Ahem... Just call me the oracle. I always think about forwards in terms of can they beat defenders for pace, for strength, in the air and with skill. Big Mak has got all four which I don't think Ive seen in a Rovers shirt since Santa Cruz. Obviously a lower level in the Championship but hes as good as you get in this division. Just his finishing not quite there until last night... Long may it continue! Some of his tight control ball to feet was exceptional last night.

I totally sympathize with Eustace's decision, no long term plan, next season looks really worrying. But in terms of this season we actually look like we are in a much better place than recent years.

Nice to think we have Carter, Beck, Tronstad and Ohashi all coming back. Will mean them plus Kargbo and Dennis we will have a real punch at the end of games. Squad actually feels much stronger than in a long long time. Hope Batth has nothing significant.

Thought Trav, Hyam, Buckley were all very good too. Everyone had a good game really except ACD, even Cantwell managed to play a part Need to figure out how we want to use our subs with all the new signings. We need to finish stronger than we have been, we were quite lucky to not concede in the last quarter of the game.

Yeah he looks the best all round striker we have had in a very very long time. Loads more to him than someone like Brereton-Diaz He's guaranteed to cause any team at our level loads of problems. Now hes acclimatised really expecting him to keep this form going.

Hmmm not convinced at all about bringing on Cantwell and ACD. Reckon we will lose the midfield now... Prove me wrong lads.

Iain Dowie

Loving the heading back across from set pieces. Always look dangerous. Gueye looks to me like he will be our next big money player.

Great away performance so far in difficult circumstances. Really solid in defence and midfield. Offering little in the final third though... Guess just a matter of time till Dennis and Kargbo come on imo for Hedges and Wieman. But worried with Baath off that we may be a bit less solid at the back.

Think Carlsley will be paid well and have high standards coming from the England setup. Hes also got a decent reputation to protect. Doesn't make sense to me from any angle

Reckon Duff is a go-er too. He would jump at the job, fans love him, would be cheap. I'd be surprised if they were not thinking about it, especially as relegation is off the cards. Carsley also if he wanted it, but I think he really enjoys being England U21 manager - must be one of the best jobs in football that. No pressure, travel the world, develop a style of play, enhance players.

Actually maybe there is a constructive dismissal angle thinking about it? Dont know enough about employment law.

Why on earth would you put Cantwell in??

Yeah no reason why they couldn't say there is a stand-in taking the game. Same as if the manager was unavailable for any other reason - sickness, compassionate leave etc .

The bizarre nature of the Championship is such that I am not really sure whether not having a manager makes a loss more likely tomorrow. In the longer term yes... but in terms of tomorrows game it may be the team ends up more motivated. New manager bounce etc...

There's no way Cooper is ever coming to us. He'll get a premier league or parachute club.

I don't think we have the money for Rooney, and given his record I doubt even Waggott is that stupid... It seems to me after getting burnt by both JDT and Eustace Waggott and Gestede won't fancy another senior manager who will be difficult to keep happy. Everything to me suggests a relatively cheap up and coming option who won't rock the boat.

With the manager gone feels like we are going to be very dependent on Travis to motivate everyone. Extremely glad he is back - I think hes the only one who can get everyone's heads back up. I wonder what sort of relationship he and the other senior players have with Johnson? Did Trav play under him at youth level? Could form a bit of a double team to lead the side.

Reading the articles I dont think it was the transfer window that did it really. While not brilliant it was better than recent efforts. And it sounded like he was interested in roles before the Jan window opened. It was the lack of comms with the owners, the lack of a plan (not renewing key players contracts being a huge red flag), and confusion and poor quality individuals (Gestede) pushing out good quality (Park etc).

Reading that you do wonder how much the appointment of someone with no pedigree for the role he's in (Gestede - he came on work experience..!!! so mad) and the sidelining of experienced heads like John Park is really the fundamental issue alongside the lack of a long term plan and communication with the owners. There's nothing more likely to drive someone out the door than working with people you don't believe have the right capability. In terms of next manager I personally think it will be either Damian Johnson or maybe a punt on Duffer. It's pretty much a free hit as we can't get relegated, and I doubt anyone really believes we will finish top six. I don't think Waggott and Gestede will be able or want to persuade a robust character like Edwards to join. They'll want the easy option so they can regroup in the summer.

Whats mad is that its not really a lack of money that lost the manager... Its a lack of communication. If the owners were engaged in any way this could have been avoided. But they aren't...

Cant see any of the out of contract players signing new deals. Wonder if a few of them will end up playing for Eustace in a season or two.

Could just have decided that he doesn't like the shambles. Not totally sure Derby look that much better mind? Feels like part of it could be Derby might just be offering him a lot more money and Rovers can't match it.

Yeah, this is the bit that just defies any explanation, which then leads to the view there must be something we are not seeing which leads to conspiracy theories. Its hard to believe with all the heat from the court case etc they are just ignoring the situation at the club entirely, there must be a reason they want to keep it but minimise costs. But what is that reason...?

That have the ring of truth around it. Does also leave open the door to him staying if he gets assurances. But I cant see how he will though... That we are not even proposing contracts suggests to me the owners are just cutting all out of season non contracted investment