The Saunders era has come to an abrupt end, and in any time of upheaval it’s only natural that we should wonder what happens next. Trouble is, our circumstances don’t lend themselves to informed debate on the matter.

First things first: don’t pay any attantion to the media speculation about who will replace him. The appointment is a long way into the future. The club’s already being inundated with applications despite not having asked for any, and inevitably there have been plenty of the time-wasting “I coached an Under-12s side and am crash-hot on Football Manager” variety.

Indeed, our commentary on Saturday was nearly delayed by the furore. Having managed to leave my SIM card in Southport (I know, I’m a genius!) I had to borrow Geraint Parry’s to slot into our commentary equipment at Grimsby, but only once he had finished fielding calls from agents who were putting their clients forward for the post.

But they’ll all have a long wait. Unless the takeover process completely collapses, it’s hard to imagine the current owners making an appointment themselves as it makes more sense for a new board to select their own man. Andy Morrell said after the Grimsby game that he’d been given no time limit and told to focus ont he next four games; he might have a lot longer than that to plan for, irrespective of whether he turns out to be the successful candidate.

So what do we get to speculate on? An intriguing aspect of the current situation is just what would an external appointee do to our style of play.

It’s a particularly intriguing question because the way we’ve been playing this season really is remarkable compared to anything else you see at this level. The patient working of the ball around the back, drawing opposing sides out, is fascinating to watch and has been the foundation of our success this season, especially when facing sides which will park the bus. It’s hard to imagine a new manager coming in and wanting to replicate it though, unless they possess a zealous commitment to a passing style of play and an unshakable faith in the ability of our players to carry it off. Just listen to the Racecourse crowd when we knock it around at the back; they’re jittery to say the least! It would require a very cool head to decide that they should continue to play like that, although I desperately hope that whoever does come in will be brave enough to persist.

Having laid my cards on the table, and bearing in mind the fact that the side has evolved and succeeded over the last year, my mind is certainly open to an internal candidate; the problem is who would it be? Brian Carey is gone now, and would obviously carry a lot of baggage should be take up the reins. Likewise, the general feeling in the press box on Saturday was that Gareth Taylor must be kicking himself over the timing of all this.

Of those who remain, we’ve little indication that Michael Oakes is looking for a managerial post, and I’d be loathe to appoint a player-manager as it would in all liklihood rob a slightly thin squad of another player. That’s a shame as there are plenty of experienced candidates, from Morrell through Glen Little to Dean Keates.

So where do we go from here? Someone who isn’t in the current squad, but won’t panic and disgard the patient passing game we’ve evolved? I wonder if Pep Guardiola fancies a new challenge?