The Final, since the Competition was reintroduced, has always been played as a pre-season game. Talking to folk at Leyland the other week they said it was planned for August.

The summer will be the turning point in terms of who he brings in. If he can get the players we need, provided money is made available to sign half-a-dozen genuine starters, then I still believe he can take us forward. As I've said before, he's made the same mistake as Bob Saxton did towards the end of his time at Ewood - being too loyal to players who have served the club well in the past. I think this season, particularly since Christmas, has shown that a number of players are really struggling at this level and others who we thought might thrive at this level simply haven't been able to sustain early season form. Hopes of selling Dack for £20m to finance a rebuilding operation are long gone so once again it will come down to the owners finding the funds. At the moment I'm more than happy for Mowbray to take us into next season and I honestly believe that sacking him now would be a serious mistake.

I thought we did OK today, particularly in the second half after the substitutions had been made. From where I was sat the first goal looked offside in the build up but the linesman was yards behind play and missed it. Lenihan got better as the game went on and Rothwell did well running at people when he came on but, once again, there was no end product from him. Brereton didn't do too badly when he came on but Dack's decline continues and he had little impact on the game. Villa looked good going forward but, like so many teams in this League, were suspect at the back and were hanging on at the end. However, going forward they looked a class act, attacking with pace and skill to create openings. McGinn ran things in midfield and Abraham and Green proved a handful. I would expect Villa to certainly hold down a play-off place and it will be interesting to see if they make it this year. A gate of just under 40,000 again illustrated just what we are up against in terms of matchday income.

You are right Stuart we do differ drastically on this point and always will. For me Blackburn Rovers is part and parcel of the town's heritage in that it has been around since 1875. It's history is intertwined with that of the town. For me THAT HISTORY is it's soul. But, like every other aspect of life, football clubs evolve and they have evolved into businesses that are attractive to wealthy individuals from outside of a particular town or city who, whilst maintaining the links with local communities, also see them as businesses to be run on business lines. Our history is what it is because of the financial input of several wealthy benefactors over several generations. Our history is why we are regarded as one of the more successful town clubs in the country. The difference today is that our owners are not local, but then the owners of so many of our clubs have no links to the town or city within which the club sits. That's the continued evolvement of football and I doubt it will change anytime soon. I suspect that the majority of supporters who go to Ewood on a regular basis still see the club as one that represents the town - I know I do, as do my friends. In continuing to support the club we are simply following the footprints of generations of supporters that go back to 1875 - that's not something I would wish to see easily dismissed.

Actually it's not our business Stuart and that's what supporters don't seem to understand. Football has changed. Clubs are no longer run by the local butcher, baker etc. They are owned, largely, by big business who run them on business lines. The old system for the Rovers ended when Jack took over. It was run how Jack wanted it to be run - the advantage being that he was also a supporter of the club - but he ran it how he wanted to run it - when Kenny wanted new players after the title win Jack took a different view and it was his view that counted. Jack wanted to get the business to be self-sufficient so that it didn't rely on him pumping money in all the time. It was one of the reasons he was so keen to set up the Academy. Steve Waggott has also talked about getting away from the 'owner dependency' model but I'm not convinced that we can ever do that, even with Premier League football. We can complain all we like, and I often do, but the old system has gone for good. A look at any Indian financial website will show you how many businesses that Mrs. Desai, her husband and brothers, either own or are the largest shareholders in. The last time I looked it was something over 50. The only one making a loss seemed to be Rovers which is why I suspect that the new administrative structure has been brought in. Football is big business and it's what attracts wealthy individuals to adding a sporting franchise to their portfolio and sadly, that is what football clubs have become - another addition to a business portfolio. You only need look at American football and baseball to see the way the wind is blowing. The expansion of the European Champions League tells you everything you need to know about the long term future of football. Apologies mod, just noticed that in replying to Stuart it has nothing to do with Sheff. Wed.

No - fans were singing as usual. I would say the majority of fans are still behind him. I suspect the summer transfers and the early months of next season will be the make or break point. I think most fans realise that he tried to be loyal to last season's players - perhaps too loyal in some cases - but that he realises that changes are needed and are prepared to see what he does. He is saying the right things in terms of what we need but it is now up to him to go out and get them - provided the owners give him the required budget.

