At a normal Club, Dolan and Batth would have been re-signed without as much as a second thought. It would just have been a by line in passing in the local rag that they'd penned new deals.

But still more attractive than we are apparently. Bit of a worry eh?

And having some mates with him helps.

No--they live on what they earned, partly at least.

The big unknown is what Dolan is asking for. He probably doesn’t feel valued by Rovers based on what they’ve offered, but he/his agent might have miscalculated what he’s capable of getting elsewhere. I can’t imagine Derby are big payers even by Championship standards, but are probably a level up from Rovers, who must now be in the bottom 2 or 3 clubs in terms of salaries.

Can only quote what you said, which was "no contact". Quite plausible that you're scenario has happened.

I’d assume that’s exactly the what’s happening. He (his agent) will have ‘tested the market’, to coin that hoary old phrase, and realised he can get better than the shite Rovers are offering.

Go and read about their finances. Their owner is not wealthy in footballing terms and he has been desperately searching for new investment for the last 12 months to help them. He's been putting in circa £13 million a year for 3 years to keep them ticking over (oh look, another club that loses an 8 figure sum every year even when they get better gates than we do and have managed to find a new owner prepared to fund it - one for the negative Venkys in people to keep in mind). You've answered half of your own question - they are going around trying to sign free agents - a clear sign of a club working to a limited budget yet still able to sign up our players. How are we skint when we've brought in £40 million from sales and spent very little of it?

‘No contact’ read ‘recent contact’. They could have offered him a £5k a week contract 2 years ago, the agent goes back and says he wants £15k ( for example) and then no contact since.

Assume we've just chucked a poor contract offer on the table, knowing he won't sign it, in order to get the compo but we won't have made any serious bid to keep him

I was talking about his time at Luton not Rovers RF99. Thought that was clear. Yes I do think he should be getting a better move than Charlton

which is does for a number of minutes, lack of communication to fans in the stadium over the decisions, etc. The changes coming in this upcoming seasons won't affect the game on the pitch

So much for move to higher level of football. If he is joining Derby then that is for Eustace who he has always been close to and help him massively with mental health problems. Since Eustace joined Derby, people including myself have always though Dolan would go there to join Eustace, Gardiner and Downing at Derby How are Derby skint when they signings players for fees and offering contracts to free agents If Derby is the only offer he has had then maybe it tell you that either his terms are too higher or other clubs don't rate him that highly. I do rate him and I would have like him to stay here long term. I have the feeling that Dolan for the 18 months he wants to move on from us. Don't we have to offer him a new contract in order to receive a compensation fee from his next club?

I'm a little unsure how to feel about the Sheffield Wednesday mess. Of course at its most basic there should be sympathy for their employees/suppliers and genuine supporters who must be deeply concerned about the state they are in, and you hope their situations are resolved. It seems some want to use it as a 'be careful what you wish for' tool as to why things are actually ok at Rovers under Venkys because, look, it could easily be worse. Personally however there's an element of jealously. That might sound crazy / ridiculous but at least with them there's an end to their misery in sight. Light at the end of the tunnel. Their situation cannot continue, it is only a matter of time before they either change ownership or the authorities intervene like they did with Reading. It might not be quick, easy or smooth but ultimately they'll break the grip of Chansiri whereas we will just continue to rot under Venkys for years more. They'll have a new future to look forward to. What have we got to look forward to under this regime?

You would certainly hope so! They'd have to be long enough to cover the play offs though. Not that we ever make them.

I think loans are usually until the end of May, aren't they?

Do you pay the wages of loanees until June 30th or merely until the end of the playing season? It seems to be rubbing salt in the wound to have to pay the wages of the likes of Dennis and Woodrow whilst they go on their jollies.

rumours are the coaching staff are out of contract today, Rohl wants out and rumours about possible move to Leicester It is a huge mess there. A number of players will walk out today. Feel most sorry for the non footballers employees who haven't have been paid yet who have bills to pay

What a load of nonsense - whilst I'm sure Derby will be offering him more money than we are, who do you think will finish higher in the table this season? Us or Derby?. I'd be astounded if it's us. As for the money he's being offered I'd wager he's been on a ludicrously low wage up to now for a Championship player and that we've offered him that plus a pound or similar to stay simply so we can get compensation, not expecting him for one minute to be interested in re-signing.

It seems that the clubs preferred option is to keep players on the maximum of £10k per week for the duration of their contracts and forego any transfer monies, as opposed to offering them new & improved terms and getting them on a longer contract. As it stands right now, the club have failed to negotiate a new contract with Ryan Hedges, the most bang average of championship players. Presumably, they want to keep him on his current terms for as long as possible and only think about putting a new deal under his nose in 12 months time.

On Dolan, I wonder if someone will try and agree a fee with us to stop it going to tribunal like Peterborough/QPR did with Poku recently. Tribunals can take months to sort out.

These things often are complex watch any documentary or speak to any agent or player there is no need to creative a narrative. I did also say it could quite simply be only Derby have made him a serious offer - which includes Rovers not doing so - and he fancies it. So ambition doesn't come into it if there is no choice to be made and it's a case of a wage and a job, not just choosing the biggest paycheck as is your narrative. Anyway he'll probably sign somewhere completely left field if you read comments on X every other club in the Championship seems to think they are in for him.

To be fair, there's probably a few more reasons that that. He was never fully appreciated here and probably wanted a fresh start with a new set of fans. Busier stadium aswell. Probably chucked a few extra quid at him. More stability around the club. I see the why he'd want to move.

My view is quite simple your making it complex to suit your narrative I’m simply saying that I think Dolan and his agent thought more ‘bigger’ teams would be interested in his services. And as of now (could easily change) it’s only Derby who seem serious….thats all im saying nothing more nothing less

It's why I believe Glen's comment about a wage-cap. Dolan will have wanted more than 10k based on his age and appearances etc, and we will have just said "nah" and let him walk. It's why we can't renew Brittain, Trav or Tronstad either, because we just can't be bothered to pay them and would prefer a toddler we don't have to pay.