OPINION: Bolton Wanderers Dodged a Bullet by Going for Phil Parkinson over Phil Brown

I remember back in the days when Bolton Wanderers were in crisis. Doesn't seem like long ago, but the Phil Parkinson era has, thus far, been nothing short of successful.

However, the warm and fuzzy glow of the last half a dozen games might well have been completely different had Bolton Wanderers new owners gone for a man reported to be their first choice - the man in charge of tomorrow's opponents Southend United - Phil Brown, formerly of this parish.

Speculation was rife that the former Bolton defender, coach and assistant manager was the primary target of Dean Holdsworth and Ken Anderson. So much so that the Southend chairman felt the need to issue a statement denying that an approach had been made. Brown, for his part, played the dutiful role whilst all the time clearly hankering for a move back to Bolton.

Fans were divided. Brown did an excellent job as understudy to Sam Allardyce. Some, rightly, pointed out that it was a long time ago - others pointed to his failures at Derby County and Preston North End, whilst the other lot saw his work at Hull City and Southend United and thought he had what it took to be a success in this league.

Now, friend of the site and BEN chief Marc Iles wrote about how a rather high compensation figure was always likely to prove too big an obstacle for Wanderers to overcome, and it proved to be so.

Phil Parkinson was the eventual choice and the man who has led us to the top of the division.

Brown however, has failed to replicate the relative successes of his last couple of seasons at Roots Hall.

Bolton find themselves with 13 points from a possible 15 and lead the field, whereas Southend are in 19th position with just one win from their five games this season. Speculation as to the security of his position at the club remains rife and a heavy defeat to his former club would not go down well with his present employers.

For my own opinion, I was a fan of Brown and believed that his lower league experience would be a huge positive for us in this division.

I can't imagine many Wanderers fans picked out Parkinson before his appointment but there cannot be many, equally, who would swap him at this moment in time.