Would be very happy with Valerian Ismael. Had a fantastic managerial record before his season at Watford. He also favours the formation we currently play, but a bit more attacking... perfect! Regarding his stint at Watford, it wasn't great, sure... but there are others who've done even worse there and over a shorter period of time - such as Chris Wilder and Rob Edwards. All experienced gaffers at this level will have blips on their records - if they didn't, they'd be managing at a higher level. Ismael has excelled way more than he has failed as a manager, bring him in.

We have a chance to do some serious damage up until the start of April, we don't play a single team who are near or above us, closest being Norwich who we're 7 points clear of. Fixtures until April, and their current positions at the time of writing... Swansea City (a) - 17th Norwich City (h) - 12th Derby County (a) - 22nd Stoke City (a) - 19th Cardiff City (h) - 20th Portsmouth (a) - 18th There's the argument that a bunch of those sides are in a relegation scrap and will be busting their guts for results etc... but the reality is that these teams are down there for a reason, they're not very good - and we should be beating them. We have an opportunity to go on a brilliant run here, and should be targeting at least 4 wins from those games - it gets harder after that!

Let's say that 70 points is actually what will get you playoffs this season... I've copied the league table, and added the amount of points and PPG each team would require from their remaining matches, to reach 70 points; Barring some sort of record low playoff threshold, i'd say that those teams needing at least 2.00 PPG could be out of the playoff race already. 2.00 PPG is automatic promotion form, very unlikely unless you're one of the current top 4. One could even go as far as saying that those needing at least 1.9 PPG could be out of the race... A place in the playoffs is ours to lose at this point, hope the lads can keep it up!

Absolutely wouldn't say no to either of Priske or Terzic, but unfortunately they'd fall under the "unrealistic" category for sure, despite being out of work. Those guys are UCL level managers, doubt they'd take anything lower than a lower-mid PL Club.

My number one choice would be Steve Cooper, but by many accounts he'd be way too expensive for us (if he even fancied the job in the first place, that is). So of the realistic options... A list for me would be Gary O'Neil, Rob Edwards or Steven Gerrard - in that order. B list for me would be Valerian Ismael, Raphael Wicky or Damien Duff - again, in that order. As a whole i'd be pleased with any of these, to some degree.

Latest LT article on the manager search; Blackburn Rovers are expected to ramp up their search for a new head coach this week with interviews taking place. David Lowe has performed a fantastic job of steadying the ship after John Eustace's sudden exit last week. The first-team coach has overseen back-to-back wins which has even led to some calls for him to take the post until the end of the season. That would be a left-field move by Rovers and feels unlikely, at the time of writing. Lowe did not rule himself out of the running, when asked by The Lancashire Telegraph last week, but equally insisted his focus is on the short-term. Rovers would have ideally liked to have made an appointment before the team travel to Swansea City this weekend. However, the six points and successive clean sheets has bought everyone some breathing space. Interviews are set to take place this week with a number of candidates from different backgrounds. Rovers will then whittle down their applicants and try to strike terms with their preferred target. Gary O'Neil has been a name that has been hot off the lips of Blackburn Rovers fans. He is expected to speak to the club this week and it will be interesting to see whether he could be tempted to Ewood Park, The Lancashire Telegraph understands. O'Neil was harshly sacked by Bournemouth after keeping them in the Premier League and had positive spells at Wolves before the downgrading of the team led to poor results. Whilst he wasn't blameless in that process, it would be a major coup to bring him in. Rob Edwards' name has featured more in headlines than in conversations from those leading the process at Ewood Park. It's unclear, at this stage, how keen he is to return to work. Or if Rovers indeed would like to tempt him to do so. Lee Carlsey is another name that has been spoken about. It's understood there was interest from Blackburn Rovers' side but club management is not part of the England Under-21 boss' plans at this moment. He has links to the club and knows Steve Waggott from his time at Coventry City. Steven Gerrard's name gained plenty of traction last week after comments from Danny Murphy. Aside from the Match of the Day pundit's suggestion that the Liverpool legend would be interested, there hasn't been any credible information to suggest that's likely. Luis Boa Morte and George Boateng are represented by the same agency. Whilst they hope for the pair to be considered for an interview by Blackburn Rovers, it's unlikely that they are serious candidates for the head coach role. A backroom position is not out of the question but again, nothing firm.

