ANDREW Fitton believes new Town boss Danny Wilson can lead his side to a top half finish in League One after being 'dealt a hand' by fate in landing their new manager.

Former Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday manager Wilson was yesterday named as the successor to Maurice Malpas before Town's vital 2-1 win at Leyton Orient – their first since the end of October.

Last weekend Newcastle United's academy director Richard Money was all set to take over the County Ground hotseat until a last-minute contractual hitch killed the deal.

It was then that Town's board of directors made their move for Wilson, who turns 49 on New Year’s Day, following his sacking at Hartlepool, resulting in a contract that will take him up until the end of the 2010-11 season.

And Fitton, who will formally unveil Wilson at a press conference before tomorrow’s match against Brighton, believes they ended up with the best man for the job.

“I was disappointed (with the Money situation), but I think that's just life,” admitted Swindon's chairman. “I think it's peculiar because fate can deal you odd hands, and I think fate may have dealt us a hand that day.

“Am I happier with the appointment we've made? Absolutely.

“I've got nothing against Richard Money but, in having those problems over that weekend, all of a sudden maybe a better candidate came on the market.

“We met with (Wilson) on Tuesday morning, spent the whole morning with him and frankly within an hour or so it was pretty obvious that he was our man.

“He's ambitious and I think he was looking for a job where he could do a bit of building and put down some roots for a while.

“We spent most of the time talking about the existing squad, who he believes are a play-off squad, and he can't quite understand why they are not doing better.

“So I think he will come in and make a very quick assessment. I'm sure he will want to strengthen, but I don't think he is looking for wholesale change.”

With five months left of the season, and on the back of yesterday's victory, Fitton believes it isn't too late for his side to leave the worries of relegation firmly behind them and make an assault on the upper reaches of League One.

“If you look at the mathematics of this division, you only have to be in the top half on the first of March. If you are there then you can challenge for the play-offs,” he said.

“I'm not suggesting we will be making a big challenge for the play-offs, but I equally think that a top half finish is well within our grasp.

“If we can get ourselves up the table in the next few weeks, then anything is possible.”