To his credit he was pretty definitive about Gary O’Neil having had the conversation but about Karanka it was “thought to be amongst” the candidates, so not quite definitive. I will say that there’s someone at Rovers watching us/Twitter get riled up and stepping in with an off-the-record line to squash the rumour. Jackson’s take on it is based on the same rumours. Interesting, because who actually cares if the candidates are leaked? We want to know, of course and certainly in-work managers wouldn’t want an employer to know, but there will be out-of-work managers that the club could subtly mention to the LT and choose not to, creating an information vacuum and the kind of thing we’re currently experiencing. It shouldn’t take this long to hire someone, really, but especially when we could be waiting however long for Venkys to check their spam to approve it.

On Duff - I’d love it. The job he’s done at Shelbourne (I didn’t end up going to see their game against Derry City due to grim weather and a supplier “meeting” running quite late into the Friday evening/morning) was described to me as “unbelievable.” Won the league and has instilled a real sense of… “togetherness” doing it. They hadn’t won it in something like 20 years and were 25/1 odds to do so, when he did it. I don’t think it can be sniffed at. I do not think he’ll do it based on what I heard over there from fans/observers. Almost sounded like he wanted to build the standard of the league up. Heard he donated his Shamrock Rovers wages to charity in his final season of playing, so he’s not exactly after money, either. So yeah, I think it would be compelling but I also think he has more noble aims than breaking into English football.

Karaoke has fallen out with a lot of club chief execs to date. Makes no sense, but fits their profile (if they even have one)

If new managers are being shot down on new contracts for existing players and Category A academy status, then the people interviewing and making that assessment need removing. Physically, if necessary. This needs to be confirmed in whichever way is possible, but it’s actively sabotaging the club’s future. Enough is enough.

Kargbo has to start ahead of ACD. Not a fan of so few changes, need to rest the key players, with the injuries we have.

Why are we not making changes here? Bench has loads of options and we’re visibly tiring.

I mean, waving to your family in the stand can’t be too inflammatory and at his age, he’s got to get close to be able to see them clearly.

Incredible finish, worth the 9-year wait. Not a patch on the celebration.

Can’t let the Plymouth time wasting disrupt the positive start

Think ACD has a better shot at growing into the game from the start, but Travis will be knackered come half time, doing Forshaw’s running for him.

Spending time with this - I’d be happy with Gary O’Neil, I think. It’s been said before but I think his latter stage Wolves was the rug being pulled from under him in a way even Venky’s would raise their eyebrows at, perhaps. Gerrard - I get why people are against it. The Saudi move is a big factor against, for me. As Devil’s Advocate for a moment: he reminds me - in terms of profile, mainly - of two managers that are well-regarded by Rovers fans: Hughes and Souness. Both may have had him on toast to an extent, but he is very similar in terms of competitiveness, grit, etc. it’s a different club, different time, true. But these players would be impressionable in his presence and if he could harness his prestige, lean on the staff that know the players for the rest of the season, I don’t think it’s the worst option out there at all. I would be open to it, at least.

I’m in Dublin currently and looking to catch the Shelbourne match tomorrow evening, schedule permitting. Will be interesting to see how Duffer looks as a manager. Highly doubt he’ll be the chosen candidate, but as a “what if” thought experiment, should prove entertaining

Bit of Chris Rea on the radio for the 3h drive back to ‘Boro. ✅

Should lose our manager every week, to be fair.

We live in hope

Fucking FORSHAW?!

Mowbray already prepping his first “it’s not the 90s anymore” speech in the wake of a defeat where West Brom have looked toothless against a managerless side

Three glasses of wine in and I do think that - despite everything I’ve said over the past few days - while Waggott, Pasha and Venky’s can die for all I care, John Eustace can also go f**k himself as well.

And another one

I don’t think I want different strikers than Yuki and Gueye, actually. I will tomorrow, but I don’t currently.

Lowe is Pasha’s eyes and ears at Brockhall

Warren Lucy pissed me off a fair bit being a dickhead with Carter on co-comms a few weeks ago. Can’t view this as anything more than sucking up to his paymasters. Pretty shitty move, really. Read the room amongst the fanbase or don’t say anything at all.

‘Kinell, John’s been eating good down in whatever Derbyshire hotel they’ve pitched him up in.

I like Gary O’Neil, to be honest. Reckon he’s got something about him, but same as Rob Edwards - probably needs a little longer out of the game and refreshing himself. Ryan Lowe is a big no from me. Ian Evatt - honestly wouldn’t hate it, but I don’t know if the dressing room would agree.

Convinced this guy is a WUM, but have remembered that the correlation between talent and money is rarely proportional.