If true, then it's even stranger that Davenport has yet to make the bench. Sure, he will probably get a run in the last game, but why give it just one game when we have been safe for 4? If we plan to use the guy heavily next season, now was the time to find out if he may be up to it, before doing our summer business. I'm sure he has been fit for longer than Chapman?

It's never silly to compare unless we're talking literally a handful of games. By your logic, it's silly to compare Rothwell's shooting to Dack's too, statistically or anecdotally, hell, maybe any aspect of his game, because we've only seen him for a third of a season. But we can only go off what we have so far (same with Brereton). I wasn't trying to make any point with the statistics, I was just presenting them to add to the debate, for flavour. For what it's worth my impression has been that Dack is a better passer and shooter than Rothwell, ie, I agree with you. I've never felt statistics in general paint the whole picture - some players attempt riskier passes which have bigger pay-offs, for starters. Some players get to have more shots in the area at close range because that's where they patrol.

I was curious if the stats bore that out...I found a site claiming Joe has had 17 shots for each goal he has scored this season. It says he has had 34 shots this season, 13 of them on target. I make that 38% accuracy. I think these stats were across all competitions. Dack has 52% of his shots on target this season, purely in the league, according to the BBC. 8.54 shots per goal according to fctables.com. Their stats imply (after a little maths) his shooting accuracy was 36.75% though, oddly. Since this is the same site I got Joe's accuracy from, this seems a fair comparison. Different stat but the same site said Rothwell had an 82% pass completion, which is very respectable and better than I expected since he can be a bit rash sometimes. Dack's was 79%.

I do get up off my seat when we score, personally.

You'll acknowledge all of those are exaggerations though, except arguably the last two (which I'd say are on-and-off issues)? Yes I'd put Rothwell ahead of Dack on those counts, but no speed means he literally doesn't move. Can't beat a man front on means he literally never does, etc. The way you've phrased it makes him sound so poor he wouldn't get into our U-23s. He was crap against Norwich, and has had iffy performances sprinkled throughout the season, but we shouldn't totally re-write the script on one of our best players, our most valuable player financially, on his first season in a new league when he clearly has some off-field issues going on too. That's what seems to be happening lately, especially that crazy discussion about him only being worth £5 million.

Are there that many players in football with the surname 'New' though? Are they all good enough? It really is an almost impossible ask.

You do that, I'll assume you and the OP are being sarcastic too and everyone can be happy. I'm purely going off today, granted. But that was the best I've seen a team look against us (outside of our customary capitulations) along with Sheff U. Norwich were no great shakes at Ewood particularly, so maybe you watch them more. Our manager was impressed with them though and said he thinks they'll be alright. I'm not saying they don't need investment, just no moreso than a promoted team normally needs, on the strength of today. You forget Huddersfield didn't come straight down.

No idea what you're on about, they were excellent, particularly first half (they took their foot off the gas second half, only needed a draw remember), and didn't look like they need much investment to be safe next season. Every promoted team does of course, but relative to all those previous promoted ones, no, I don't agree they need huge investment.

Really? Think AA has been struggling. Finding himself unable to roast the fullback like he usually does, and seems frustrated to the point of lashing out a bit. Del did a godly tackle earlier, can't lie. Seems so much better suited to the centre. He was just an impersonator at left back this season and much of last.

Good example of that a moment ago, excellent crucial interception. Think that's his second key one today? But as you say, at other times he just gets massacred. On the whole, shouldn't be there.

As I said, going to have to disagree. Yes, we were poor, but for every bit of poor we displayed, they've shown excellence. They're fast, their passing is accurate, good control, technically better than we've looked all year, even when we've played shite. Not saying we don't look off the boil at all, I'm just saying that really isn't the only reason Norwich are looking so good.

To hell with that, ban him. It's completely unacceptable to be so offensive towards another poster, even if it's yourself! Besides, like he says, he's a fucking moron, so he won't be missed

We haven't been on it, but we haven't been on it on numerous occasions and I've not seen a single team look anywhere near this good against us on those occasions. I think this is one of those times we're tempted to believe it's our fault, but actually it's the excellence of the best team in the league trying to clinch promotion, firing on all cylinders. If it weren't for two excellent strikes we'd be 1-0 up! The class is making the difference.

