Tony Mowbray's magic, he wears a magic hat. And when he saw the championship, he said where having that. We used to shout for Shearer and Hendry at the back. Now we shout for Mulgrew, and super Bradley Dack.

Bradley Dack is magic, he wears a magic hat and when he saw the Premiership he said i'm having that. He could have gone to West Brom, but Baggies are shite, He's Tony Mowbray's magic man and plays in Blue and White Ohhhh...

Nixon seems to have a real downer on Rovers probably something to do with the journalistic arm he threw around Kean and Coyle in an effort to try and dupe us into believing that they were any good. Arguably they were the two worst managers in most of our times following Rovers. His own stock has fallen to such a degree that he is almost inventing stories which the majority of us think are in the realms of fantasy. I can't believe that Radio Lancashire give him airtime and that people follow/converse with him on Twitter or read his red top columns. He is a washed up hack. Dack might be sold (as might any player for the right price) but Nixon has no more idea about this than any of us.

Serves the greedy baskets right

Yeah, but he only cost them about £7m. Dack would probably cost double if not triple that, which is why clubs tend to look abroad for prospects rather than paying over the odds for domestic players.

What has he done wrong? He got a limited outfit to a World Cup semi final, got the squad to gel, and restored some pride in the shirt. He should be rewarded. England's problems aren't Southgate. It's a toothless FA. They need to regulate their own league to enable more English players opportunities to play. Talent such as Rashford, Loftus-Cheek, Lingard, not to mention some of the promising youth cup winners are being wasted by Prem clubs necessity to stay on the gravy train.

I once heard a journo on Sunday Supplement that Nixon can throw a hundred darts and one might hit the bullseye. Such is the esteem his colleagues hold him in.

I personally wouldn't give Evans one and free up his wages, bring someone in who offers more. If we are building and improving to reach the promise Land then we need to do better than Evans. I've never rated him. If you see players like mcginn going for 4 million and where serious about promotion I'd be looking for better

For the older ones, it is very reminiscent of when Tony Field was here. Picked up reasonably cheap, proved he had fabulous skill, regular goal-scorer, fans cult hero. left for (at the time) a much bigger club. And yet we survived and prospered. Whatever happens it will not be the end of the world.

Id perhaps give him a year extension with the option of another. That should keep him playing for his next contract.

I agree. Charlie and Tony are complete no brainers. Evans has been anonymous for as long as I can remember. Contract starts running down and he's playing his heart out. Once that contract is signed we will more than likely see the Cory of old. I hope I'm wrong and he's had an injury free period and a new lease of life but history suggests his foot will be off the gas. In his defense (bad choice of words I know) he's never had the competition to push him or anyone who was good enough to take his shirt regardless. If he doesn't perform now I'm sure young Travis or Rodwell will take it off him. I really would love to put Bennett in there and add Chapman in January. He offers so much more and can lead by example in the middle of the pitch. Anyway still more good news and positive steps by the club. Let the good times roll

Yeboah was a great striker. Thought he hit a better one against Wimbledon though

In fairness to Mowbray, that first half season was a far from easy task. He had to take a group of completely demoralised, unfit and disorganised players and get them picking up points very quickly. For the most part he was able to do that, and if not for a freak season in terms of points needed to survive we would normally have stayed up fairly comfortably. I don't place any blame on him for our relegation - all blame goes to Venky's and Coyle for that. Our season in League 1 was questionable at times in terms of performances, but the quality of our squad alone meant we got promoted without too much to worry about in the end. Had it not been for Shrewsbury having a once in a lifetime season us and Wigan would have been promoted with months to spare. This season so far is similar in many ways - questionable performances at times, but we're still picking up a good amount of points. We have weaknesses but it seems like the entire division has the same inconsistencies. Mowbray's main positive attribute is his ability to foster an incredible spirit amongst the squad. The team obviously have a huge amount of respect for him and we always fight until the end. Thumbs in the middle for his transfer dealings and tactics. Hit and miss for both imo. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, usually somewhere in the middle. You could argue that this is the case for the vast majority of managers, though, so I'm not going to come down on him too hard for that. Negatives are an over-cautious approach when it isn't always necessary, and an inability to solve defensive issues which have plagued us for years. We struggle to see out games and set piece vulnerability has never really been addressed. I don't think it ever will be. All in all I think he's done a good job and would be happy with him being given an extra 2-3 years to build a squad capable of competing for promotion. Any more than that would be irresponsible imo. A lot can change in a year, let alone six.

