Am I right in thinking that there are (or were) in essence 2 different cases? One (the original) which the Indian Government has brought against the Venkys And another where Venkys are/were appealing to send money overseas (the one which Waggott seems to think is no longer an issue?) If so, I presume tomorrows case is regarding the original case?

For a club with funds, that may not be a bad idea. And it is a very similar system that Ismael tried to implement when at Watford. Although he preferred his "wingers" on their "wrong foot" (a preference he stresses in the linked article) However for a club with absent owners who have turned the taps off, it is simply not going to happen. Also doesn't leave much room for the apparent 7 or 8 academy players to make up the rest of the squad (as per Gestede) Personally I do not think Rovers will sign another left back this summer, and I do not think that the overlapping full back role particularly suits either Ribeiro or Pickering. But I could see him try try transition to a midfield 3, rather than the double pivot with 2 sitting players. Probably because we lose one or both of Travis & Tronstad during the summer

What's the betting that the Judge decides to have an early lunch after case 2 and never returns 😉

"Low 6 figures" according to Elliott Jackson I had always taken it as meaning somewhere between £100K & £200K, but that's my interpretation. I suppose technically that could mean anywhere from £100K to £500K? But whatever it is, he was certainly great value for money

Norwich can't afford to keep him as he is on "mega wages" with somebody quoting £35K/week on their forum Don't think he will get that much with his next contract (unless it is to sit on the bench in the Premier League), but would imagine he will be very much out of Rovers wage structure

Was a regular for them when they got promoted from League 2, then had a knee injury in 2023 that kept him from playing for over a year and then has had issues getting fit since, When he did return this season, he was in a higher division in a relegation battle with not much time to adapt From memory, he also had fitness issues when he was at Rovers also, Suspect a move to League 2 or National League

Would imagine Montgomery is seen as a younger, cheaper JRC.. utility player

Offers of contracts have to be made (or players told they can leave) by 17th May (end of next week) Not much to gain by not being truthful there

I am genuinely in disbelief that anyone could conclude that this outcome was anything other than a nailed on certainty months ago. Anyone who thought otherwise has not been paying attention over the past decade or so

Its not happening. Ismael on record (or been told to say) as saying he wants the 5 out of contract players all to stay, and all apart from Dolan will be easy enough to get done, so thats what will happen. Just accept it and save yourself a month or 2 of hoping/wishing something better will happen. In fact, the only way we don't start the season with Weimann, Hedges, Forshaw & Batth in the squad is if there are further budget cuts and we can no longer even afford them https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25140366.blackburn-contract-talks-offers-rival-interest/ Blackburn Rovers remain locked in negotiations to keep their out-of-contract quintet at the club. Valerien Ismael has made it clear that he'd like to keep the five players whose contracts expire on June 30. Some of those talks will be easier than others with varying timeframes on when decisions will be made. Rovers are well aware they will have to wait for Tyrhys Dolan's final decision. The 23-year-old will go on holiday and assess the interest in his signature in the summer before deciding on where his future lies. The Lancashire Telegraph understands that no agreement is close with any club. Middlesbrough have been linked but there has not been direct contact or any proposals submitted to Dolan's camp. It is an open race for his signature and Rovers remain in it. Staying at Ewood Park has not been ruled out, though it still feels more likely he will leave. Dialogue remains open between all parties. Rovers will submit their best contract offer and it will be considered alongside any other proposals. Whilst it will be a waiting game with Dolan, there is hope that Rovers can gain clarity on their other four players swiftly. Talks are ongoing to extend Danny Batth's agreement. The 34-year-old signed a one-year deal last summer and accepted a career-low salary to facilitate the move. Batth has proven he remains a reliable and impressive performer at Championship level and Rovers' record with him in the team reflects his influence. Ismael wants the experienced defender to remain at Rovers whilst club officials have privately expressed how impressed they have been by his performance levels. Any concerns over his age have been eradicated by his consistency and fitness record. A contract offer was submitted by the club after talks over the Easter weekend but an agreement isn't yet in place. Other Championship clubs, unsurprisingly, are interested, but Batth's preference would be to remain at Blackburn. Now the season has ended, there is a focus on ensuring that the situation does not drag on, as it has in the previous two summers. Likewise for Ryan Hedges. Rovers have a 12-month option in his deal but have not triggered it yet despite Ismael's public backing for the 29-year-old. It's understood that the Welshman's camp would prefer a new contract, likely until 2027, to offer more security. As revealed by The LT, Hedges is expected to be fit for pre-season and so his final-day injury should have no bearing on discussions. Either way, Rovers must make a decision before June 30. Ismael would also like to keep Adam Forshaw at the club after being impressed with his influence on and off the pitch. The experienced midfielder is open to extending his contract and that should be a straightforward deal to renew. Andi Weimann's knee injury could see a delay in his renewal. After a three-month lay-off, Rovers might wait to see how he recovers, though it's clear both parties would like to extend their relationship into a second season. When asked whether Rovers need clarity quickly on contract decisions, Ismael said: "Yes but now we have a lot of work to do. First to try to keep the vast majority of the players. We know it will be difficult. "Some players are out of contract. There will be a lot of negotiation and we'll wait until the end, but we know that we've got the stability we've got in this team."

