SWINDON Town director of football Tim Sherwood has taken a back seat when it comes to the day-to-day running of the team and is now focusing more on other aspects of the club, according to head coach Luke Williams.

Amid the fanfare of the former Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa manager’s arrival at the County Ground back in November, it was made crystal clear that Sherwood would have a hands-on role at the club, even down to picking the side and giving the team talks.

Chairman Lee Power described Sherwood’s arrival as one of the biggest appointments in the club’s history and the 48-year-old was quick to show his commitment as he rushed to the touchline when the honeymoon period was abruptly brought to a halt against Eastleigh in the FA Cup first round reply exit.

Since then, Sherwood has been seen on the training ground, watching the development team and sat in the director’s box of many a League One ground, but Town’s fortunes have failed to improve - with three league wins from the 17 games since the appointment, exactly the same as the 17 games prior.

His absence at the County Ground during the derby defeat to Oxford United at the start of the month was duly noted by supporters and when Williams confirmed that he was back in charge of picking the team following Saturday’s defeat to Bury, it prompted further questions as to Sherwood’s duties at the club.

“He’s now supporting us all, the players and the staff and by that he will give valuable advice to us all,” said Williams, when asked by the Adver to clarify Sherwood’s role this morning.

“I’m sure that he is looking to the future as well and trying to forge strong links with other clubs and to get around and look at other players.

“He is not as prominent on the pitch any more, he is still of course welcome to come down any time to watch training or to join in, but for now he is away from the training pitch and concentrating on other sides of the club.”

With Williams back in control of the side, he was asked to assess Sherwood’s impact during his spell on the training ground.

“I think he has given everybody different ideas and he has made very clear to certain people, what they should and shouldn’t be doing, what is expected of them,” he added.

“There is no secret formula, it is a difficult league to play in. It’s very competitive.

“He gave us some valuable input and his experience (has allowed him) to pass on some of his knowledge to the staff and the players.”