It seems strange to me that Ferguson's odds have suddenly shorthened enough to make him favourite for the job at the same time that Rovers have announced that the 'short list' has increased from 5 to 8 and that they may approach some 'in-work' managers on top of that. Surely this points to the fact that we are nowhere near making any final decisions and that anyone interviewed so far has not impressed enough to have their odds shortened to make them an obvious favourite. Doesn't add up at all. I can't see Ferguson's personality and unruly history appealing to Madame V

The 'first round' of interviews will count for nothing if there was no input from India. A bit like the judges vote in the Eurovision Song Contest. Waggott has as much influence and power as Cheston did in 2016. Venky's won't take any notice and will do their own thing, ignoring all previous opinions. Anything could happen.

I am convinced that Venky's were planning to extend Mowbray's contract this summer. He decided to not renew and it probably took them by surprise. No planning will have been in place and we know they work at a snail's pace anyway. Mowbray still has another month on his contract so what's the rush? Venky's (India) had their AGM in mid May so they are probably all on holiday anyway.

Given QPR's similar league position, similar budget, similar FFP worries but a more recent premier league history, a well respected DOF already in place and the 'advantage' of being in London, I wonder why Carvalhal and Farke are not being mentioned at all in connection with the manager's position there ? or any others in England for that matter. If we are led to believe that these two well respected managers have actually applied for the job at Ewood then I would think they would be on other club's radars too and be considering their options- QPR and Burnley for example. Maybe it's all just pie in the sky or wishful thinking from our point of view. Really not confident there is any substance in these stories.

I wish I was as convinced as you are. Remember, Mowbray is still being paid until the end of June - why pay two useless managers at the same time ? Venky's are in no rush.

So the owners of the football club cut communication with the team manager when there was a very real chance of the team making the playoffs - I'm sure that was in the best interests of the club! Did Mowbray do something to upset them or are the just not interested at all. I suspect there was never much contact between the two parties and Venky's were just expecting Mowbray to turn up in the summer and get a new contract. That's probably about as much forward planning as they have ever done.

Not for me. I've got some nice souvenirs

I apply nearly every time Rovers are looking for a manager. In pre Venky days I always got a reply in the post on official Rovers headed paper and signed by Tom Finn, thanking me for my interest but informing me that I didn't have the necessary experience to be considered. I've got 3 or 4 of these letters. I've applied 3 times since Venky's took over and not received the courtesy of a reply. Obviously its only a bit of fun but I think it reflects the reality of the club pre and post Venky's. Where there was once a club that cared about its supporters there is now a gaping void. Venky's out

Venky's will expect Mowbray to complete his contract. Mowbray is happy to pick up 2 months pay ( with everyone talking about how badly done-to he is rather than how badly the team played since January ) Probably get discussed at Venky's next board meeting ( for 5 minutes at the end under 'any other business' )

I don't see why Venky's would have been lining up a new manager in March when we were 3rd or 4th in the table. Venky's like to do contract business face to face in India. Why would Mowbray expect anything different this year - he knew a summer visit was lined up. All he had to do was keep quiet and turn up in Pune to rubber stamp everything. That may still happen. If Mowbray has decided to leave then fair enough but Venky's will be totally unprepaired and this will drag on and on.

I am sure this is the case. Mowbray is still the manager and Venky's will still try and persuade him to stay. It looks very likely that he has made his mind up to leave and a job in Hartlepool may be just what he is looking for but in Venky world Rovers still have a manager until the end of June. What's the rush ?

Any bookies quoting odds on Mowbray as next manager ? Maybe not comsidering he hasn't actually resigned and has a contract for 2 more months.

I think you are overestimating Waggott's interest in the football side of things. If it was up to him he would be looking at value for money - the cheapest option. In any case, I don't think he will have any say whatsoever. Suhail and 'the advisors' will be on the case - probably telling Mowbray to get on a plane to India asap.

If we sign another manager with Middlesbrough connections that would be a scandal - Ewoodgate.

LT:Tony Mowbray is set to leave the club this summer after five years in charge, and despite his contract coming to an end, the Rovers boss says there have been no approaches, or talks, about his future. TM “The contract is running down, I will run the team until they tell me not me.” I'm convinced Venky's will try and persuade him to stay. He may have decided he wants leave but even so, I bet there will be no new appointment any time soon.

I think Mowbray will do the 'honourable' thing and see out his contract until the end of June. 1 more match and he can then go home and twiddle his thumbs for 2 months and get paid for it. If he gets bored, he may just jump on a plane to India!

Venky's do not have direct day to day contact with anyone at Rovers other than Suhail so I believe Mowbray when he says he has not had any discussions with them. The Venky way has always been to discuss contracts face to face in India during the summer. I am not surprised by the current situation and I don't think Mowbray will be either. It's obviously an outdated and arrogant way of dealing with employees but it's definitely not a surprise to anyone. Venky's won't be thinking about next season until Mowbray and Swag turn up in Pune. They both know how these owners work. Obviously, if Mowbray has decided he;s had enough he simply doesn't get on the plane.

The lack of any formal statement suggests to me that Venky's are still expecting Mowbray to visit Pune before the end of June. Suhail is the owners 'conduit' ( Mowbray's words ) and I am sure they talk to each other sometimes and since 'plans are in place' for next season, the subject of the manager's position must have come up. Mowbray has stated that he has no new contract but he has not actually resigned from his current one. He is still the manager until the end of June. I think he has left enough ambiguity to make a U turn and accept a new contract if offered.

Ainsworth has got his Wycombe team in the playoffs again. I'd be on the phone tomorrow if it was down to me.

From boardroom down.

Well done. There are some very true words here - the first 4 to be precise - "Personally I don't understand". You certainly don't

I'm still not convinced he's leaving. The interview was contradictory in many ways and he did state that 'it looks like I'm leaving' due to lack of communication. He has a contract until the end of June and Venky's are probably expecting him to pop in for a visit before then.

“I’ve decided.” "All I can do is say that there’s been no conversation, no approach, no discussions and we’re a week away from the end of the season, so what do you want me to think? I don’t feel like I’m being disloyal saying anything other than it looks like I’m leaving because there’s no contract discussions and I’m out of contract at the end of the season" Sounds like he's decided to leave - unless he gets offered a new contract!

Probably cheering them on at the Riverside.