I thought we were passing for the sake of it then resorted to slinging balls in. No attempt to play little triangles and expose them with skill. The only time we did, Travis scores. I felt Butterfield looked a tidy little player but surprised he was in defensive midfield as I was told when he was on trial here in the summer he was an attacker. But he had Dack in his pocket which is probably why we created little.

Twitter is a notoriously poor platform to base opinions on, with regards to footballers leaving/joining a club. Here's the Derby forum views: https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/32903-jacob-butterfield/page/2/#comments

Agreed. But some clubs bin off 'keepers after a succession of blunders. They've likely a new centre back pairing there too. Interesting.

I like to read WhoScored, the statistical website and it's quite eye-opening I think in terms of midfield and perhaps this is why TM is looking at additions? For example: Harrison Reed - 33 apps, 3 goals and 5 assists, 76% pass accuracy, a rating of 6.86 Corry Evans - 35 apps, 0 goals or assists, 77% pass accuracy, a rating of 6.74 Lewis Travis - 26 apps, 1 goal and 0 assists, 82% pass accuracy, a rating of 6.68 Richie Smallwood - 32 apps, 0 goals and 1 assist, 76% pass accuracy, a rating of 6.48 Jack Rodwell - 21 apps, 1 goal and 0 assists, 73% pass accuracy, a rating of 6.43 It's not much of a contribution going forward is it? We've lost Reed as well. For comparison: Bradley Johnson - 31 apps, 2 goals and 3 assists, 75% pass accuracy, a rating of 6.93 They don't do League One, but Butterfield's totals as a Championship player since 2013 are as follows: 182 apps, 18 goals and 13 assists, 82% pass accuracy, an average rating of 6.83 Charlie Adam is difficult to assess as he's played almost exclusively the last decade in the Premier League, but his average rating is 6.87 in that time. Statistics, shamistics. I know. And some of our midfielders are more spoilers and holders than creators. But we are massively reliant on Dack. Keeping hold of him is huge. But I think by adding Johnson we've improved, assuming he is replacing/or we are getting rid of Evans/Smallwood. Downing, I'm not sure where he fits in to be honest. But Butterfield/Adam are an upgrade - regardless of age - on Evans and Smallwood. However (and I'll shut up soon), if we add those two and retain the rest, I've no idea what we are playing at.

22 in October, started about 20 games at this level, one goal scored, no assists. But I get your point. In this silly age of transfer fees you'd want to be pushing eight figures for him. I doubt we'd get more than £5m.

It appears he was a victim of their relegation being confirmed. I'm not condoning his potential arrival, nor am I against it. Just doing some research on him really. Trying to paint a picture.

I genuinely didn't think he was all that. Decent, will improve I'm sure, but £3m seems about right.

The Rodwell replacement. Imposing, powerful midfielder who likes to get stuck in and is a threat going forward. Good business on the face of it.

It would be a real shame but he's young and highly-rated, so it wouldn't surprise me if Premier League clubs fancy him for a few million. Low-risk for them. I'm sure I saw Newcastle linked a few months ago but a lot's gone off there in the interim.

He played about 10 games for them on loan in fairness and this article suggests it was him fulfilling an ambition to represent his hometown team. https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17413254.butterfield-excited-to-be-back-at-bradford-city-20-years-on/

Found another. 5 minutes 46 seconds in. Vs Dingles. Sign him up TM. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBFoAf_a5QI

Butterfield videos Huddersfield. I know these aren't recent but he looked quite tidy, can see why he was talked up when going to Derby. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Inu0yqnnGi8&t=1s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=betXOT2TSt0

Butterfield goals for Barnsley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXodP52Tfns&t=117s

I'd not be surprised if we loan out Davenport. He needs games after last season and he won't get them here I don't think. Half a season in League One, then assess him again. I am not a fan of Evans. He is very limited for me. Smallwood tries, but he's not good enough at the level. But TM seemingly rates both. Not seen enough of Buckley really to judge, but Travis and Johnson would be my two in centre midfield. I don't see us signing both Adam and Butterfield. And it was Charlie who played the friendly and has had an article on the main website. So you'd expect he'd get the nod over Jacob. I'd prefer the latter personally based on age. Then there's Downing to consider. Isn't he central nowadays? Very congested in this area. Something, like you say, must give...

Long time reader, felt I'd start contributing. Butterfield goals for Derby. Scored a screamer against us in there, and an even better one vs the dingles. Will find youtube stuff too. I'd take him based only on this video over Smallwood & Evans. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5z8u3a