His form has definitely dipped, he has 5 goals and an assist in those 15 games which is as many goals as anyone else has across the season but is not at his previous level. I have noticed him being far more selfless recently, dropping deep, linking up, I think the goal at Boro was a perfect example, dropped deep, linked the play and laid off Elliott to square for Rothwell to score. Comparing the numbers, I prefer the selfish Armstrong I think.

Not sure about that, he has not been starting here every game due to poor form. Hes not ready for Liverpools first team. Not sure that Harwood Bellis is anywhere near Prem ready. I must say though that we definitely need to improve central defence this summer. Magloire is an interesting one, I would agree with your caution, but surely SPL football is far more credible than a friendly played at half pace? I would be wary of either him or Carter being anything other than back up next season though, suspect another loan will be ideal for at least one of them but glad to see they are impressing

Stats have their limitations for sure, but I believe goal conversion is goals taken to shots taken, and shot accuracy is how often they get their shots on target. I have never claimed that Armstrong is clinical or ruthless in front of goals, or that he hasnt got selfishness in his make up, although I dont see that as a solely negative trait. But looking at that from BBC, his goal conversion is fairly normal, he takes more shots and he scores more goals proportionately to that. Not far off a goal every 5 shots. The attacking player who stands out as poor in that regards is Brereton, which I can understand, he scores 1 every 9 shots. I felt he was our biggest threat for example v Reading but none of his shots ever looked like scoring. His shot accuracy shows that for every 10 shots, 6 hit the target. Only Dolan from much less shots has the same accuracy, everyone else misses the target more often. For me, the primary stat is the goals scored one anyway.

Did Johnson say it? And even if he did, and it turns out that his performance in that one game did cause team mates to argue, as is common I am sure, you then rabbled on with a theory you had as to the exact conversation, including Armstrong seemingly then going on to further enrage his team mates by telling them that he only cares about being top scorer! I never said it would, but not having his goals will make us even less equipped to go up. Not that we "carry" him anyway. I presume blocked shots count yes, included as part of your favourite 56 shot line, so those stats show that he isnt taking shots to the extent whereby his impressive goal tally is a disproportionately low percentage of those shots. And when he takes shots, more often than not he hits the target. Im sure he would, but it was just an extreme example of how many strikers by their very nature are selfish creatures.

Quite interestingly, his goal conversion percentage is very competitive, with Brereton the most blatantly wasteful with the shots he takes, and his shot accuracy is also as good as anyones: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackburn-rovers/top-scorers Throw in the fact that he is the second top scorer in the league, and has 14 more for us than anyone else, and I think these things all are a little more substantial than a totally fabricated theory in which after a game "his team mates were fuming and his view was along the lines of the defence of him on here, saying "I'm top scorer and that's all that matters."" Or indeed it is "Armstrong, not Mowbray that has lost the dressing room." He was really poor v Bristol City, and seemingly born out of frustration, took too many shots on, selfishly. It was one game though, in a prolific season. As an aside, I would have loved us to have had Ruud Van Nistelrooy in his pomp, a player who used to sulk if his team won but he didnt score, and obsessed about scoring. Was one of the best strikers in Premier League history, but I suspect he would not have been received well on here.

I still cant really understand how they can be so dominant at under 23 levels yet none of the side is close to the first team. Surely some should be pushing?

Thanks @oldjamfan1 for the reminder. Would be tempted to go with the same team. That being said, might be too much to expect of Rankin Costello but happy with Nyambe there, and Travis for Buckley with Dack given even more license could be wise.

Never seen Jephcott play. Youd think there is someone via our new scouting network to fill the void that Armstrong will leave. But Dack off Diedhou could work.

Ive always wondered why media outlets dont rank strikers on metres run to be fair. Todays theory is that Armstrong has caused a dressing room mutiny.

He is the target man who got the winner against us this season and has done so in the past I think too.

I dont think anyone doesnt consider these players ages. Many believe that whilst Buckley isnt yet ready to regularly impact on our games, he should be loaned out. Rankin Costello is of a similar age to Nyambe and I would disagree that his positioning is better. Not sure ideally he is a full back and maybe had their contracts been sorted there could be room for both. Dolan is a talent and an asset but incredibly raw I would suggest but good to have in the squad.

