Lancashire Telegraph Back Shearer!

And the man, in my opinion, to lead Rovers into a glorious new era is Alan Shearer.

And, as I can see from the Lancashire Telegraph web-site, I'm not alone in that view.

The former Rovers legend is supposed to be looking to get into management and Ewood Park would be an ideal place to start.

His lack of experience isn't a concern for me. Mark Hughes had no experience of club management, and look at the job he did. Shearer will be sensible enough to know he needs the right people around him and I'm sure he will already have a few names in mind.

His credentials speak for themselves. First of all, he knows the place. He was a Rovers player for four years and enjoyed tremendous success - including lifting the Premier League title.

Secondly, the fans love him. Even though they booed him every time he came back to Ewood in a Newcastle shirt, that was because he broke their hearts when he left.

The fans always chanted his name when he returned for ao testimonial match because he was a massive hit.

And if he came back as Rovers' manager, the fans would be right behind him.

And finally, he would command the respect of all the players. Alan Shearer was a top player for club and country and, like Hughes, he would be able to lead by example.

Shearer would also be able to attract big names.

Hughes, and his predecessor Graeme Souness, both had pulling power which has seen the likes of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, David Bentley, Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz grace the Ewood turf.

It's those kind of names that will sell season tickets and it's Shearer's name that could make it all happen.

One of the greats that I neglected to mention is, of course, Tugay. And I feel the Turkish star would make an excellent number two to Shearer.

The Rovers veteran has been given a player/coach role at Ewood so he's already looking to pass on his knowledge.

He knows the players already at the club and could give Shearer a valuable insight into what makes them tick.

It could even make a few players want to stay at the club with a Shearer at the helm.

Shearer, even though he's not the bookies' favourite, is the stand-out candidate for me.

Former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is odds-on at the moment but I don't think he will capture the fans' imagination, neither will Steve McLaren. Neither are right for the job in my opinion.