Jordan Rhodes scored goal number 29 of the season as Rovers’ first season back in the Championship ended with a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City – but it was the futures of caretaker boss Gary Bowyer and 61 players that were the main topics of discussion.
Bowyer hadn’t heard any definitive news on his future, after completing his second spell as caretaker boss, with Rovers having four separate managers in the 2012/13 season.
Senior figures at the club expected Bowyer to be the man in charge for 2013/14, despite links that global advisor Shebby Singh wanted title-winning captain Tim Sherwood as manager.
Singh had been keen to appoint former Rovers skipper Sherwood, then technical co-ordinator at Tottenham, following Steve Kean’s departure in September, but he was now thought to be fully supportive of Bowyer and wasn’t considering anyone else for the job.
Bowyer stepped up from his role as the club’s development coach to take charge of the first team and has told the squad he will inform them when he knows more about what is happening.
“We sat down with the players after the game,” he said.
“We just said that as soon as we hear anything about what’s going on we’ll let you know.
“Players are going away on international duty but conversations will take place with them as and when required. You’ve got the phone, email, Twitter or whatever, so they’re easily contactable.
“I’ve just got to wait and see now what occurs after having the conversation with the owners. When that takes place I’m not sure yet.”
Ravel Morrison put Birmingham ahead three minutes before half time, but Rhodes levelled with his 29th Championship goal of the season, although he was pipped to the division’s top scorer award by Crystal Palace’s Glenn Murray on the final day.
It confirmed that Rovers finish the season 17th in the Championship table, four points above the dropzone.
“I thought we were poor in the first half,” said Bowyer.
“We had to have a few choice words at half time. We were nowhere near the standards we’ve set recently.
“But the second half, full credit to them and it just shows you what they’re capable of.
“I thought the fantastic following helped us and I was absolutely delighted that Rhodesy got the goal.”
Rovers faced decisions over their eight loanees going in to the summer, with Greg Sandomierski (Genk), Colin Kazim-Richards (Galatasaray), Cameron Stewart (Hull), DJ Campbell (QPR), David Bentley (Tottenham) Karim Rekik (Manchester City), David Jones (Wigan) and Todd Kane (Chelsea) all due back at their parent clubs.
Six players out on loan from Rovers were Ruben Rochina (Real Zaragoza), Mauro Formica (Palermo), Paulo Jorge (Beroe), Edinho Junior (Shillong Lajong) Bruno Ribeiro (Clube Atletico Linense) and Diogo Rosado (Benfica B).
David Dunn was the only established senior player without a confirmed contract for next season, but the club had opened talks over a new deal with which were expected to reach a positive conclusion.
Sixteen young players saw their futures up for discussion though, those being: John O’Sullivan, Raheem Hanley, Hugo Fernandez, Micah Evans, Osayamen Osawe, Christopher Dilo, Matty Urwin, Jamie Maclaren, Will Beesley, Reece Hands, Curtis Haley, Peter Wylie, Kellen Daly, Ryan Humphreys, Danny Laverty and Darragh Lenihan.
Including the six currently out on loan, Rovers had a total of 36 players under contract for next season already.
Danny Murphy, who had barely featured under Bowyer, had a year left to run on his contract, as did Gael Givet. Others with a year left include senior players and first-team regulars Morten Gamst Pedersen, Bradley Orr, Markus Olsson, Lee Williamson and Josh Morris.
Paul Robinson, Scott Dann, Martin Olsson, Grant Hanley, Josh King, David Goodwillie, Nuno Henrique, Fabio Nunes, Anton Forrester and Jordan Slew signed deals until 2015.
Jake Kean, Jason Lowe, Dickson Etuhu and Leon Best had contracts until 2016, while Rhodes and Adam Henley have a further year.
Further players still under contract at the club include Seb Usai, Ryan Edwards, Tim Payne, Jack O’Connell, Anthony O’Connor and Robbie Cotton.