Equally nonsensical if they exist. No issues with support and no agendas. If people think hes brilliant, hes out of his depth, he was man of the match, he was the worst player on the pitch, or anything inbetween, put on here without rubbish about how he isnt getting support or any agenda driven shite. Its a forum to discuss different opinions, not a fan club or a witchhunt.

What is the need for that last sentence? People had a different opinion to you about his performance, therefore they must have an agenda and want to "dis him."

Famara Diedhiou is out of contract in the summer and a good striker but I doubt he would join.

Based on your opinion or supposed whispers from others? Either way, lets hope all doubters do need to eat their words, me included. I meant since he returned to playing for the first team. And thats not helped because most of his starts were not in his best position. Unless he shows signs that he is at risk of injury, of course.

Since Dack returned to first team duty on boxing day, he has been in the squad for all 15 games, getting onto the pitch every time, never missing out with an injury. He has only started 5 of these, and never has picked up an injury, both at odds with the theory that he has started too many times so soon after said injury. Those 5 games have included starts on the left wing, deeper in midfield and as a false 9 which further supports my view that playing him out of position has hindered him, as well as a lack of starts.

Also, yesterdays impressive performance has seemingly added weight to the idea that Armstrong is a hindrance rather than an asset. He has missed 2 games that I can remember, the other was the most impotent of attacking performances you could wish to see at home to Boro, just for some balance.

Had Dack suffered a series of (or indeed any) muscular injuries since his return to the first team, I would suggest that there would be weight behind the argument that he has started too many games. That is not the case, it is his form and sharpness that has been lacking. So whilst I agree that Mowbray has mismanaged him, I think that has been by not starting him often enough, playing him in incorrect positions and constantly changing his role and also the shape of the team. On Buckley, I dont think you understand that I am saying that I dont think he is close to being of the quality to be a regular in a Championship team, especially one with supposed aspirations of eventual promotion. If he goes out on loan and stars, then maybe he could be following that loan.

Maybe the 3 with Dack in behind is the winning formula for us.

No I have not had any reason to listen to Radio Lancashire, I have watched each game this season, but I see that you have aligned your opinion to his. I think that is incorrect personally, as I said he has been back fit for months, its form, rhythm and sharpness that he needs, and I think that the positions Dack has played in and the shortness of his cameos have not enabled him to return to full form. Like I said, I am unconvinced that Buckley is up to the standard to play in our team regularly. Maybe he can show something I have yet to see before the end of the season, failing that, I would loan him out. I think his use of the ball was the biggest worry yesterday. Physically he was competitive and won the ball back a few times.

To be fair, even if Nixon is right which is rarely the case, Brighton could very well go down and considering that they sacked Hughton who got them up and kept them up, you would expect them to change manager. Cant see us getting 25m for him with a year left on his contract, but when he goes, surely we should have someone lined up across Europe if this supposed scouting network has any merit/worth? @chaddyrovers have you given up on Armstrong signing a new deal?

100% of course. I just would personally suggest that for a striker, a hat trick and getting an opponent sent off would be more of a complete performance than Dolan yesterday, who was full of life, a pest, full of energy, although did little productive at the end of it, as good as he was.

Give them chances for first team minutes? What does that even mean, surely thats Mowbrays issue? I think this sanitised environment that you suggest Buckley (or indeed for anyone) is totally unrealistic and maybe something if anything that having played development football, they arent used to and that system needs an overhaul to prepare them more. Any analysis of what happens in the ground is moot at the moment, but people never have gotten on his back vocally that I have heard. Most players dont have a song either if you think about it! It suits NO ROVERS FANS for him not to flourish, and for any player, if he is deemed to be underperforming, to not look ready for first team football, then its unrealistic to expect supporters not to comment. Here, Twitter, wherever, as long as it doesnt involve tweeting him directly, these are the platforms for supporters to discuss, to praise better performers, to criticise poorer performances. I think it is a dangerous place for footballers to go on social media in general, just as it is counter productive for him to make a profile on here, that is a different issue entirely. It wasnt an issue around my support. I feel like I was balanced with my review of him yesterday, I praised some parts and criticised others. Is it because hes thin? Quite possibly, his lack of physicality does sometimes see him bullied and pushed off the ball, so that isnt a stereotypical perception issue, that is a general issue. For me, I think it is a simplistic reason, as I mentioned with my comments on him yesterday, I was more critical of what he did when he was on the ball, off the ball/pressing impressed me. That last sentence makes absolutely no sense. How does a player who has yet to really stamp his mark at Championship level suit the Premier League more, a higher level! Im guessing its a fear of the cloggers at lower levels but if hes as good as hes made out to be, that shouldnt be an issue. His supposed technical ability and intelligence should set him apart against the more limited players who dont read the game as quickly, and allow him to prove that he CAN impact on games, not even necessarily about him physically toughing up, but to dictate, to create, to assist, to score, to thrive and then to potentially push for a starting 11 place upon his return. Do you think that occasional starts and cameos suits his development?