Personally still think he is behind Atcheson & Litherland, who are both younger, and also probably have higher ceilings. A great season for him though

Higgins/Arsenal is a similar story with Tyjon/Man Utd last summer, with the main difference being Higgins is a local lad & Rovers fan, who has been with us a few years. Tyjon had only signed with us a year previously from Rochdale so didn't "owe us" anything But then again, Finneran had been with us since he was 8, so it could go either way

Not seen anything that they have accepted deals at this stage (I am sure they have both been offered contracts) Hoping it will be a similar story to Tyjon last summer and they will announce it at they same time as they announce the rest of the first year scholars Just hope we don't have to wait until July again!

I've included them in the "contracts expiring list" as Rovers have not yet announced the class of 2025 scholars list, so as things stand (officially speaking) they have not yet signed them up for next season. I am not declaring that either of them have already left, or that they are leaving 🙂

Has only turned 18 in March, probably needs a season at a National League North club (Macclesfield/Fylde/Chorley/Curzon/Marine maybe?), as so far a month at Bamber Bridge in the 7th tier is the highest level he has played at

Based on what Gestede has said in his interviews/podcasts, I agree with pretty much all of what you have concluded Just to add I imagine that the 3rd choice left back from the academy will be either Batty or Powell, (I expect both to sign new deals in the summer) with the other being loaned out Your other CM from the academy will be likely be either Dunn or James Edmondson, again with the other being loaned out Due to a lack of investment & options in the youth teams, I think Markanday will be one of our reserve wide players next season I fully expect Gilsenans option to be taken up to get him back to fitness if possible, maybe a loan for him too in the second half of the season I think Garrett (and possibly also O'Riordan) will get another loan rather than be solid If they get good enough offers for Hyam, Travis, Tronstad, Brittain, they will sell them, otherwise they will allow their contracts to expire as we have seen previously

