The two or three games before Newcastle last year saw Ferguson emerging as a sensationally gifted midfielder for Rovers and it is fair to say he had the Newcastle game by the scruff of the neck until he got injured. I believe there is a very decent chance he will be seen as a complete superstar over the coming weeks provided he keeps clear of injury and disciplinary problems. We have got to get a Manager who is big and successful enough to keep him when the inevitable offers come in from Tyneside and wherever.

Unfortunately, Hughesey, Charlton have all that and a much bigger fanbase. They have had 70,000+ crowds within my lifetime. With the Valley going up to 35,000 capacity soon and space for more, Charlton are one of the very few clubs with the potential to break into the Champions League. However, we do not know what is going on behind the scenes at the Valley and if Rovers were to offer Souness's reported £2m salary, Curbishley would double what he is earning now.

Remember, the more names on the list to bet against, the more money the betting companies make. So if Skybet think putting Curbishley on the list is remotely credible, then people will bet for him. I know this should be a period of high anxiety but I am feeling pretty relaxed. As always, the more I see of John Williams in action for the Rovers, the more impressed I am. I think we are in safe hands.

Perhaps Megson should come into the running? He wouldn't be expensive. What Jewell has actually said does not add up to him ruling himself out. In fact, a bit like Mark Hughes in his guarded statement of the obvious. As for JW saying he is only looking at those who apply, he is hardly going to say he is willing to raid every managerial office in the land is he? There is the little matter of compensation to be considered. No doubt a trusted third party is making discrete enquiries in the directions the Rovers board deem fit.

Souness- an accident waiting to happen! Fun article about Souey and Newcastle with more than hint of truth no doubt.

Is it any worse than the list Newcastle worked with? None of whom were available anyway At least we don't have to interview Venables!

That will make the caretaker team at Newcastle feel really good ahead of Saturday's game. Tony Parkes must have a suite of offices all to himself now. Given the tactical inadequacies displayed in the first two games this season, I don't think they were the best backroom team around although Murray seemed to get good results at the Academy and Souness was credited with giving Duff the ability to shoot straight. Many felt the Rovers suffered when Boersma stepped back a couple of seasons ago. However, to the extent it was a team achievement, some of the well-deserved plaudits for Souness' first three full seasons at the Rovers must belong to the backroom boys and for that we must be thnkful and wish them well.

Barry Ferguson on Souey's departure. Obviously has a high regard for Souness but gives the game away when he says if anyone disagreed they were gone. Hopefully, he won't miss the little black rule book and the fines lan Murray handed out if players parked too close to the Training Ground- although I wonder if that story is designed for the consumption of the spoilt brat Newcastle players.

A Newcastle view on the likely arrival of all the ex-Rovers backroom staff. If they are going, I just hope it is sorted quickly enough to really unsettle all at Newcastle ahead of Saturday's game.

Despite the headline, it looks as though nothing is settled yet regarding Saunders and Boersma. Murray doesn't get mentioned. John Williams again shows his media skills here. I like the line that we had plenty of banter that Freddie Sheppard and others can now look forwards to. He nicely defuses the stories that Souey was about to get the sack before commenting on last year being"!disappointing".

Rovermatt, that is a point I made before Souness left when I was challenged to name serious alternative to Souness. It is easier to name the clubs paying more to their managers than Souness was paid: Newcastle, Boro, Man U, Brum, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and Fulham (perhaps). On that basis, Souness was probably amongst the twenty best paid club managers in Europe whilst he was at Rovers. It also means open season for whoever we want outside the G14 and a few chairmen with more money than sense. I would guess the Board would like to start the new man on less than Souey was on but even so, it will be enough to be of interest to Hitzfeld, Troussier et al.

One aspect worth remembering is that we have also lost most of the backroom. Perhaps this will cause the board to lean towards an established Manager who knows what back room team he needs rather than managers who have not had chance to build that sort of team- Newell or Hughes. I am concerned about the youth set-up which is facing a complete change since before the summer. Not the best way to keep the Academy players loyal to the club. Incidentally, I will be fascinated to read jim's suggestion for next manager.

Sounds very encouraging but the article also says Ferguson plays with someone coveering the hole behind him. To the extent that Souness thought that Matteo would be the hole coverer, it certainly has not worked at Ewood. My concern is whether we will find the right midfield partner for Ferguson before Souness is back to take him to Newcastle.

I have not seen any official reference to Saunders, Boersma and Murray having left. Can any one confirm? Must be a bit empty up at Brockhall at the moment. Incidentally, I suspect we will need to keep a watchful eye on the Academy. Whilst Stead and Ferguson are probably the only likely targets to Souness proclivities to old boys' reunions at his new club, I would not be surprised if he came back to raid the youngsters.

Richard Dinnis is another Rovers old boy who managed Newcastle and is on the Toon Army hate list.

Doubt it would happen but Sam Allardyce definitely has a soft spot for the Rovers. I would hope the Rovers at least put out some feelers in that direction. Still sticking with Troussier or Hitzfeld if we go foreign but I am not as anti-Houllier as some. Newell is interesting but remember it was the Hartlepool fans who were shouting "you don't know what you are doing" at him.

There is only one choice when it comes to Rovers' greatest caretaker manager ever. I wonder if TP has a better chance of becoming the manager on a permanent basis this time? Interesting to read Mike Newell so firmly throwing his hat into the ring.

Another 94 pages of debate about Souness here. Controversial chap our Souey. Glad you finaly got your eigth choice for Manager- saved us from having to sack him. Has Dyer booked himself into Newcastle General to have his leg reconstructed following a training ground accident a week on Tuesday yet? That said, if he does as well for you in his first three seasons as he did for us, its going to be a good time to follow the Toon.

35 years without a trophy on Tyneside is it? Funny that, Rovers have won the Prem and the Worthington Cup in the last ten years. Anyway, here is a thread to keep you interested: link

Any chance of a full translation, Maverick? "Morten Gamst Pedersen's development at Blackburn has taken a strange turn and he now needs a Bra. Henning Berg blamed Souness who promptly left for the land of big girl's blouses in Newcastle." I think I've got the gist of it.

Nice to see the commeents by Rakesh Ranaa- The Rovers supporter froom Leicester.

Have to say I am feeling a lot more optimistic that the Rovers will get the desired winning result on Saturday. TP to work the magic again.

Troussier or Hitzfeld would be a clear statement of intent to get back to winning things. Strachan would be fun. Newell, Shearer, Hughes would be a leap in the dark. Houllier would be a worry. John Williams makes an impressive case for Blackburn Rovers in the official statement and says he expects an good list of applicants. That gives a clear hint that the club prefers not to poach.

Strachan left to have a hip operation- did he have it? I think there was no hiding the fact that he was less than happy with Rupert Lowe. It was McAllistair who left Coventry to look after his very ill wife.

Those of you who are disappointed, why not look at it this way: With Souness in charge, would we have won at Newcastle? seriously? Then come Portsmouth with a better than 50% of winning at Ewood. Don't believe me? Look at the track record of Rovers' performances against bottom of the table sides the WHOLE time we have been back in the Prem. What odds on Souness getting fired after losing those two games? At least we have got compensation from Newcastle (likely to be about £1m for one year of Souey's contract), don't have to pay £1m to get rid of him and we can look for a new manager whilst second bottom ONLY four games into the new season as opposed to six games and a full blown relegation crisis. For the first time ever, a Rovers manager has been poached and I feel excited about it!