Leeds are one team whose fans could claim to have had a wilder ride than us in recent times. They flirted with greatness in the late 90s and early noughties, getting to both a UEFA cup and Champions league semi final. Since then it has been one well publicised mess after another. Have they finally gotten things right this season? Early signs last season were promising too, before they fell away. The main reason their fans would have for genuine optimism this season is the appointment of the legendary coach Marco Bielsa. This guy has literally managed and had success around the world and it looks a real coup on Leeds behalf appointing him. As we know all too well though, the championship is a tough, tough battle to get out of. Can we be the ones to officially end the honeymoon for Marco? Recent results seem to suggest that their lightening start to the season has lost some of its buzz. Their last 6 league results have been; DWLDWD So, who has played for both teams? Here is Bigg Doggs mixed bag 11 , in our current formation for your viewing pleasure Robinson Grayson Matteo Kilgallon Warnock Batty Douglas Wilcox El-Hadji Diouf Sellars Fowler Bench- Luke Varney Have I forgotten anyone? When I think of Leeds United, this is the goal that always comes to mind. To me it epitomizes the excitement of that time period in the Premier league. Boom , have it. So after Tonys tinkering last game out, all bets are off with guessing the starting 11. Most of us welcomed the changes and whilst not a vintage performance, we got the desired result. We are up against a very different animal this game. Mistakes will be punished and missed chances will come back to bite us. My 11 would be Raya Bennett Lenihan Mulgrew Williams Rodwell Evans Rothwell Dack Palmer Graham Prediction 2-1 Rovers They are apparently bringing 8,000 fans, which is quite incredible. Should be a great atmosphere. Arte et labore

Smith is in theory a good choice as manager. Sir Lionheart of England as assistant I can only see causing problems. He's an insidious character and will be looking for a way to take the top spot before too long. No idea who the Sporting Director is.

I see that Dean Smith has been appointed at Villa, a sensible choice compared to the likes of Henry and Faria. That said, I'm presuming that the new sporting director was not hand picked by the manager, and John Terry is a strange assistant. Surely you let him bring his own assistant rather than forcing Terry on him. If he hadnt have played his last and an ultimately failed season there then obviously he wouldnt be near that role now.

The clue is in the name. 'Trust' suggests there was a bit more to the whole thing than just selling the club to the first/highest bidder without a care in the world. My understanding of a Trust, or at least the one that Jack Walker set up, is that there was a bit more thought behind it and a bit more due diligence as the people involved were under an obligation to ensure that the best decision and course of action for the football club was followed, not necessarily the one that saved them the most money as quickly as possible. Fairly sure Jack Walker said that the profits from his other businesses would be used towards funding the club into the future. Not necessarily a business decision that the accountants would have been keen on but those were his instructions. The Trust have blood on their hands, and the small consolation is one or two of them might go to bed at night wondering how much more they could have pocketed had they held on for a few more years and sold the club now for hundreds of millions like smaller clubs than ours are valued at these days. Not so clever after all.

Must be the most drawn out takeover in history been imminent for months

True...but I am pretty sure I read a broad hint somewhere that Nixon has a bit more than mere journalistic involvement with certain er forces...

I doubt any amount of funding would have prevented the Man Utd circle jerk once they announced they were forming a team. Remember integrity is a foreign word to the guardians of the game

Don’t be surprised to see Evans’ performance levels drop off a cliff once he signs a new deal. Give him a 12 month extension - max.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/16372541.mowbray-gives-update-on-rovers-contract-negotiations/ To be fair he does say he will look at it again 'later in the year' but that 'for varying reasons we're not in a position to do anything on those because of the situation and the current cost' and 'as we get towards Christmas we'll look at it again' Apologies, it was late July he made those comments, not late August, so a couple of months ago.

Evans is a decent squad player but I don't consider him a top priority. It's nice that he's had a few good games as of late and actually been fit for a few months but history tells us that, much like Ben Marshall, Evans is a player who has short purple patches and long periods of average to poor form, usually accompanied by injury. I wouldn't be averse to giving him a year's extension on reduced pay but I don't think we need to be fearful over Evans leaving. We'd cope fine without him.

Thanks Stuart. Top item in todays LT as well. Clearly with the Club doing/acting much better in the last 18 months the RoversTrust is looking to re-set its relationship with the Club. There still could be a sale and (unlike Blackpool) we do not want to be caught offguard by this. About 10 of the Trust's 800 members meet monthly to discuss strategy and actions. We have been doing a 'gap analysis' recently on which skills we do NOT have(eg Crowdfunding, Membership Development etc) and will be sending out a communication re this soon. Personally, I have been 'lurking' intently on the Attendance thread and agreeing with most of the ideas. These we may take to the Club before Christmas. Any one who is interested in the Trust's activities and future work plan can email me on chair@roverstrust.co.uk

Fundamentally, the first part is true, but I've got my doubts that any locally based journalists are on the radio elsewhere putting their key players in the shop window in the same way as our Alan is...... Nixon is such an embittered goon, where we are concerned.