Fair shout! Even better if it's 71, very achievable if we can keep it up. Remember it was 69 the year the year we missed out on GD to Sunderland - christ what an opportunity that was!

I'd say 74 points gets you playoffs this season. To achieve that, in our final 13 games we'll need 23 points from a possible 39 - 1.77 points per game. 7 wins and 2 draws does it. If we can maintain what we've seen in the last couple of games, I think it can be done... will have to do a lot of damage before April though, as that's when the tougher games start coming; Feb Swansea (a) March Norwich (h) Derby (a) Stoke (a) Cardiff (h) Portsmouth (a) April Middlesbrough (h) Sheff Weds (h) Luton (a) Millwall (h) Sunderland (a) Watford (h) May Sheff Utd (a) For me, there's; 5 probable wins, 6 could go either way, 2 probable losses.

How on gods green tits has George Boateng ended up being the favourite on the betting odds? Wasn't he only being touted as a number 2? Goes to show how easy it can be to sway the betting odds, at a stage like this they're not based on anything factual or likely.

We're playing very well at the moment, clearly the favourites for this one! As mentioned by someone previously, Swansea's record in their last 10 matches reads 1W - 1D - 8L. In those 10 games they've conceded 24 goals, and scored only 5. Comparing our form with theirs, i'm certain of 3 p... hold on a minute. Sorry, but i've seen this one too many times. - Rovers playing great, high in the table. ✅ - Opposition badly out of form. ✅ - Opposition struggling to score, leaking goals very heavily. ✅ - Long away journey. ✅ 3-0 Swansea.

If we end up with Boa Morte or Boateng, after receiving over 150 applications, then I give up! Gerrard would be decent as a whole, though I can also see an interesting scenario on the back of such an appointment; Gerrard is obviously a big household name… and as we all know, the Venky’s aren’t dissimilar to your average 10 year old, largely uninterested, casual fan - when it comes to football. If he comes in it’s possible that they’ll show a slight interest again, imagine they’d invite him over to meet them or even offer a little backing… some might consider that a good thing, most (including myself) would see it as a bad thing in the long run, as we need these muppets gone.

Nixon's article; Richie Wellens has joined the short list for the Blackburn Rovers vacancy. The Leyton Orient chief has caught the eye with a promotion run in League One and in a gutsy FA Cup run. Wellens knows the north west well and has added to his experience since cutting his teeth at clubs like Doncaster, Oldham and Salford. Rovers want a quick replacement for John Eustace and have been compiling a list of alternatives. Wellens comes with a low compensation figure and his salary demands would also be within their capabilities. Gary O'Neil is well supported at Ewood Park if he is keen. Coincidentally he is represented by the same agency as Eustace. Other foreign coaches have been sounded out and interviews may be set up fast. David Lowe took caretaker charge for the win at West Brom, a result that takes the heat off the Plymouth game on Saturday

Wouldn't mind Valerian Ismael coming in you know... Ismael, Edwards or Carsley would do for me.

Disclaimer: I do not pay for his Patreon. Blackburn Rovers have put Gary O'Neil and a handful of foreign coaches on their list for their promotion bid - and beyond. Rovers have been planning for unhappy John Eustace moving on for some time and are putting names together, with many based in Europe. The Championship club have drawn up a list of an initial potential candidates and all of them are outside the UK bar O'Neil. Former Southampton and Wolves boss O'Neil has impressed if he fancies a drop to the Championship. Spaniard Aitor Karanka has his admirers and has previous experience at the level if he can be tempted back to England. Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carlavhal also has his admirers although he is in a job at Braga which makes him a long shot. Swiss coach Raphael Wicky is another possible as is know to backroom man Adam Owen. He recently came close to West Brom. One other foreign coach is in the frame but may be part of a team rather than the first choice selection. George Boateng has strong links with Rovers and worked as a youth coach with them for a spell. He is available after leaving Coventry City and could be part of a new management team. Rovers could yet expand that list but they are under pressure to appoint soon to stay in the playoff race. It is a massive test for their 'management team' who have come together this season

He stopped the rot at the back tbf, we were conceding goals at a very alarming rate before he came in. He contributed to us staying up, at the very least... but everyone knows that the lions share of the credit goes to Samuel Joseph Szmodics. Without his individual quality we'd without question be a League One club right now.

