a rock at the back and is destined for greater things.
V Notts: In an entertaining affair, Notts hosted a 1-1 draw in September. An error between Alan White and Kevin Pilkington let in Fola Onibuje to open for the visitors, before White atoned his error with an equaliser twenty minutes later. Notts visit the County Ground on December 30th.
Drapes' Prediction: Swindon to remain where they are throughout, 2nd.