On the negative side during his short stint at Bescot he never got close to winning the crowd over because of his poor fitness levels and injuries. Since returning to Gillingham he has encountered a bad reception from a large number of Gillingham fans. So this would be an unpopular appointment by Ronnie Jepson as he makes a start to his managerial career and winning over the crowd. Some fans however will take the view of allowing Jepson to make his own appointment as its faairer to judge him by his own choices and decisions.
Alternatives for the assistant managers job include Joe Dunne - a former Gills player now at Colchester United, Gillingham goalkeeping coach Paul Crichton and current player Mark Saunders. Finances are tight at Gillingham so a internal appointment looks likely.
If indeed Paul Smith is named as the new assistant manager then this would seal his January signing, a sight that all Saddlers fans would like to see. Paul Smith has not been missed, it has been great to see his wages off the payroll. Yes we have injuries to holding role midfielders Simon Osborn and Mark Kinsella which has led us to experiment with defenders Anthony Gerrard, Craig Pead and Daniel Fox in the role, but our two midfielders are expected to be back soon and then the route to first team football for Smith will be blocked.