Mercer

Don't disagree, however, to have him on the bench as a game changer would be huge.

Any team promoted is going to find it difficult as Burnley's Cup thrashing at City showed - and Burnley are miles ahead of any other Championship club. We might well find life very tough in the PL and come straight back down, however, the chance to sort out the club's finances would be immense and parachute payments would give us a great chance to bounce straight back. What is the alternative? You can't plan to go up next season or the season after as it might not happen! Grab it by the b@lls and see where it takes us. Too much 'can't do', 'can't be arsed' has plagued us and held us back. We need huge doses of positivity and a CAN DO attitude.

No worries for me - we are going up through the play-offs. I fear no other team. In the main since the World Cup, we've shown we can mix it with 'the best of the rest'. No doubt about it, JDT has learnt from some earlier season 'woes'. We don't p1ss about with the ball at the back as much and our play is more varied as evidenced by some of our direct attacks. Signs are that BBD is 'coming back', Dack has to come back whilst JRC, Carter, Szmodics and Dolan have made big steps forward in their performances. Thomas whilst not setting the league alight has given us a different dimension. The Cup quarter was a sickener and it's taken some getting over, however, in my mind, barring a spate of bad injuries, we are a certainty to go up. You can get Rovers at 11/1 to be promoted and they are generous odds - good money to be made!

Dreaming here and seduced by the romance of the cup. Gone for Rovers' win at 6/1 and 3-1 at 70/1. For good measure, Leonard to come on and net becoming our new hero.

Would be fantastic to make the semi- finals. However, sadly, feel this is going to be a bridge too far especially at their place. No denying they are a decent side and I think their experience, physicality and aggression will be too much. Would be betting against Rovers under normal circumstances, however, this is one match and occasion when I can't.

We were right in the game until the last five minutes. Every team needs an Andy Todd!

Yes you did - after that super early goal, thought we'd blow them away so bet 4-1 in play. Pre match was Rovers' win just shy of evens so a nice net profit. Tip for today at Cheltenham - An Tailliur e/w. Got it at 16/1 though odds falling.

A Pinot Noir is terrific with a lamb curry! Though started with a Guinness particularly after Captain Guinness romped in at 12/1 at Cheltenham!! A terrific day, great win at Cheltenham, Rovers' win, bookies caned and super Indian and Pinot Noir.

Huge, huge result. Think we'll look back on tonight after 46 matches!

In the bag this - never in doubt. My win bet looks good so just stuck £20 on 4-1 at 20/1. Curry shipped in, wine uncorked, a good night.

Wasn't Broughton with O'Brien in Manchester dining out until later returning to Brockhall? As DOF he should have been at Brockhall earliest ensuring all going well. He should have INSISTED the asministrators were also in situ at Brockhall. IMO, absolutely farcical on the day the window closes you have Waggot in Birmingham, Broughton in Manchester, admin at Ewood and others at Brockhall. Broughton is the DOF and it's his feckin responsibility to make sure all the cogs in the transfer wheel move smoothly. It's as simple as that.

Fantastic opportunity to bounce back. Rovers by at least 2 goals. Wish we could play a Paul Ince team every week! Can't even get evens on Rovers' win but money to be made if big and bold.

Disappointingly poor so far. Wide open on left on 2 or 3 occasions. Need to close that loop otherwise....... For whatever reason, simply not 'at it'.

We have just NOT suddenly gelled! As my post within the last hour, think it's a combination of some tactical changes in how we play and personnel changes some of which have been forced upon JDT - sometimes fate lends a helping hand! Clearly, JDT is learning and showing some flexibility which is key. Time will tell if he is the 'Messiah' but certainly, I'm feeling far more confident about JDT than I was 2 to 3 months ago. As for you being right Chaddy, you eulogised about Mowbray almost to the bitter end and stuck with and defended Hirst to the end so your track record about 'being right' isn't as good as you like to think. Anyhow hope you've had a bet on us tonight, got a few beers in and got your feet up. My wine is already uncorked and I look forward to yet more winnings from the bookies after tonight's win!

