ANYONE got any topics I could do a column on? Slow news week that it was...

I jest of course, because the last seven days have been incredibly newsworthy for Newport County, who lost one of the greatest managers they’ve ever had.

That’s not being overly dramatic, because Justin Edinburgh took a club from possible Conference relegation and consolidated them as a force in League Two in just three-and-a-half years.

Let’s get straight into Edinburgh’s departure before tackling the big issues to follow; like who succeeds him and where next for the club in the wake of recriminations and doom and gloom assessments about County’s budget for next season.

I’m told time and again that fans accept Edinburgh’s decision but don’t like the way in which he departed and that is entirely fair comment, the whole situation was handled appallingly by all parties.

It is abundantly clear that Edinburgh was aware of Gillingham’s interest long before they made a formal approach to the Exiles and it is equally clear that the likes of Howard Greenhaf and departing chief executive Dave Boddy – who for that reason had no business saying anything – made an error in dismissing the speculation. Boddy essentially opined that Gillingham were beneath Justin and without consulting the manager first, that was foolish and left the club with egg on their faces.

Similarly, Edinburgh should have done more to distance himself from the talks of a new contract being agreed, as we now know in hindsight that it was never signed. The fact it increased the compensation Gillingham paid is a positive, and shows Edinburgh was still trying to do his best for the club, but it understandably leaves a bitter taste in the mouth for many who feel he flat out lied to fans. He should’ve worried more about the perception.

However, what I don’t think is fair, is the minority who are now calling Edinburgh “Judas,” and other such dramatic names. That’s frankly nonsense.

Show me someone in football, or pretty much any other industry that isn’t looking for career progression and I’ll show you a liar.

If, for example, Edinburgh has similar success at Gillingham, taking them up and exceeding expectations, then a bigger club will come calling, inevitably. It’s the nature of football. Sometimes people gamble job security for what they think is progression.

Sometimes, like with for example, departing Exiles Gary Warren and Sam Foley, that gamble pays off handsomely. On the other hand, it can also go the other way. Just ask Dean Holdsworth or Craig Reid.

And speaking of the aforementioned pair of Warren and Foley, am I wrong in thinking that 99% of County fans consider them to be at best, ‘legends’ and at worst, key figures in the rise of the Exiles, worthy of adulation?

Yet, both players wound down their deals and departed the club with no recompense. They were assets who depreciated and left for free. Surely that’s worse?

There is no question Edinburgh’s departure could’ve been handled better, but he’s still worthy of gratitude and fond wishes, to my mind at least.

Leaving aside all other assessments – and his results absolutely speak for themselves – Edinburgh is the most dedicated and hard working manager I’ve dealt with at the County and his assessment that he “always tried to drive the club forward,” is bang on the money.

The king is dead; long live the king, because if Newport’s current slump in form continues, a new boss will be appointed sooner rather than later. At the time of writing this column, less than 48 hours after Edinburgh’s departure was confirmed, the Exiles already have a dozen applications to succeed him. Translation, you are now firmly on the football match and a desirable destination.

However, all focus from the Exiles hierarchy should now be on not only coming up with a cohesive plan and budget for next season, but in also ensuring that said plan is conveyed properly to Newport County’s supporters. The club can’t really complain about constant speculation and disenchantment from their fanbase if they aren’t being given enough communication and unquestionably, the Exiles must improve in that regard.

In respect of the ‘news’ that chairman Les Scadding is to “scale back his investment,” with the Exiles, I genuinely see this as no bad thing at all.

Scadding has made clear for two years that he’s no sugar daddy and wants the Exiles to be self sustaining. He agreed to supplement the playing budget this season – and that commitment hasn’t changed - and won’t, meaning County have two options.

Option one, live within your means. At the present time, that means the budget being reduced from £1.3 million to £1 million, the club inform me. I don’t see the issue. County’s crowds are poor (in numbers) in comparison to the rest of the division, so they need to cut their cloth. Any new manager will know his exact budget for next season from day one, if that’s the case.

Option two, actively pursue new investment, which frankly should already be happening, and always should. I think the notion of having a millionaire chairman who could be owed X amount of pounds has been prohibitive in this regard and Scadding clarifying his position – as he will in County’s match day programme tonight, should set the record straight.

We also need to be careful in respect of the sensationalist headlines about what Newport are “losing,” financially, on a month-to-month basis.

Firstly, in setting the wage budget at the beginning of the campaign with the understanding that Scadding was to fill any void, the Exiles had obviously factored in months with potential losses this season. Like for example, the £30,000 County lost in January, according to BBC Wales.

However, there is no such thing as a typical month in football and we can’t, without seeing the figures in black and white, assume that County’s losses or profits will be consistent on a monthly basis.

The Exiles only had two home fixtures in January, for example and two this month, but from April 2 to May 3, they’ll play at home five times. It’s going to make a difference isn’t it?

However, please don’t get the impression I’m trying to claim all is rosy in the Newport County garden. They have a communication issue, they badly need reinvigorating at board level, ideally with investors and not just ideas men and they need to address replacing one of their greatest ever managers. Not to mention their total lack of a functioning supporters’ arm, as covered in previous columns this season.

It’s an unsettling time, but you are still in a position we would only have dreamed about for the past 26-years.

And if the biggest doom and gloom scenario is the Exiles beginning next season in League Two, with a budget of £1 million, then in the context of the previous ten years I’ve covered the club, I’m inclined not to hit the panic button just yet.