[Post edited 2 Sep 9:28]

Measure of progress by bsw72 2 Sep 8:46
I would hope everyone on this list is behind the club, apart from the obvious trollers, although school's back now :-).

Chaplin is a great discussion point and I think fans have a much more a more romantic view based on his prior contributions in the League 1 promotion rather than recent contributions and future potential this season. I do not think that Chaplin has had a significant impact on matches since mid season 23-24.

He was outstanding in 22-23 and carried that in 23-24 up to around mid December 23, scoring 9 and contributing 7 assists. From start of 22-23 to mid December 23 he scored 35 league goals in 67 matches, pretty much a goal every other game, plus 12 assists.

I remember that there was discussion on here about how Chaplin's form seemed to drop in the second half of the Championship season, luckily the impact of that drop was lessened by Omari developing and filling the gap (Omari scored 9 of his 10 goals from mid December), so impact was not felt.

Since the start of the year in 2024, Chaplin has scored 6 goals in 42 league matches (5 in 20 at Champ level and 1 in 22 at PL level) and 3 assists (2 in Champ and 1 in PL). He was hampered with a knee injury at start of this year which will have impacted, as will the step up in levels from League 1 to Champ to PL, but his level of impact and contribution to the team and results has without doubt dropped.

Now compare that contribution to some others, who are maybe not looked at so fondly because of price tag they came with and the fact they were not members of the double promotion team - obvs looking at the PL season only.

Szmodics - Played 20, 4 goals but no assists (Hampered by injury significantly)
J Clarke - Played 31, 4 assists but no goals.
Philogene - Played 10, 2 goals

I agree the above have not set the world on fire but everyone struggled last season, but what they contributed are on a par at least with Chaplin, however they are judged much more harshly.

If people are able to judge Chaplin without clouding the judgement based on contributions from 18 months ago, I think it is clear that moving on was probably best for both parties.

It also means that the likes of Szmodics, Philogene and Clarke (plus other new arrivals) now have to be used in the best way by McKenna, and deliver what is needed.