Yeah, they've been shocking. Half the players look like they dont want to be out there.

Im watching Jack Draper v Lehecka from Doha now. Haven't spotted Gerrard in the somewhat sparse crowd yet! Im with you though. I want that to happen so it almost certainly won't.

You wouldn't put it completely past them.

"Understood" is as definitive as anyone at the LT actually gets before something's actually happened. That way they're never technically wrong even if their information is completely incorrect. Without splitting hairs over the degree of certainty, he was fairly clear yesterday, he thought O Neil had held talks but didn't know if he still retained an interest and he thought Karanka was returning for a second round of talks. So if today's report is correct, he doesnt have a clue what's happening as regards O Neil either way and was completely wrong about Karanka. About as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Why wouldn't you just contact O Neil or his representatives? I agree someone from Rovers has probably acted to nip the Karanka bandwagon in the bud before the entire fanbase had a complete meltdown.

Not what he said yesterday, the exact opposite in fact.

Hope this is right but if so someone better tell Jackson then. Its only yesterday afternoon he was stating with a fair degree of certainty that Karanka had been interviewed and was due back for a second round of talks!

End of the day I couldnt care less where the chuffin' interviews take place as long as we appoint the right man! (Of which I've no confidence at all)

Correct, and even if it's getting a bit tired, a tour round Brockhall would still be the major attraction for aspiring managers? Id imagine that Venky's input aside, Waghail think they'll be able to keep things under wraps easier by conducting interviews off site.

And .......(stating the bleeding obvious) If we win the next 16 we'll go up even if we dont go up automatically. Therefore have to aim to get us close to that as we possibly can with the 13 remaining regular games and to win the 3 knockout ones.

Terminology apart, a deal until the end of the season wouldnt be that unusual and for us is probably by far the best option. For someone decent that is. Id imagine,salary apart, that it's if we're ttying to hire someone beyond the end of the season that it's all going pear shaped.

Yes I saw him going into the Millstone Hotel in summer. As much as I cant stand him, surely he stays up here the majority of the time?

Of all the potential things we have to worry about regarding the manager search Id say the venue of the interviews is right down at the bottom. FWIW if London is the preferred venue Id wager its something to do with Venky's.

Hughes was actually picked after topping a supporters poll. That had some bearing Im sure.

Think Id rather have Karanka. But, have just seen him ordering lunch in the Wilpshire Hotel in the Ray Wilkins room. Purely coincidental I'm sure.

Doesn't tick any of the usual Waghail type boxes either in that he is In employment and Has his side Lech Poznan sat proudly on top of the Polish League.

Brilliant stuff Ian. "A passive salty agressive statement written with all the emotion of a jilted teenager" Love it! But sitting firmly on the fence maybe leaning slightly towards keeping Lowe in charge at the end?

Agree with you about the (in general) tortuous process under Waggott but they'd been at loggerheads with JDT for ages so Id Imagine they'd had Eustace in mind for some time.

Interestingly, that Frederiksen dude (who I've never heard of and who I thought was only being mentioned in connection with an ugly managers competition) has come in on Talksport Bet from absolutely nowhere to 6/1 3rd favourite in the betting behind 2/1 Karanka and 3/1 Ismael. Anything in it or have they seen the banter on here and got completely the wrong end of the stick?

I dont recall any interaction between Eustace and Broughton at all. By that time Broughton had gone completely into hiding and seemed to be on virtual gardening leave. The only thing I do recall from him post JDT leaving was a gushing online tribute from him to Thomasson with Broughton claiming joint credit for them developing and flogging Wharton.

Guessing that's a very old photo with poor old Keith Lee in the foreground. Noticed a more recent one on the LT website the other day of him and Waggott both looking somewhat haggard.

Agree completely with you and JH on this. On the face of it there seems to be no logical reason why you would consider Karanka for the role. His recent managerial record is terrible. Going beyond that though he ticks every box for the wrong reasons. You'd have thought a key requirement regardless of ability would be to appoint a good man manager who would maintain the team spirit and harmony fostered by Eustace, and for a couple of games by Lowe. Everything I've read about Karanka suggests that he would be far more likely to achieve the opposite. From the Club's point of view perhaps he is a cheap option and is the only one desperate enough to take the job beyond the end of the season. However, given the unique nature of the one off opportunity we currently have, his appointment would be so much the wrong fit it would smack of deliberate sabotage - much like the collapse of the O'Brien and Mcguire deals. If he was appointed, Id expect team morale to collapse, us to miss out on the play offs, a raft of players wanting to leave in summer and him to be gone by Christmas. The Burnley connection apart, I didnt feel as downbeat about the prospect of being managed by Coyle and that's saying something.

Seems fairly well agreed that Waggott appointed Eustace. Broughton I think was very much on the periphery by that stage after the two transfer window debacles.

Absolutely disastrous if it happns. What do you think? As always you've been ultra positive throughout this convoluted process.

The only concrete claim I've seen was Jackson saying Karanka is getting a 2nd interview.

On the other hand as you say it could be a situation like Leicester last year where they're already promoted and on the beach. Let's hope lightning strikes twice!