Seeing as contracts were mentioned in the loans thread... I will try and keep this post updated throughout the early summer through to the release of the retention list The following are out of contract from our U21s, & U18s this summer (* = has a year option which can be triggered). Links are to their latest contract extension Gilsenan *, Saadi *, Eastham, Bloxham, Whitehall *, Gamble *, Caddick, Baker, Murphy-Worrell *, R.Doherty *, Bell *, Taylor, Shorrocks, Willis, , S.Edmondson, Ramwell, Shaw, Eze, I omitted - Dolan, Hedges *, Batth, Weimann, Forshaw, Markanday *, Vale * from this list as they are probably deemed part of the first team squad (yes, even Vale) This currently leaves the following under contract as part of our academy teams (barring contract extensions/options being taken up) I included Garrett & Leonard here despite them being overage due to a lack of senior game time this season for both of them. O'Riordan, Pratt & Montgomery will also be overage players if they are part of the U21s next season * = contract offered GK - Michalski, Barrett, Goddard *, Honor, Kahn, Thompson, Wolsoncroft, Holt CB - O'Riordan, Atcheson, Litherland, Pratt, Davies, Olson, Decandia, Kelley-Quinn LB - Batty *, Powell, Pates, Leeming, RB - Duru, Houghton, McIlroy (technically a centre back, but has played right back for the U18s this season) CM - Garrett, Montgomery, O'Grady-Macken,, Dunn, J.Edmondson, Farkas, Vare, Mansbridge, Potter, L.Ball AM/Wingers - Tyjon, Wood, A.Doherty, Strich, Dlamini, Leatherbarrow, Sergeant, McCoy, Clanford, Lister, Mullarkey-Matthews * S - Leonard (presumably to build fitness), Boggan, Mafoumbi, Joseph, Higgins, Cryer Also Odogun, although I am not familiar of his position, from his instagram, it seems like we have taken him from Wolves

Only turned 20 a couple of days ago and seems to have enough promise (and be easy/cheap enough due to his injury history) to get a deal done. Plenty of time for a 3 year deal to be given and if he doesn't step up in a year or two, he could be sold then

Whilst I remember, thank you to all those who offered thanks for these updates throughout the season. I often didn't reply at the time as to not clutter up the thread, but your comments were very much appreciated 🙂

Thanks River Boggan looks a great finisher, hope he can be tied down to a longer contract. This article indicates he either must already be 18, (or will be later this month) so will then be able to sign a longer term deal I think Tyjon will end up as more of a Szmodics type than an out and out striker. Looks to have the movement and intelligence to pull that off but possibly not the physicality to lead the line by himself. Valentin Joseph in the U18s is a real powerhouse no9 though. Will be interesting to see if he can step up an age group as he really bullied U18 defenders this season

Absolutely. Those who cannot adapt, are doomed to failure Even if we were to be extremely charitable to those who run the club and accept that spending money in January and/or promotion/play offs this season was not the plan. It made absolutely no sense to not take advantage of the position that we found ourselves in come the January window. I do not think any of us were expecting us to go for broke and spend £30M, but surely it made sense to invest in a few players who could have strengthened the team at the time, as well as offering good market value contracts to Travis, Brittain & Tronstad etc. If in the end, had that not been enough, then some of those players could have been sold on with several years left on their contracts (& therefore a much higher resale value than we see now), with no negative impact (in fact quite the opposite) on long term finances Instead we ended up with (in the main), money flushed away on short term deals for players who were unlikely to either make a real difference (Forshaw, Sanderson, Woodrow), or be ready to help in a play off push (Dennis).

I wouldn't worry about that, money brought in does not alter the budget according to Gestede

