Blackburn Rovers backed for big Michael O'Neill action - 'it just depends on' Venky's factor | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers are reportedly weighing up a three-year contract for recently appointed boss Michael O'Neill

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Michael O'Neill has enjoyed a strong start to life in the Blackburn Rovers dugout, earning victories over Queens Park Rangers and Lancashire rivals Preston North End.

O'Neill has been appointed as Blackburn boss until the end of the season, while he also remains in charge of Northern Ireland, who face Italy in next month's World Cup qualifier.

The 56-year-old's rare position as a manager of two teams has raised eyebrows, but he has shown early signs that he is capable of keeping Rovers in the Championship.

Friday's late 1-0 victory over Preston means that O'Neill's men are now five points clear of the relegation zone with 13 Championship fixtures remaining.

Blackburn Rovers urged to make Michael O'Neill permanent appointment decision

Rovers can further bolster their chances of staying in the Championship by beating play-off hopefuls Bristol City at Ewood Park on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Blackburn are reportedly readying a three-year deal for O'Neill thanks to his strong start to life in charge of the Lancashire outfit.

Football League World asked our Rovers fan pundit, Simon Middlehurst, if the news of a fresh contract was premature, or if he had already been convinced by O'Neill.

Middlehurst told FLW: "I think he's had a really good start with Blackburn. If you look at the game on Friday night, when we got the winner, the reaction that Michael O'Neill and the coaches had was brilliant.

"We haven't had that connection with the manager for a while now. I think it's a really good, strong start. I think already he's got the fans on side as well, which is really good.

"I would love to keep him. I do think he'd be great for the club. Obviously, it just depends on what the hierarchy say and think. But the fact that they're willing to offer him a three-year contract already (shows) he must have been doing something right. I think it would be really good.

"He's a manager with a lot of experience in the Championship and obviously on the international level as well, which is also good. I think Blackburn would do well to go and make Michael O'Neill a permanent addition."

Michael O'Neill permanent call isn't risk-free for Blackburn Rovers

It is no surprise that Middlehurst has been impressed by what he has seen from O'Neill so far, as the Northern Ireland boss has steered Rovers to two wins in as many attempts.

Blackburn had not enjoyed consecutive victories since a three-game winning run over Southampton, Leicester City, and Bristol City, which spanned late October and early November.

The Lancashire outfit's triumphs over QPR and Preston have heavily bolstered their chances of avoiding an unwanted League One return.

However, Rovers are far from out of the woods in terms of the Championship relegation battle, and still have to play the likes of top-six chasers Derby County and title challengers Coventry City.

O'Neill has enjoyed an undeniably strong start to his Blackburn tenure, but if the Ewood Park side hand him a long-term deal and their form dips, they could be relegated to League One.

In that instance, the Rovers hierarchy would regret giving the 56-year-old fresh terms.