The wait is over. Albion have finally got a new manager in Martin Hinshelwood.

Some people outside Sussex will no doubt be shouting who? The rest of us want to ask chairman Dick Knight: "What took you so long?"

From the moment Peter Taylor walked out the management issue has centred around the three Bs: Budget, backroom staff and bums on seats.

How ironic, that after almost 11 weeks, Dick has got the right man.

Taylor left because of money, therefore however much Dick wanted a big name, it was never going to happen.

Budgetary constraints, the continued employment of existing backroom staff and the limited capacity at Withdean are not the most appealing pre-conditions for any quality applicant outside the club.

Does anybody seriously think the likes of Steve Coppell, Joe Royle, Bryan Robson or Tony Adams were going to risk damaging their reputations by taking on Albion in their current situation?

Although I don't doubt Dick interviewed a national coach from the recent World Cup, can you really see anybody being prepared to swap international football, on whatever continent, for Withdean?

It's clear the Albion chairman has been blown out more times than a windsock this summer and last week's knee-jerk events surrounding Bristol City and Danny Wilson were like something from the bad old days.

If Wilson was good enough last week, why wasn't he tapped up in the week Taylor walked? And can anybody really see Wilson swapping Ashton Gate for Withdean?

Thankfully, Albion now have a manager in Hinshelwood and I'm very happy. However, I would have been happier if it had been sorted out at the beginning of May.

Some Albion fans have already complained, surprise surprise, saying Dick promised a manager with a proven track record in Division One. On the face of it Hinshelwood doesn't have that, or does he?

Bearing in mind what was unfolding off the field, I'm sure Hinshelwood's influence in the play-off campaign of 1991 was more than just assistant manager. With Barry Lloyd trying to keep the likes of Greg Stanley and Co at bay, Hinsh was playing a major role in the dressing room.

He comes to the dugout with his eyes wide open. When Taylor left, he cited poor facilities, Falmer and budgetary issues as his reasons for leaving. Hinsh knows exactly what he's getting.

However, an earlier appointment would have allowed him to get on with team strengthening.

As much as everyone marvelled at last season's success, it's clear the team needs new blood.

As good as our emerging youngsters are, thanks mainly to Messrs Hinshelwood and Wilkins, there is nothing like experience. Players like Simon Morgan and Lee Steele need to be replaced by proven Division One players.

Hinshelwood has the ability and backroom staff to do a good job. Like all managers he will need that little bit of luck but, most importantly, he needs the overwhelming backing of the Albion support.

For the people muttering and complaining about the lack of a big name, don't fool yourselves. If Albion were playing at Falmer they could get anybody. In the current climate a household name was never really an option.

The best man for the job is someone who already knows the score and that is who the Albion have gone for - eventually.