I suppose that's why XG was invented

This is data from stats bomb, I''m not sure on the exact nature of how they register a 'chance' but knowing how rigorous their data is I would wager that they're at least a half chance or more. As others have said, last year we were poor at converting the chances we created. This year is a perfect storm in a sense of we're not creating a lot and the chances we do create we are very poor at converting (as it was last year).

There's also the matter of "spatial awareness"---some players instinctively know the position everyone else around them, they can receive the ball and put it through the eye of a needle without having to look up. Adam Wharton' brain apparently comes out tops in this particular ability. He is super-intelligent.

The whole point of billionaire owners is so a club like us of limited means because of the area in which we reside can then compete with a lot of those from much larger catchment areas leading to bigger crowds and income. That's the whole point of it but they've even managed to feck that up now so what's the point of them ? To just provide their mates well paid jobs and their agent mates regular commission ?

I have a theory that lots of really quick players have no real football brain. And you can't coach natural footballing intelligence.

I think there's only one? That one still hasn't read the real minutes yet. So unsure if a viewpoint can be valid anymore.

People have been saying this for years and years. It never will unfortunately.

Chris Sutton eulogised about Adam in the first half particularly his eye for a pass. The snapshot you saw was when Chelsea were going all out for the win and were pinning Palace back. Even then Adam was diligent in his defensive responsibilities by tracking runners and closing down players.

Or you could look at it. If you have the basic skills to be playing at pro level, football skills can be practiced, speed can't.

I really don't understand this obsession with pace in modern football. Of course it's an asset but for me pace has to be aligned with other things like good decision making or a final pass. See Kargbo for evidence of this. Everton had a lad playing last night and on his first run my thoughts were he's exceptionally quick. However he kept running down blind alleys and didn't look like he could pass water. He got the hook after offering no threat.

Takings are more important than points here. Then we get the happy clappers running around saying lets make Ewood a fortress when the club itself routinely does the opposite.

I think I'm done with BRFCS if we end up at, Adam Wharton wasn't that good anyway.

I think it is the reality for most academy guys at all clubs, very rarely you get an Adam Wharton type who is too good to ignore, but more often the first team has holes (from injury or sales) and the manager chooses a guy who has impressed him in training, not u21s. Whether they sink or swim is up to the player and their ability. Not saying manager won't have been told by academy coaches or watched games himself, but there is a great degree of personal preference and luck involved.

Modern footballer for me. He can run a bit, tackle a bit, head the ball a bit, pass the ball 20 yards. Has he got the “ X” factor ? Can he make play ? Not that I can see.

I was thinking the very same thing on the drive home.

He always looked a similar level (maybe slightly better than) to Adam Caddick (who we released this summer) to me Neat & tidy, but nothing more

That’s what a stand full of away fans buys you.

He certainly didn't stand out for me.

Did Montgomery not stand out at under 21 level either? Certainly doesnt look close to being at first team level.

Only reason I can think of is a complete lack of competition out wide in the first team, and he is a bit of an athlete (which Ismael seems to like) which puts him ahead of Doherty, Wood etc in Ismael's thinking

Hottest day of my stay so far. We’re further down the coast, nearer to Almeria, but it was 39C on our terrace yesterday.

He will wriggle out of an answer then say down the line that hes already answered.

Still like to see how he's getting on. Out of the many that's left our club

I've wondered similar at times. I cannot comment on their performances for the U21's, but I get the impression the academy players are all much of a muchness. Excluding the obvious Wharton's and Tyjons, the optics are that you get your opportunity if the manager at the time likes you and you take on board his tactics, if you don't, chance gone.

There have always been midweek games, long before Sky came along. We play Millwall at Ewood in a 12.30 kick off soon - do you really think it's fair on their supporters setting off at some ungodly hour?