My point was that I dont need to see random clips when I watched the whole game. Unsure if you have managed to see it but he gave the ball away a number of times in the first half, to the point whereby 2 biased commentators were critical. I acknowledged his wonderful run and pass in the second half and also praised a side which often comes into question ie his ability to win the ball back. The Dack comparison is senseless. I never said to you that you "need to get behind" Dack or anything so meaningless. We differed on our opinion of how he has and how he should be used which is for me at least constructive debate rather than platitudes and questioning of support. I was very critical of the positions in which Mowbray in his muddled up thinking has put Dack since his return, very deep in midfield, as a false 9 and on the left wing, none of which suit him. I also feel a few months since a return to full fitness that it an issue of match sharpness and rhythm rather than physical fitness that is holding him back, something which will only come from regular game time. i thought he was excellent yesterday and I put that mainly down to the way he was used which suited him much more than the other 3 braindead ideas that Mowbray has come up with since his return. Regarding next season, it is rather depressing that we are already at a stage whereby we are experimenting towards next season, but that is where we are, and also that implies that the manager will remain, which is also depressing. But I would agree, not necessarily in terms of giving out token minutes to youth players, but figuring out combinations etc going forward. Armstrong seems destined to leave, for all the criticism, we dont have a replacement for his goals within the club so will need to recruit. But Dack is the key man, he needs to regain that rhythm in his natural position, it makes sense to play him like yesterday and build around him. Defensively, once Ayala is fit, he should play over Harwood Bellis, only the former will be here next season. Kaminski is an obvious. Neither left back is contracted into next season, but we know Bell is far inferior, so play Douglas every week with the carrot of earning a contract. Right back, that needs sorting. I dont think Rankin Costello is a full back, and Nyambe is better, but which if any will be here next season? If so, probably prioritise them. Travis in CM should get plenty of game time. Davenport should be back involved when fit. Evans and Downing should only feature in an emergency, beyond winning a new deal now. Buckley? Unconvinced that he has use in a squad next season pushing for promotion, maybe one to be loaned, but give him game time to give him a go. Johnson and Holtby? Might be scope to keep one for experience, but are they fit enough? Rothwell? Not sure whats happening with his contract, not arsed either way with him. Would give Gallagher a game or two centrally, shouldnt be our main striker next year as he isnt good enough for that, but see if he can push a new signing. Brereton, again perhaps need a new deal, give him game time off the left. Dolan, again give him game time.

I dont need video evidence as I watched the whole game live. In the first half, he gave the ball away, chose the wrong pass and dawdled in possession a number of times, to the point that a pair of commentators biased to the point that they would have you believe that a play off push is on repeatedly mentioned it, and also shouts from the management team on the side could be heard when he repeatedly squandered possession. I did however mention that his run just before he came off down the wing and the ball in was superb, and his pressing and industry was impressive. My comments were based on the theory that he is a gifted player who is physically out of his depth. I felt that the physical side he coped with well, and it was his use of the ball that let him down. Mowbray specifically mentioned Buckley for praise so it will be interesting to see if he backs that up with a second start on Tuesday night. I wouldnt necessarily be against that with eyes already turning to next season as I remain at this stage unconvinced that he can be a first team regular any time soon, but would love him to prove me wrong. Im not sure he has really proven anyone wrong either. Jason Lowe and Elliott Bennett, not that I am comparing them obviously, but both have thousands of minutes to point to, did either prove people wrong with their quality? No. I particularly am confused by the comment "we need to get behind him" at the end. May I ask what that even means? Just a totally unwarranted and pointless statement that is regularly used which always baffles me. Players have been playing in front of empty stadiums for a year, and before that, did he ever receive anything but support? Has he received personal abuse on social media? Or is that a counter argument to constructive criticism of a player on an internet forum by questioning their supporter status?