This would lead me to believe that, during negotiations, Mr Williams has suggested that there may be funds available for new players. I thought emphasis would probably be on Hughes getting more out of the players he already has. I'd like one of his backroom team to be significantly more experienced to provide him with guidance/advice if required. Bryan Robson anyone ? Has he said whether Bowen is coach or assistant manager ?

Tugay or Flitty on saturday ? He played with both. Jansen ? Saturday's starting line up will be intriguing.

Just chatting to a UTD fan about Hughes. He says when the 1st won the league in 92 he was the only player who didn't go to the party at one of the players houses. Also Robson said you couldn't ever get 2 words out of him in the changing room but whenn he crossed the white line he was a different person. Sounds like he's going to need a vocal assistant !

The betting plunge happened on monday. Ignore.

Radio 5 have a reporter camped outside the FA of Wales

From The Sun MARK HUGHES will be named as Blackburn Rovers boss today. SunSport revealed yesterday how Sparky told the Ewood Park board he wanted the job at an interview on Monday. They let him know last night that he was their man and the deal will now be wrapped up. Rovers have told the former Manchester United hero he can carry on managing Wales part-time for their two World Cup qualifiers next month. But the Welsh FA are understood to want a clean break now Hughes has decided to take up the Rovers post. They have called an emergency committee meeting for this morning to decide on their next move.

Outrageous comment. Socksy was a gem, one of the main reasons we won the League. The cross he made for Shearer's goal on VE day defied logic. His cross for Shearer to head the winner against Leeds in the last minute at home, equally so. as much as I loved JB JB John Baliley when I was young, we are talking different class here.

He did well against manyoo and i don't think any played well vs newcastle. At least give the guy 5 or 6 games before you send him packing, he is a good player! I'm sure he will be, though I thought he was awful against ManU.

He's been crap so far and I'm usually patient with new signings. From what I've seen I prefer De Pedro.

Who told Bjarte ?

On Betfair, Hughes 1/4, Dowie 8/1 Advocaat now 14/1, Strachan 34/1. If you were convinced Hughes was taking over you could make a fortune, even at 1/4

Fact is, he joined us a struggling Nationwide side and turned into an established Premiership club that won a trophy. Hopefully when Hughes or whoever leaves Blackburn, he leaves us in a better state than when he came, of our recent managers, only Dalglish and Souness have managed this.

And still some idiots are backing Advocaat like it's going out of fashion ! From 100-1 a few hours ago into 12 -1 !

When was the last time a Home Nations National manager was tempted away from his post to manage a club side ? (I don't know the answer by the way)

Has to be Mark Hughes's BAWA but could also be Sparky Hughes BAWA. We have to sort it out being the only song we sing !

Hughes drifting, Dowie getting backed.

Can this be true considering he watched Palace reserves last night with Simon Jordan ? Dowie favourite for Blackburn By John Edwards, Daily Mail 14 September 2004 Iain Dowie held talks with Blackburn chiefs about taking over at Ewood Park yesterday after Mark Hughes made it clear he was not prepared to walk away from his job as manager of Wales. Sportsmail can reveal that the Crystal Palace boss is now firm favourite to fill the gap left by Graeme Souness's move to Newcastle, having being interviewed by top officials at Blackburn

Jim's Sun scoop in full MARK HUGHES is set to be appointed Blackburn manager this week after being interviewed for the job yesterday. Welsh boss Sparky told Rovers’ directors that he definitely wants to take over. But Hughes has asked the Ewood board if he can remain part-time Wales chief for their two internationals against England and Poland next month. Initial indications from the club are that this would NOT be a problem. Hughes would then relinquish his post with Wales giving them time to find a new manager before the next qualifiers in March. Despite suggestions to the contrary, former Blackburn striker Hughes is desperate to get into full-time club management. He is the first choice of the players and fans at struggling Rovers and does not want to let the chance slip by. A close friend of Hughes told SunSport: “Mark has agonised over this move because he feels so loyal to Wales. “But he is desperate to get into club management. “He knows that big jobs like that at Blackburn are not always going to come round. “It’s the perfect place for him because he knows he has the support of the players, fans and most probably the board. “But he does not want to leave Wales in the lurch and wants to steer them through the next two games.” Hughes, 40, is now waiting for a reply from Rovers with one other candidate to be seen by the board.

From a Palace messageboard spoke to Iain tonight at the reserves match against Spurs in Stevenage (Broadhall way) and asked him if there was any truth in the Blackburn rumours? and he said "its just paper speculation thats all" then walked away. not totally convinced (maybe because he walked away pretty sharpish) I then asked Bob Dowie after the game the same question and he said "absoloutely no truth in it because him and Iain are Palace boys through and through and he couldn't leave the super palace. Was really pleased to hear that tonight.

Rather curiously, Hughes remains favourite with the bookies with Dowie a close second. Only Advocaat and Strachan are under 20-1 apart from the top two.

It's nothing to do with Bookies, Betfair is just a betting medium. It's the punters who don't know anything.

Dowie hammered and Advocaat drifting badly on Betfair. Dowie clear favourite.

Hughes drifted from 5\4 to 3-1 in the space of 5 minutes ! Strachan and Dowie coming in (betting wise)

Levein is 32-1 at the Bookies. He's no chance, forget him. Hughes Dowie or Strachan, nobody else with a look in.

Has Dowie said something ? He's gone from 7-1 to 9-2 in 20 minutes on Betfair.