Unfortunately I expect us to get bummed tonight, very bummed indeed. 3-0 WBA.

Steve Cooper would be the ugliest, but one of the best, managers in the league... Rob Edwards would be the most handsome, but one of the worst, managers in the league... Hmmm decisions decisions! On a serious note, we'll probably end up with Rooney or Lowe if we're to be realistic.

I'm just trying to switch off from it all now. Every time I think of Rovers I genuinely feel sad... it's groundhog day, the same old shambles, rinse/repeat, death by a thousand cuts - but the worst part, is the reality that we're powerless and can't actually do much about it. The owners don't care in the slightest and likely have no idea what's going on at the Club, Suhail will be telling them all is great regarding finances, and how great of a job he and Waggott are doing etc... Waggott will be retiring soon and couldn't give a toss, he'll stick it out another year before his minion Rudy takes over. Who will they appoint when Eustace goes? I genuinely don't care anymore. Whoever it is won't stand a chance with this lot at the helm. Nothing will improve unless the new gaffer can somehow get playoffs in 15 games... and then go and win them! Just not happening is it. In the summer it'll be the same old shady, disgraceful, penny-pinching behaviour by the board, despite the amount of money earned from player sales, and the large amount of players we'll require. Eustace will likely raid whoever he can from us for Derby, probably one (or both) of Travis and Tronstad... new manager will grow frustrated, possibly leave etc. We know how it goes! I absolutely love this Club, but i'm just fed up with it all now.

Just as concerned with how many of our players Eustace will try to snipe should he keep Derby up... Imagine Weimann, Batth and Dolan will be on his list once their contracts expire. Then wouldn't be at all surprised to see him move in for Travis, Tronstad, Brittain or Hyam... fortunately Derby aren't absolutely loaded, so he can't take them all.

The title of this thread keeps throwing me, can we change it to Eustace Wants Out (Deffo) ?