Quick roundup of all (Ithink) outgoing loans this season. Links for each should hopefully link to the individual players stats for the season (I had to find more random sources for anything below the 6th tier) Added my predictions on what I think will happen with them over the summer/next season. Other opinions are also valid (possibly) 😉 Markanday - His initial loan at Chesterfield was a huge success for him, his 2nd loan at Orient less so, will have his option taken up in summer and then either sold, or kept to pad out the squad for a year Garrett - both loans have been a disaster, needs to play some football next season, probably on loan, easy to forget he has just turned 22 in March O'Riordan - hardly featured whilst at Cambridge, was a fixture for Crewe, but his arrival coincided with them dropping from 2nd to 13th in the table, needs another loan next year unless a decent fee can be achieved Batty - seems to have played well when he was fit, but injures restricted him to less than 30 games for Accrington, needs another League 1/2 loan next year Duru - similar story to Batty, broken foot meant he missed the last 2 months of the season, needs another League 1/2 loan next year Vale - spent the majority of the season out injured, playing only 7 games, surely will be released/sold in summer Saadi - seemed a pointless contract extension last summer, strange loan as well unless it is with a view to a permanent move, surely will be released/sold in summer Mafoumbi - didn't play a minute on loan - apparently injured days after signing - strange loan as well unless it is with a view to a permanent move, imagine he will be sold in the summer to free up an ESC slot Olson - very good loan move for him, has been a fixture in a team challenging for the play offs in the 5th tier. I wouldn't expect him to make the breakthrough at Rovers, but this loan should net him a decent transfer to a League 2 or National League team Gamble - didn't really step up when given the chance in the 5th tier, imagine he will be released in summer Powell - decent month on loan at Chorley in the 6th tier, didn't feature for Altrincham in the 5th tier though, probably needs another loan next year Goddard - lost his place after a month at his first loan in Ireland, then broke his finger a week or so after signing on loan in the 5th tier which restricted his appearances. Both of his loan teams were relegated, imagine he will be released in summer Montgomery - 2 loan moves in the 6th tier that played him into contention for a first team squad role, possibly needs another loan (depending upon the summers transfer business) as he cannot be allowed to stagnate on the bench Atcheson - despite a couple of injures, a good half season in the 6th tier for the teenage centre back. Imagine either Atcheson or Litherland will be 5th choice next season whilst the other is loaned out... maybe half a season each? Litherland - filled in at right back (not his natural position) in the 6th tier, did ok. Imagine either Atcheson or Litherland will be 5th choice next season whilst the other is loaned out... maybe half a season each? Bell - the winger barely featured in his month in the 6th tier, imagine he will be released in summer Wood - 3 separate loans (3rd loan) in which the forward scored only once, imagine he will be released in summer Edmondson - was a regular in his month or 2 at a very good (for the 7th tier) Macclesfield side. Would personally like him to go back there for another loan next season as they should be competing towards the top of the 6th tier Eastham - a regular for a side that finished in the 7th tier play offs, season ended a month ago by injury, imagine he will be released in summer Davies - believe he did ok in the 7th tier at both centre back & left back. Possibly needs a long term loan next season, or will be a regular for the U21s depending upon other loans Barrett - did a decent job covering for their injured first choice keeper in the 7th tier, imagine he will be released in summer Michalski - (2nd loan) gained some experience in men's football (7th & 8th tier) at the age of 17 & 18, needs a good loan at a 5th/6th tier side Shaw - gained some experience in men's football (7th tier) at the age of 17 & 18, although seemed to be overtaken at U18 level by Leatherbarrow, Dlamini, Sergeant etc. imagine he will be sold in summer Mullarkey-Matthews - not sure if he was injured or some other issue, hardly featured in his half season loan in the 7th tier, seemed to be overtaken at U18 level by Leatherbarrow, Dlamini, Sergeant etc. imagine he will be released in summer Boggan - didn't feature for Macclesfield in his month long loan in the 7th tier, next season, he will either be an U21 regular or get a loan in the 6th/7th tier Honor - a season of regular starts, albeit in the 8th tier, worth seeing if he can hack it at a slightly higher level next season, or might play for the U21s to allow Michalski to spend the season away on loan Farkas - some useful experience for the young midfielder, albeit in the 8th tier, imagine he will feature for the U21s next year Ramwell - hardly featured in the 8th tier, in the U18 team he dropped behind some of the U16s (notably Alfie McIlroy) towards the end of the season. imagine he will be released in summer Kahn - (8th tier) provided cover for Michalski whilst he was away with England U18s, didn't impress at U21 level, imagine he will be released in summer The only games that remain for our loanees (I think) are: Leyton Orient (Markanday) Semi finals - 10th May, 14th May Final - 25th May Motherwell (Vale - should he be fit at any point this season) 10th May, 14th May, 18th May Ethnikos Achnas (Saadi - who seems to be a fixture on the bench now that they cannot be relegated 11th May