Think a bit of both! We don't p1ss about with the ball as much at the back and think we've started to mix our game up a bit with a more direct approach at times. JRC and Carter have made a big difference at the back, Travis now far more effective, Smzodics has great energy, Dolan coming on in leaps and bounds and Gallagher playing where he should!

We are going up this season - I also guarantee it! We are 16/1 for promotion which is unbelievably generous. Money to be made, get in there. £20 will give you a great trip to London to watch us win the play off final. 3/1 for Rovers' win again very generous and gut feel is that will be the score in our favour - lumped on Rovers at 9/2 at beginning of week. Tough game tonight but think we'll have too much flair and energy for their defence to cope.

Strange appointment Bilic - managerial career been on downward spiral for some time. Not sure Wilder will do much better.

We are on fire and with confidence and adrenalin surging through the camp like an exocet missile this will be another win. Rovers 3-1.

What a sensational week for Rovers. For years, I thought my fire and passion for Rovers had been doused for good. Feckin hell, this is like the 'good old days'. Make no mistake Sheffield United are right up there for a reason - a very good side with aggression and a touch of nastiness (ridiculous they finished up with 11 still on the field). Rovers today were everything a supporter wants to see in their team. Gritty, determined, passionate (the essentials) but structured, exciting and skilful. To a man, we were excellent with no one worth less than an eight and a number worthy of a nine and even pushing for a ten! Defensively excellent. Pears now looks sound, and JRC and Carter look revelations, Pickering much improved whilst I can only assume Nicola Sturgeon selects Scotland's football team when the magnificent Hyam is not part of it! Travis is reborn and even Buckley looks half a player! Thomas and Szmodics give us great energy, Gallagher is contributing far more to the team in his rightful position as a centre forward and Dolan is just sensational and I think he will get better and better. Been a helluva a day so far and goodness knows what state I'll be in following dinner out tonight and further bevvies!

Feckin brilliant! On to the champagne now - caning the bookies. We are going up!

1 up at half time, would have settled for that. Blades certainly look a threat. Think we've another goal in us. Need to look after the ball more when in possession. Got my feet up and opened a bottle of Chat-du-Pape. Not worried - will stick with original prediction, Rovers by a single goal.

Think you miss the point on Waggott. IMO, he adds no value and as such the club is not progressing as it needs to and he should be removed. If only law was so simple!!! We will see. ??? - wake up and smell the coffee!!!

"They've cocked up sure" = negligence preventing execution of contracts. Bosman was a ground breaking case. This could also be a ground breaking case should Forest decide to test it in the courts.

IMO, Waggott himself has to go - full stop. I do not think Waggott has moved Rovers forward one iota as CEO and showed his true colours with the Brockhall shenanigans. You had a meeting with him and ever since you seem to have been blinded by his bullsh1t. Forest wont be suing us - just how the feck do you know? They have 'lost' a minimum of £500k (employment costs over loan period) to a potential of £20MILLION (transfer fee and wages) should Rovers get promoted. Frankly, I would be staggered if they don't seek redress. Take a coffee or two this morning!!!

Execution of contracts was prevented by what could be construed as negligence by Rovers' personnel. Forest and O'Brien have suffered financial and other damage as a direct consequence. I think those two points are quite indisputable. IMO, the arbitration appeal before William Norris KC has done Rovers no favours, portraying the club in an unprofessional light. I think some of the conclusions were quite damning which would not help in any future court case. You should note that Case Law is based on judicial decisions concerning unique disputes - and this could well turn out to be one of them creating a new precedent for the football industry if it went to court (remember how the Bosman ruling came about). Should Forest and / or O'Brien come gunning for financial recompense, I think counsel would be advising Rovers to reach out of court settlements - then again, having read the 22 page report from the appeal, I am struggling to believe that counsel actually thought this was an appeal worth pursuing. Maybe after the Berg, Shaw legal debacles and now this escapade, Rovers should be considering where they source their legal expertise.