WANDERERS are in no rush to appoint their next manager but that hasn’t stopped the speculation running wild.

Phil Brown remains the bookies’ favourite to succeed Neil Lennon on a full-time basis, with punters apparently lukewarm on interim boss Jimmy Phillips getting the nod full time.

Brown has consistently played down the speculation, insisting his focus is squarely on making sure Southend United are playing Championship football next season.

But other names in the famously volatile managerial betting market are less well-known to Wanderers fans, from Northampton Town chief Chris Wilder to former Newcastle United man John Carver.

Just for fun, we decided to run the rule over the leading contenders in the market according to SkyBet. To help us, Chris Mann, of Wanderers website Burnden Aces, has also given his verdict in 10 words or less.

PHIL BROWN

Long history as player and coach with Wanderers, the 56-year-old has always seemed a Bolton manager in waiting.

Odds: 5/4

Pros: Knows the lie of the land, has experience and success in lower leagues.

Cons: Will cost. Southend not making an approach look easy.

Fans’ view: Fans' favourite. May never have a better chance to return.

CHRIS WILDER

Odds: 7/4

Pros: Good young manager who has done a great job at Northampton Town.

Cons: Rather left field. Would be a bold choice.

Fans’ view: Outstanding track record, but can Bolton afford another gamble?

PETER REID

Odds: 9/2

Pros: Hugely experienced, in position and well-versed in the Wanderers ways.

Cons: Hasn’t been involved in English club management for six years.

Fans’ view: Nothing of relevance in 14 years. Coach? Yes. Manager? No

JOHN CARVER

Odds: 9/1

Pros: Well-travelled, great contacts and liked within the game.

Cons: His spell in charge at Newcastle was a car crash. No real links to Bolton.

Fans’ view: A disaster waiting to happen. Nowhere near management material.

STEVE COTTERILL

Odds: 14/1

Pros: Did well in austere times at Portsmouth. Led Bristol City out of League One.

Cons: Left Ashton Gate under a bit of a cloud this season.

Fans’ view: Good record at Bristol City the highlight of a poor career.

TONY MOWBRAY

Odds: 18/1

Pros: Interviewed for the post before. Stabilised Coventry City.

Cons: Would not be an easy job wrestling him from the Sky Blues.

Fans’ view: Should be managing in the Championship, but why leave Coventry?

JIMMY PHILLIPS

Odds: 20/1

Pros: Knows Wanderers better than anyone else in the frame.

Cons: Currently inexperienced at first team level.

Fans’ view: Definitely a romance story, but Bolton need a proven name.

KEVIN NOLAN

Odds: 20/1

Pros: Player-manager role would bring the memories flooding back.

Cons: Doing a good job at Leyton Orient but still unproven as a coach.

Fans’ view: Same as Phillips - too early to take the gamble.

BILLY DAVIES

Odds: 25/1

Pros: Hugely experienced and tends to get clubs going in the right direction.

Cons: Firebrand reputation could scare Wanderers off.

Fans’ view: Huge success in the short-term, massive disaster long-term.

ALAN STUBBS

Odds: 25/1

Pros: Another ex-Wanderer who has done a good job north of the border at Hibs.

Cons: Once bitten, twice shy with managers who have Scottish success?

Fans’ view: Did well with Everton's reserves. Another case of 'too soon'.

DOUGIE FREEDMAN

Odds: 25/1

Pros: Knows the way to the Macron. May feel he has unfinished business.

Cons: Wanderers are trying to sell season tickets.

Fans’ view: Deserves a shot at a decent club, but not ours!