Back at last

The new Town boss was unveiled at Meadow Lane last night and said he was looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead.

Since being sacked by former chairman Danny Donegan in August, King has not seen Town in action.

But he wasted no time in labelling the 3-1 defeat as 'absolutely awful' and promised changes for the Boxing Day clash with Bournemouth.

He also held an olive branch out to Razor Ruddock, the man ushered in by Donegan along with Roy Evans.

He joked that the offer to return had been long overdue.

"When I actually left the club, Mr Donegan told me to take a few days holiday until we sort things out and find a position for you under the new management team.

"I didn't realise that a few days actually meant five months.

"But to be honest, I don't feel I deserved to be sacked in the first place."

Although King said he had nothing but the greatest of professional respect for Roy Evans, some harsh truths had to be addressed.

He said: "This defeat by Notts County has put the team only a few points above the relegation zone.

"I thought Swindon Town were just three points from the top of the table from the some of the stuff I've been reading.

"I've picked up the reigns again, with no fear of doing so.

"I love the place and I just want to get started. The quicker Monday comes the better."

The new Town boss will not officially take over however until the club receives Roy Evans' resignation letter, but that is merely a formality.

King said remaining links with the Donegan/Evans era would not be a problem for him.

He said: "I have no problem with Neil Ruddock.

"He has a contract at the football club and if he wants to work with me then fine. If he doesn't, then that's his choice. But I don't have an axe to grind with him.

"But I am the manager and I will decide who plays and where they play.

"Malcolm Crosby also has a decision to make. I'm not sure what he's going to do yet.

"But as they say in the song, I want to get in there and start doing things 'my way'."

King said he fully expected that not all Town fans would be happy with his appointment but he hoped everyone would pull together to put the team on the winning trail once again.

"All the players here, bar Wayne Carlisle are lads I know and have brought on and worked with."

King said he would be looking for the qualities he passionately believed in.

He said: "I didn't think there was that spark against Notts County and that's what we desperately need.

"The game was there to be won but there was no fire in the belly."

It is not yet clear how long King's contract will be but Town director Bob Holt believes the board have picked the right man for the job.

He said: "We brought Andy back because he's a determined character and has that style which I think gets the best out of the players."

He said: "Andy is a realist and a pragmatist and recognises we have chosen him because he has to work within the constraints we have put on the table.

"Roy Evans couldn't work within those constraints and decided to go. I'm sad about that but now we have to look forward."