Mercer

Great to see the Shrews in the final - let's hope they make it all the way. Stories like that are great for football.

If we got Tammy Abraham it would be a real coup - a statement of intent and I reckon he would put 1,000+ on season ticket sales Armstrong, Samuel, Nuttall before Abraham ?!?! - think someone has seriously been affected by sun and beer today. Sadly, I don't think Abraham would touch us.

Sorry, think you've got it wrong. Please show me where I've said he will definitely be gone.

You obviously didn't read my earlier post.

Really? Think you need to check the archives!

Largely irrelevant. If Dack wants offski he will go and for nowhere near what you would like. It is not wise for any football club to keep a dissatisfied asset - it becomes a case of getting the best deal you can and that best deal is only what some other club is prepared to pay.

Chaddy, whether you 'believe' me or not will not give me sleepless nights. I've said many times before, a huge proportion of stuff about football that you read in the press etc doesn't happen - in fact I'd say only about 5% does. It's the nature of the industry where events are so fluid and unpredictable and if you had ever had any involvement in a football club then you would realise that. Interesting you mention Rhodes and Venky's. Just remind me who first posted on here the deal for Rhodes to join Rovers had been finalised at least two to three hours before any press/media had a sniff of it and who also first posted on here about a potential part change in Rovers' ownership (Seneca - although I didn't name them for obvious reasons) before press/media had a sniff of it. Unfortunately, in the course of work/life, you have many face to face meetings and it is surprising just how many of those people you would not 'trust and believe' in!

I think the Bolton comparison is quite valid. If we don't make 5 or 6 quality signings, IMV, we will be in exactly the same position as Bolton were this season. Got dragged along to see Bolton a couple of times this season with friends and they knew from last season they were going to struggle. Stating the obvious, there is a huge gulf between League 1 and the Championship and we need to face up to it that most of our current first choices will, IMV, struggle next season as they did at times this season. Mulgrew and Dack and to a lesser degree Raya and Graham pulled us through this season - add Lenihan to the mix, and maybe Bennett, and after that I think there's precious little left in our squad.

Not directly, however, through my work, I have some involvement in a number of sports including football. As regards recruitment, I was just trying to demonstrate how life works in the real world including football - it's called 'tapping up' and is a facet of networking. Neither you nor I can influence whether Dack leaves or not. The difference is you seem to think that if you keep saying on the MB a certain player, in this case Dack, isn't going anywhere then it wont happen. There is a difference between wishful thinking and reality.

If that's what you believe/hope then fine. Sadly, I think you will be disappointed. Heads get turned, folk become unsettled - it's there in everyday life. I recruited a new member of staff this week, wined and dined her, sold her a deal and over she comes in 3 months' time - it's life Chaddy!

Hey Chaddy, when Shearer left Rovers in 1996 my kids cried and I also shed a tear so enough of that cr@p. Sadly, too many are in football to make a fast buck and I see this happening over Dack. IMV, his head will be turned, there will be interested clubs (but not at nonsensical fees speculated of £8million upwards) and as such, it would be no surprise to me to see Dack leave in a deal with add ons in the £3 to £4million range. I think it's 80% certain Dack will leave (think he'll become unsettled) and if and when he does, I will elaborate further.

Pace - have seen milk turn quicker. £10million for Dack ?! You must have had a nice dream where wishes were tripled! Stands out in League 1, compass might go astray in Championship and probably wouldn't at all in PL - get real!

Jordan who? Almost disappeared without trace. If some club buys Dack for anything over £7million, I will make a donation to a charity of your choice. In fact, I will say £4million.

Well we certainly wont be getting £7 to £8million. The lad hasn't played any higher than League 1 and is therefore unproven. I personally don't think £3million is an unrealistic fee. Seemingly, Rovers very interested in St Mirren's Jack Baird.

Championship will be a big challenge for Dack. The lad has skill and a football brain but lacks the pace to become a 'big' player. His stock is high at the moment and I would expect his agent to try and capitalise on this. A fee of £7 to £8million is fantasy stuff. Rovers will do well to keep him but I think he will be offski for something like £3million with a few add ons. We are in the age of player / agent power.

Goodness knows how Ewood staff and police would have coped with what went on pre ground segregation back in the 1960's. Rovers' fans congregated in the BE, away fans in the DE and they would then transfer either just pre kick-off or at half time, via the Riverside, dependent upon which way the teams were kicking in the first half. Yep, there were a few good punch ups but I can't remember anyone getting either killed or seriously injured. Think the coppers loved it more than the battling fans! Caley would have s--t himself. I'm not advocating a return to those days but I think crowd management at Ewood these days is way OTT and it's about time that the club put its fans first.

Oh dear. Some things never change. I think a slap in the face for our supporters just when there was a feel good factor stating to return. Has no one at Ewood got the balls to stand up to the police? IMV, crass management and bull s h I t from Maggott.

Wouldn't touch Chapman with his hamstring history. Sadly, don't think the lad will ever be the same - Michael Owen is the prime example.

and the Raos will say, 'we'll have some of that - will finance the club for another year without us dipping into our pockets again'. Assets will be made to sweat next season!

As would most clubs in the Championship. Easier said than done and I think we'll see how good, or otherwise, Mowbray is. With Warnock in charge, I'd put my house on us staying up - that's the difference.

I've been through three promotions with Rovers from this league and without doubt, this is the worst squad of the three by a long chalk. Two of our key players this season are the wrong side of thirty and I am not sure how Mulgrew and Graham will cope now with the gruelling intensity of the Championship over another 46 game season. Will Dack be anywhere as effective in the Championship - he's an unknown quantity at that level. Mowbray has a huge task on his hands to reshape the squad and unless he gets big backing from Pune, I fear we will be back to 'Coyleesque' signings. Will be no surprise if we do 'a Bolton'.

Would you like to share that with us then? I believe my bet is alive and kicking!

Wouldn't be my choice but generally seems highly rated throughout the game with both Fergie and Hodgson among his admirers.

No chance of Leicester job. Understand he's Sunderland's number 1 target. Lumped on him at 12/1. Now down to 6/1 but still good value.