It's all about what happens to the money once he's sold.... West Brom though ? Can understand them seeing him as a player who might help push them over the line to promotion if they are up there still and at 20 mill that would still be a shrewd buy. The player himself though would probably be better hanging fire but I do think the days of the likes of Spuds and Arsenal looking at types like him are gone.

Some turnaround really. Only about 6 weeks ago at the back end of the summer window Mowbray was clear that extensions for Evans and Mulgrew were out of the question at that moment in time given their demands. I'm always cautious about Rovers saying they're planning on opening talks about a new deal because there's a substantial difference between thinking about starting talking about a new deal and actually getting those deals done and dusted to enable forward planning to take place safe in the knowledge they are going to be here. I can't imagine either player will be particularly enthused if Rovers try to knock their wages down given they are first team regulars and could probably have their pick of other Championship clubs. I think both have earned new deals and both have shown they can perform in the Championship, yet of course there are risks with both as there are with most players. Neither have particularly good injury records, Mulgrew is no spring chicken. Evans is still a good age at 28 and vastly experienced and those sort of players aren't easy to come across but his time here has been punctured with fitness issues. Maybe at last with competition for places and a proper manager to guide him he's back to his best. Certainly his efforts since March have been excellent. Must say I'm surprised that in just over 5 years at the club he's made 150+ appearances, so more than 30 a season on average. Would have expected it to be less than that.

The old boy resurrected Private Hell last week mate. Sound Affects is my favourite Jam album, but the two that preceded it were sublime as well. Happy days!

Championship Trivia Quiz (data from whoscored.com) 1. We are 10th in the form table (last 6 matches). There are 3 unbeaten teams, who are they and which team heads the form table? 2. Which recent opponent is rock bottom of the form table? 3. Who is the Championship’s top scorer; having scored half of his team’s goals this season? 4. Not surprisingly, Dack has 3 Man of the Match performances. Which other Rover has three also? 5. Who is the tallest Rover on the squad? 6. Who is the only “outfield” player to have started every game for Rovers this season? 7. You won’t get this one! Who is the only player in the squad to score an individual overall rating less than 6.0 ? (Hint: he hasn’t played a lot of games yet and Dack is on top with a rating of 7.34) 8. Which Rover, on average, makes the most passes in a game (49)? 9. From Saturday, which Bolton man is currently rated in the top 20 players in the Championship? (Hint: he was a handful at set pieces and we have Dack and Mulgrew in the top 20). 10. Who did whoscored.com rate as the Man of the Match v Bolton? Answers 1. 1st WBA, 4th Forest, 6th Birmingham, 2. BW 3. Maupay, Brentford (10/20) 4. DL 5. CM (191cm or 6’3”) 6. DL 7. BB 5.89 8. DL 9. Magennis 10. DL…..that man again! Rating 7.6.

Duncan McKenzie?

Who gives a f**k, we all hate Leeds Scum and WE ARE The Rovers!! Get in their face!!

Bloody hell, you're back!! While you are here---what's the plan? Get promoted and sell? Please!

That Lowe/Williamson/Evans pairing in the centre was made worse by Bowyer playing Cairney on the right of midfield so much. Every man and his dog could see he was miles better in the centre of the park. We were at our best with Cairney and Evans in the middle with Marshall and Conway on the wings and Gestede and Rhodes up top. That team should have finished in the play offs. Those two losses to Burnley and Bournemouth really did us in. Not to mention that 0-0 at home to Yeovil which still gives me nightmares.

I hope Waggott reads this - you are charging too much money and this is one of the reasons why Attendances haven’t improved. Cheapest match day ticket of £24 is too much. Putting season tickets up by £50 after the previous 8 years of utter rubbish was a nonsensical decision. Football in the UK is too expensive and all clubs need to re think pricing given we are in an age where most matches can now be viewed on live internet streams and red buttons. Bundesliga teams charge £12-15. This is Blackburn. It isn’t a particular well off area. The price needs to be reflective of the area. West Brom only charge £20 and season tickets are cheaper than ours - why couldn’t we have had a similar pricing scheme? Salford City season tickets are £100! Seriously when we have £7 million to spend on Brereton why the need to have such over priced tickets? The fact the owners found £7 million from somewhere would suggest gate money isn’t that imperative. We don’t appear to be an Accrington Stanley who rely heavely on gate receipts. I really don’t get why we couldn’t have implemented some progressive policies re ticket prices and lead the way for affordable football. Season tickets £200. Match day prices £15. Get crowds up, build the fanbase and also be commended by the wider football world. Got to be better than the current half empty stadium.