Blackburn Rovers have shot themselves in the foot for a second time in 12 months, with another successful head coach on the brink of departure. Rovers fans will soon be campaigning for February 9 to be abolished. Not even the best script writer would plot an official approach for John Eustace on the day of his one-year anniversary as head coach. It was 12 months exactly since the previous incumbent officially parted ways that Eustace was fielding questions on his future. There were 15 minutes between Rovers' announcements marking the end of Jon Dahl Tomasson's tenure and appointing Eustace. That won't be the same this time around. Whilst Eustace diplomatically stated he would hold talks with the board, everyone expects this to go one way. It would be naïve to think otherwise, considering Derby's confidence to make a firm play for a head coach positioned 16 places above them in the Championship table. You don't do that unless there's been a nod and a wink that you've got a mighty good chance of landing your target. Whilst Eustace will not go out in the same blaze of glory as Tomasson, the underlying reasons are the same. Quite simply, he hasn't felt supported and views the Derby project as a better one than Blackburn Rovers'. That is a damning indictment on a board that has failed to back their last three managers at crucial moments. Tony Mowbray had Rovers in second this time three years ago and they did not finish in the top-six after a dry January. Tomasson didn't get the striker he wanted in year one and they missed out by goal difference. In year two, he'd had enough and the failure to register Duncan McGuire was the final straw. For Eustace, his cries for 'two or three quality players' went unanswered. Sure, Rovers signed six players but four of them didn't come until the final week of the window despite a mass injury crisis. There may well be some good additions over time but none of them ticked the boxes of top Championship pedigree and ready to go straight away. Blackburn Rovers do not have the biggest budget and that is fine. The Championship has a food chain and an eco-system which Rovers simply don't sit at the top of. Ewood Park attendances are bottom half and the squad value sits similarly. To be sat sixth after 31 games, having lost Sam Szmodics, is a remarkable effort from staff and players. But nobody can escape that Rovers have sold £30million of assets in the last 12 months. By my rough calculations, they have spent circa £2.5m in permanent transfers since then. That is simply inexcusable and is a huge driving factor in Eustace's decision to jump ship. January's recruitment was short-term and Eustace, like the fans, can see the problems coming down the road. Rovers have 13 players who might not be part of their group come pre-season. That is poor planning and execution from the decision-makers. When asked by The Lancashire Telegraph if he felt supported, his words backed the board. His facial expression and the smirk that followed painted the true picture. Derby sold centre-back Erin Cashin for £9million to Brighton & Hove Albion in January. They too are a selling club, for the right price. But they instantly reinvested a reported £4m on defender Sondre Langas, as well as a further £1m on a centre-forward before that sale. If Blackburn Rovers won't reinvest in their squad when they sell the likes of Adam Wharton and Szmodics, when will they? How does this club grow and create assets to plug the financial gap? They simply can't. Since Gregg Broughton's departure, Rovers have neglected contract renewals. They're running out of players who would fetch good value and those that would are diminishing because of their dwindling expiry dates. Rovers' board are fortunate that their last three appointment have been on the money. Tony Mowbray rebuilt the club, Tomasson took them to the brink before the ship started to sink. Eustace provided the life jacket and lifted them to dry land. But none of them are the root cause. I sincerely hope there is not the same revisionism on Eustace's tenure as there was on Tomasson's. They did things in different ways but, when given the right tools, had Blackburn Rovers punching at the right end of the table. Both were failed by the board. Family does play into this too. Eustace has been living in a Blackburn hotel since he took the job. His family remain at home in Birmingham, with two kids, 7 and 14, still in school. If he can keep Derby County in the Championship this season, I'm sure he will get more assurances of investment and progress than at Ewood Park. It's a risk given they're 22nd but, let's face it, why would you back against him? If he achieves that feat, I don't think anyone would be shocked if the Rams are about Rovers in 12 month's time. That is a negative view but a reflection of the trust in the Blackburn board after 18 months of short-term planning, poor decision making and lack of clear communication. They have once again played a deciding factor in driving away Blackburn Rovers' best hope of escaping this division. The book stops with them and that is where fans should vent their anger, not at Eustace.

What time does training start at Brockhall these days? Doubt JE will be taking today's session, to say the least... this can't be good for the lads, especially with a 6-pointer coming up against WBA. Big loss on the cards on Wednesday.

Possibly, but we're currently getting ripped apart every week anyway, with 2 in midfield... i'm confident that the team from last night, without Tronstad, loses this game by 2 goals. Maybe time to try something new?

Would like to see us mix it up a little for this one, we're missing Tronstad massively in the middle and don't have anyone of a good enough quality to partner with Travis - we really did needed to bring in a decent CM in the January window. Wouldn't mind seeing us go for the 4-4-2 'diamond' formation as per below; Kargbo in his short cameo looked exciting, was refreshing to see a player bomb it down the wing and beat 2 men - let's hope he has the end product to go with it! Dennis - will have to see how he gets on, would hope he'd be ready for this one. A partnership of Dennis and Gueye could be the stuff of nightmares for a pair of centre-halves. There is an argument of playing Ribeiro in place of Beck, considering the amount of matches the latter has played. Would play Dolan on the right, as he's slightly better than the other options at dropping back to defend where required. It's a gung-ho approach, don't get me wrong - well aware that it leaves us lighter in the middle and could go tits up... but consider the exciting additions of Dennis and Kargbo with their pace, Cantwell spreading balls for them to get on the end of, crosses into the box for Dennis and Gueye - could get you goals galore if done right. Maybe WBA is a risky game to do it on reflection, especially with playoffs practically off the cards now... but with 1 win in 5 and Tronstad still 3/4 weeks away, it might be time to shuffle the deck.