It will be a big summer for Mowbray and much will depend on the budget he is given. There are a number who helped us out of League One who now need to move on and be replaced with more experienced players to add to our youngsters. Personally, I still think the manager deserves the opportunity to rebuild in the summer. His brief this season was to make sure we retained our place in the Championship - which I'm sure we will. I don't think the crowd have turned on the manager and seem prepared to give him more time than some on here. Ultimately, it will be the owners who, as always, will make the decision about when and if to replace him.

Agree with arbitro in that I thought we actually played quite well today. No excuse for Raya and the last goal and the lad could do with a break. I thought young Tyler worked hard but it was a big ask for a young lad to try and hold the line when those around him were all over the place defensively. I've listened to Mowbray's interview on Rothwell and, to a certain extent, can see where he is coming from. He did some great stuff and some stuff that was a bit like a youngster in trying to beat one too many instead of making a simple pass. Mowbray describes him as a work in progress and I think that's probably right. He has the potential to be a major player for this club if he develops the weaker points of his game. Pleased to see Buckley play today - particularly after another impressive performance last night. I thought he did very well and certainly didn't look out of place at this level. Hopefully, we'll see one or two more youngsters being brought in - surely Charley Doyle and Danny Butterworth can't be too far away. It will be a big summer for Mowbray to get rid of some of those surplus to requirements and bring in some new blood. Much will depend on the budget he is given.

A good win tonight but the game was closer than the 4-1 scoreline would suggest, particularly in the first half. Rovers started very well and were on top when they opened the scoring through Hayden Carter - who looks so much better at centre-back than as a wing-back or full-back. Then Stoke equalised and it became a very even game. In the second half we got on top and took our chances when they came. Joe's first goal was special - a really superb piece of individualism. Joe had an excellent game in his new attacking full-back role although I thought Charley Doyle was our best player on the night - really commanding at the back and a brilliant run to create the goal for Jack Vale. Chapman had a fairly quiet night, one or two moments but still looks off the pace over 90 minutes. He's getting there but still doesn't look ready for the first team. Interesting to see Tre Pemberton in the Stoke line-up - certainly hasn't lived up to the promise he showed as a youngster with the Rovers according to the Stoke fans we spoke to.

Cracking game at Leyland tonight between two sides playing very attractive, attacking football. The lads did exceptionally well to pull back from two goals down to gain a valuable point in the relegation battle. Brighton looked the better side in the first half but in the second half we got on top with some excellent attacking football with both Joe Rankin-Costello and Lewis Thompson doing some excellent work as attacking full-backs - plenty of dangerous crosses delivered some delightful link-up play with Danny Butterworth and Stefan Mols. Buckley was again impressive in midfield and looks a fine prospect for the future. Three games left and still all to play for with West Ham picking up three points tonight - still three points behind us but with a game in hand and a better goal difference. It's going to be a tight finish at the bottom but, hopefully, we can get the points to keep us out of the bottom two - the away game at Tottenham is now looking likely to be huge as we are both locked on the same number of points.

At one point this season we had won one in thirteen Premier League 2 and Premier Cup games so I'm not sure about winning games regularly. My point was that winning games is not Johnson's main task although, of course, winning does help build confidence. However, it's mainly about player development and player education and he does a fantastic job at that. If he can get a couple of players through to become first team regulars then he will have done a good job. To be honest the game plan changes dependent on the opposition and players available. We can field a back three one week then a back four the week after - indeed, rather like the first team it can change during the game. Players are encouraged to play in different positions as part of that development - thus Hayden Carter appears at centre-back, right-back or right-wing back. Johnson has done a fantastic job with the Under-23's but it is a totally different job from first team manager. On a different point, bringing the lad over from India to the Academy is a real positive. Obviously, if he has represented his country at youth level the lad must have something about him and hopefully a spell with our Academy will improve his game and give him valuable experience.

There is a world of difference between that level and senior level. Johnson himself will tell you that at Under-23 level winning is not as important as player development. This season it wasn't until October until we won our first League game, and we weren't playing particularly well, which would have meant Johnson would have got the same stick as Mowbray for the present run. I have no doubt that Johnson will make a decent manager one day if that is what he wants or he may see his career more as a coach of younger players and helping them to develop.

I think he's talking about the transfer window arbitro and how it stops you strengthening as and when rather than having to wait until the summer.

I watched the game at Doncaster last week and Brereton, although he scored a couple, didn't look anything special and at times was so easily knocked off the ball - and Doncaster were fielding a number of their Under-18's in that game. For me, he needs to spend time with the Under-23's and needs to build his upper body strength if he is going to be competitive in the Championship. We tend to forget that he is still very young and his game is still in its development stage and far from the finished article.