I'd offer him til 2021 with a remit to get us promoted in that time. From everything I've read and heard of the guy since he got here, I believe TM considers Rovers his personal project. I'm not saying we'll get a dynasty akin to the greats like Clough or Fergie, but I get the feeling he wants to REALLY drive us forward into the PL and possibly Europe. Everything he says is geared towards progress imo.

I think the talk of a six year deal is a bit OTT. He's done a good job on the whole, but he's not Sir Alex Ferguson! Things can change very quickly in football.

Pluses and minuses for me. Firstly, I think he should have kept us up the season we were relegated - his negativity resulted in too many wins turning into draws and too many draws turning into losses. Brought us back at the first time of asking - job done, well done. Decent start this season - still not convinced though, last two matches (despite win at Bolton) worrying. Transfer record mixed. Big plus Dack. Brought in some duds. His 'big investments' (Brereton and Armstrong) are a concern. A very decent chap but wouldn't get carried away with a lengthy contract. In my opinion, big question mark as to how far he can take us (with or without investment). Not a believer in long term contracts. Too often, managers get new long term contracts, things go sour and within months clubs are paying fortunes to get rid. To me, I'd give him a lucrative one year rolling contract plus heavily incentivised bonus based upon league position - jackpot time if her gets us up to the PL. Would also give him a bonus based upon collective net profit on player trading (ie what we sell them for compared to what we bought them for). Payment by results is fair and focuses the mind - failure should not be rewarded in any shape or form.

Nobody in football is infallible so talk of 5/6 year contracts is daft you've got to keep the incentive going for both parties and the number of times this club has been stung i'm amazed anyone suggests it. What would've happened had we given Souness such a deal when he was doing good things then 12 months down the line if you wanted rid you'd be looking at monumental payouts or his wages on the books for years. Bit by bit is the way to go, same with the players and hopefully he is here for another 5 years as that would mean we are doing well but let him earn it as he goes along, if he wants to leave he'll leave.

Six years is a very long time when the majority of managers have a shelf life of less than 3 years and many considerably less I'd suggest a rolling 12-month contract for all managers and players - keeps them focused and hungry.

Imagine you give the bloke a 6 year contract and we end up going on a 15 game losing run and a dressing room fall out? The pay off would be astronomical. Managers these days should be used to short contract lengths. 2 years, 3 at most.

The Jam - Little Boy Soldiers. Still gives me the goosebumps this one, 40 years later.

Nearly eight years already ? Time flies when you're having fun!

That's because he's not considered ready to start, That's a comment in itself isn't it?

Attacking Mercer won't make Brereton play any better! The lad won't be reading this (if he's any sense) and he hasn't been the subject of crowd abuse when he's played. That would harm his confidence and would be poor form. Its not just about him and waiting to see if/when he comes good. Its also about what players we might have got if we hadn't signed him. Like strengthening that defence.without late fade-outs we would be in the 6 now. If we just mark time in the Championship we will lose Dack. Its an odd transfer alright in our situation, the Academy is for long-term development.

As was Sheff Utd, £5. Other 20,000+ crowds had a big away following. Phil, get real. We were a completely different club in 2001, it’s like comparing apples and pears with that era, just a half dozen years after we were Champions of England and even then we still didn’t have 20,000 home fans turning up each week for a promotion season. So after the Venky decimating of our support we won’t be getting close to it with the fan base we have left. I would love nothing more then to see those numbers, but it just isn’t going to happen in this league. We don’t have the season ticket holders at present or enough fans who will pay the ridiculous match day prices. Now if Waggott can get a grip and build up season ticket numbers over time then we might get closer at some point, but it wouldn’t be this season even if we were up there.

And we’ve lost 10,000 season ticket holders since, many of whom will never be seen again, especially at this level, which is an enormous amount for a club with our fan base. Even in the 2001 promotion season when we still had a large chunk of the 90s support to draw from, we only usually topped 20,000 home fans with cheap ticket offers. It is just not realistic with 9 and a half thousand season ticket holders and ticket prices regularly edging towards £30 that we will pull in those kind of crowds. It will be a slow build to get anywhere close. Over to you Steve.

I’d say we have had a good start to the season. Sheffield United have had a great start.

Great news that the AVC for Ewood has been renewed for 5 more years. Congrats Rovers Trust. Well done and thanks to everyone involved. http://www.roverstrust.com/2018/10/07/rovers-trust-secure-continued-legal-protection-ewood-park/

A nasty bastard centre half has to be the priority in January.