The first, yes, the second, no chance. I wouldn't expect any keeper to save that, would be a wonder save if they did. Raya is too short to ever do it. Great goal. Norwich have been different class so far, look like champions and ready for the Prem.

Don't think anyone in the world is stopping that second one. Wow Travis!! The game of long distance goals!!

Mostly content with the lineup and bench. Sick of seeing Bennett picked ahead of Nyambe at right back though, very concerning. This isn't something I should be saying so soon after he signed a new deal, but I really don't think Mowbray rates Nyambe, and if we keep the former I'm not sure we'll keep the latter for long. A two-year deal for a 21-year old in the first team squad is pretty pathetic and doesn't bode well. Nor does benching him for a liability over and over. Good to see Chapman on the bench at last. Would have wanted to see Davenport there too, and one or two other youth players. Couldn't give a toss about the impending Liverpool U-23 game, they'd learn more from this. Jayson in goal...yeh not bothered. Has looked a bit naff, but Raya has been off-colour too. Mowbray presumably wants to give him the chance to earn a contract elsewhere. Graham in for Brereton makes sense in the context of just this match, although it may knock his confidence to be withdrawn right after notching his first goal. He'll probably start in the Swansea game though. Decent overall. If Leutwiler doesn't blunder and Bennett doesn't do a passable impression of toast, that team has enough to secure a draw, maybe sneak a win. It'll mostly come down to how Norwich deal with their pressure, it can either inspire or cripple.

I'd hoped he'd be on loan in League One this season, but somehow he ended up down in League Two again, twice! Someone on here was saying they'd heard he'd rather be sold than go on loan again. It's a shame, as I can't see him jumping straight from League Two to the Championship for a team who want promotion, especially since he couldn't get into one of those League Two teams and we need to strengthen in central defence anyway. The logical thing for the club is to get him tested properly at League One first so we can see how close he is to making the grade, but he doesn't seem to want that. Could be his days at the club are numbered...hopefully not another O'Connell scenario that we come to rue.

I know he's free, that's why I said for what he'd want in wages. Yes, I'm sure Rodwell will be on far less. His career was pretty much finished. I know Hart is finished as a Premiership keeper, but Rodwell had already failed to impress in the Championship, dropped to League One, had an awful injury record, wanted to be played in a different position...he was in absolutely no position to demand big money. It's the only reason we got him. Hart was moving for 3.5 million just a year ago, and has interest from France, Spain and Italy. It's a calibre of signing that would be right for us in that area right now, so in that sense it's a good shout (though he does have huge question marks over him, probably a busted flush), but I think we can file this one under unfeasible. He will go where he is paid the most - that won't be here. In fairness, I seem to remember thinking there was no way we could get Rodwell because of the wages, so I could be wrong. I don't believe I am on this one though, when you look at all the factors it makes sense we were able to get Rodwell fairly cheaply.

Can't see us affording him, or beating top flight (?) clubs from those leagues to him. For what I expect he'd want in wages, I doubt he'd be worth it even if we could. That would be bad, as the Dingles would also mock us for taking their cast-offs.

Depending how the point was meant, you could argue it applies to any of these from not playing them enough or selling cheap without giving them enough chances: Josh King, Mahoney (potential remains unconfirmed!), Beattie, Ormerod, Rochina, Anthony Pilkington. Jason Lowe (just trolling there). Also, we let Hoilett's contract run down and clearly didn't rate Cairney enough as we sold him far too cheap, but at least they played consistently. We let Alan Judge go twice. And yes I'm aware you could argue against most of these applying too. As I said, depends how the point was meant.

I don't think he's worth that, either, yet. But I'd be loathe to sell our only good centre half, an area where we are vulnerable, before getting some 100% reliable (or as close as you can get in football) replacements first.

Would they want to for someone who hasn't played at that level yet? Their defence seems decent, I imagine they'd plump for top flight experience if trying to strengthen it.

Anyone else a bit alarmed by how short this new deal is? 2 years is awfully short for a talented 21 year old who plays frequently in the first team. It's also the exact same length as if we just exercised our one-year extension on the existing deal. I hope at the very least the new deal has an extension too. But I think a 3 or 4 year deal was called for, personally.

Yup

So 16 goals from midfield at 21? Doesn't sound particularly available.