Not signing anyone who could go straight into the team and improve it. With ten players moving out on loan and two long term injuries, it meant we would be short if we suffered injuries or suspensions - which we have.

Personally, I believe the club in general is in a much better place than it was two years ago. The development squad looks strong and offers hope for the future. At senior level, despite this awful recent run, I believe we are better than two years ago. This season we only lost one of our opening ten games, but drew too many. Since then results have been erratic - which is understandable for a club coming up - but we are on course to consolidate in terms of staying in the division although there is still work to do to ensure that. Looking at the remaining fixtures of the club's below us I don't believe we need that many more points before we can start to give some of the younger players an opportunity. At the moment we have too many players who have totally lost form - Raya, Mulgrew, Dack etc. were mainstays and now look very indifferent. My main criticisms of the manager are in two areas. Firstly I think he should have added a couple of players to the squad in January, particularly as we have ten players out on loan and two long term injuries. Secondly, like Bob Saxton, I think he has been too loyal to one or two players. Ultimately that did for Saxton and it will for Mowbray if he doesn't make changes in the summer. I believe he knows that and I believe he will make changes. Only time will tell if they are good enough but that's the same with any transfer and any manager. But in general, I believe the club as a whole is in a much better place than it was two years ago and Mowbray has had a large part to play in that. I accept some will disagree but that's football - it's a game of opinions.

The problem is that the way Dack has been playing for the last few weeks we aren't going to raise much money by selling him. Clubs seem to have worked out that if he is marked closely he struggles to make an impact on the game. Initially there was talk of getting £25 million, then £15 million, I suspect we might end up with around £10 million if we are lucky.

My best eleven would be: Friedel Newton, Hendry, England, Le Saux Douglas, Clayton, Tugay, Duff Shearer, McEvoy. I feel guilty leaving out the likes of Pickering, Ferguson, Waggy, Hole, Berg etc. We really have had some wonderful players over the years.

For me he was playing as a shield in front of their back four. Whenever we put the ball in the box or at set-pieces he dropped back and cleared everything. He certainly wasn't a creative player in terms of creating chances or playing 50 yard passes which, in fairness, Rodwell did on more than one occasion, but that wasn't his role. With two centre-backs behind him he made a formidable defensive trio. When he defended he cleared everything which is what he was asked to do.

It's called having an opinion Mercer. I still believe he is the right man for the job. He said it would be a slow, gradual build. That is what the owners have bought into and personally he should be given the opportunity to see it through. You may find him uninspiring, that's your view, others have a different view. The summer will see a number of changes to the squad and I'll judge him this time next year. Personally, I think he has done enough to deserve longer to see his proposed changes through. Coyle over Mowbray? Really? That's a serious proposition? Ultimately it doesn't matter what you or I think. It's the owners who will make the final judgement.

In fairness, Mowbray has given these players every opportunity to prove they can cut it at this level. Sadly a number of them have found it a step too far in recent weeks. Two centre-halves will be brought in and rightly so. Mulgrew and Rodwell may well be nice footballers but defenders who will put their body on the line they are not. Rotherham's centre-half didn't have the footballing skills of Mulgrew or Rodwell but he headed and kicked everything away when he had to and then went up the other end to head home two goals. I like Raya but I think it's time he was taken out of the firing line and given a rest. I thought Dack was poor today - not for the first time - and I suspect his value is dropping by the week. It will be a big summer for both Mowbray and the club.

Fortunately, the owners have a different view and like many fans have faith in him, without being blind to his faults, but believe he is exactly the right man for this club at this point in our history.

Fully agree with you about Buckley. He looks so wonderfully balanced when on the ball he almost seems to glide past opponents and, of course, can pick out a pass to set his front men going. He's one we really need to get to sign a long term contract.

The only people who have the right to ask questions of any manager are the people who employ him and play his wages. Manager's certainly don't have to justify decisions they make to supporters but our present one is very good at explaining what he does and why although he has no need to. Supporters may offer a view on a manager but suggesting that they are accountable to complete strangers for decisions they make seems rather odd.

According to the receiver - on the Blackpool Gazette site - Ian has had a long association with Blackpool and is a former season ticket holder there. The article confirms that he acted as a non-executive director at Bolton.