Well it didn't take long for a familiar terrace ditty deriding Steve Coppell to find its way back on to the Albion faithful's play list.

I wonder if some of the Withdean regulars will sing in uncomplimentary terms about Bob Booker when he eventually leaves the club?

That's exactly what is going to happen and, in light of Bob's decision to withdraw his application for the Albion manager's job last Friday, possibly sooner rather than later.

Right from the outset, regardless of the large amount of support he had, history was against him, and on top of that, it appeared circumstances also contrived against him. In short, he never really stood a chance.

However, I genuinely believe that he has the ability to be manager but that will only happen away from the Albion, and judging by the amount of League managers getting their P45s this season, that could even be as early as the week after next.

Regardless of who the new manager is, and more on him later, Bob may feel that it could the right time to move on and achieve his ultimate ambition.

So Mark McGhee will be in charge of the Albion against Barry Fry's Peterborough this Saturday after Dick Knight's deliberations.

This particular managerial race took on almost Grand National-like proportions.

It has been nip and tuck all the way, a number of the ante-post favourites have led in places, but in true Aintree style a virtual outsider when Steve Coppell initially left has streaked home in the final furlong.

McGhee has been unsaddled in the Withdean winner's enclosure.

McGhee comes with both experience and baggage. Since he was first suggested for the job at the end of last week, I've lost count of the amount of supporters who've mentioned his various departures, both voluntarily and enforced, from his previous clubs.

I'll admit at first it worried me but, then again, managers either leave or get sacked from all jobs, the fact he's chosen to walk from a number of clubs is just part of footballing life.

What he does have is a successful proven track record in Division Two, along with host of contacts, not to mention the ear of his mentor Sir Alex Ferguson.

I doubt the Withdean whingers will complain if the Albion end up with a couple of Manchester United youngsters on loan?

Temporary stadium or not, in the football world Brighton still is an attractive proposition, so McGhee knows that if he cracks it down on the coast its going to look very good on his CV.

I wish Mark well and let's hope he gets the Albion back to winning games.

As exciting FA Cup draws go I've known longer ones! First out of the hat and Lincoln City away doesn't exactly get the juices flowing, in fact all it did was conjure up the memory of a rare David Cameron League goal, for Lincoln that is!

On the positive side, it's certainly winnable and as is said around this time each year, except last year when it was January and round three, it's about time the Albion had a decent cup run. Well maybe this is the year!

Never mind Mark McGhee, with EA Sports brilliant new release, FIFA 2004, you get the chance to become Albion's boss and pit your very own Seagulls against the might of the Premiership and the top club sides in Europe.

I've got two copies to give away on PS2 and you can win one of these great prizes by telling me which team Steve Coppell left the Albion for.

Send your answer to Hart of the Matter FIFA Competition, Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton. Closing date for entries is next Friday November 7.