Adam Armstrong - Official: Signs for Wolves

[Chez]

I don't understand how a guy that scored 29 goals in 43 games before he came us can look to be so incapable of scoring goals for so long. Lots of strikers have a drop in form and confidence, but its pushing on two seasons now.

I guess he hasn't played every game over that period, but he's had plenty of games and quite a few opportunities to make things happen or take a scoring chance that comes his way. He looks total devoid of confidence and is pretty much a waste of a shirt. It's such a disappointment. He was brought in as an Ings mark II, but the only similarity is his lack of height.

[ally_uk]

I was optimistic when we signed him after all had a good record at Blackburn.

Is this guy a striker or Winger ? Because he is abysmal at both...... 

Cant shoot, can't dribble 

What's the point of him being in the team.... 

[Hatch]

Came on in 63rd minute yesterday.  Should have come off in the 73rd.  

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

I got the impression after Grimsby, RS said there would be players not wearing a Saints shirt again. Well, what was this clown doing wearing one yesterday? Really does add nothing, and even when going wide, he craps himself when someone comes within two yards of him. Total waste of a player and even more irritating is his strolling around doing half hearted presses. 

[sisi1992]

He is shockingly bad. What’s more worrying is how he keeps getting game time every week 😐

[Saintscummer]

I was at Everton for his debut and thought he looked really sharp. Scored a great goal too. Since then his ability and confidence has completely gone. Just think he is out of his depth. I won’t call him personal names or call him out. He is just playing a standard too high 

[Lord Duckhunter]

2 hours ago, Hatch said:

Came on in 63rd minute yesterday.  Should have come off in the 73rd.  

You’re more tolerant than me. 

[Dman]

Has come out and said the speculation of him leaving is not true and that he wants to stay next season... So do you see a way back for him?

Personally, I think given he has proven his ability to score goals at this level, we'd be mad to shift him on without taking a look at the very least. Clearly, he's void of confidence and imo 'found his level' in the championship. But could he be our Billy Sharpe / Teemu Puki? 

Martin seems to like his strikers to play between the CB's, run in behind and stretch the play. He started last season with Obafemi as his number 9 (well up until January), who has a similar profile to AA - all be it maybe a little less physically imposing. Perhaps AA will suit this new style more so than the shite we're dishing up at the minute - which I think 90% of strikers in the world would struggle with. 

Given we need such reform across the whole of the pitch, is this possibly an area where we can save some £..?

[bangkoksaint]

On 20/05/2022 at 06:02, Convict Colony said:

think he needs our team to be able to create chances before we can judge

A year on and still creating little 🤦‍♀️

[bangkoksaint]

Personally I think he’s been poor but that doesn’t necessarily all come down to him. I’d like him to stay not least because he wants to as well - how many rats will be jumping this sinking ship just because they can?

[CSA96]

3 minutes ago, Dman said:

Has come out and said the speculation of him leaving is not true and that he wants to stay next season... So do you see a way back for him?

Personally, I think given he has proven his ability to score goals at this level, we'd be mad to shift him on without taking a look at the very least. Clearly, he's void of confidence and imo 'found his level' in the championship. But could he be our Billy Sharpe / Teemu Puki? 

Martin seems to like his strikers to play between the CB's, run in behind and stretch the play. He started last season with Obafemi as his number 9 (well up until January), who has a similar profile to AA - all be it maybe a little less physically imposing. Perhaps AA will suit this new style more so than the shite we're dishing up at the minute - which I think 90% of strikers in the world would struggle with. 

Given we need such reform across the whole of the pitch, is this possibly an area where we can save some £..?

With the drop in quality of opponents and Martin's preference to dominate and have his strikers making runs for, God forbid, progressive passes - he could play a role. The question at this point is really whether he is the same player and whether he and the club both want to work at it over the summer.

He wouldn't be one of the names I am pushing out the door immediately and I suspect he'll be around for pre-season at least.

[Smirking_Saint]

If I had to choose him or Adams to play through the middle I’d pick Adams because even if neither are prolific Adams ability in other aspects of his game would/could be very useful to Martins set up

I don’t personally see much of a way back for AA, he hasn’t shown me any indication of ability from what Ive seen, he’s lightweight, isn’t an intelligent runner, is not progressive on the ball… he is effectively a poacher and he’s failed at that.. and I appreciate Im being pretty scathing of him but I’d suggest if we are hanging our hat on him coming good we’re in trouble

This is his underlying stats by the way… he’s just an awful footballer

 

Edited 22 May, 2023 by Smirking_Saint

[redandwhitey]

Perhaps he can play a part next year. Strikers play well when confident and not when in and out of a team in various wrong positions. I would rather give him a chance than spend budget on another unknown 

[Supersubpuckett]

he had a better than 1 in 3 scoring rate at Blackburn and is therefore proven and effective at championship level. if you base any players ability on our last couple of seasons then barely anyone would make the cut. i think he will be a real asset next season.

[Saint Garrett]

He's been an awful signing for us from the start. Utter waste of money. Thought he's looked ok when we were playing a front 3 with him on the left, but he has zero goal threat.  He'll only be an asset next season if we play 2 up front IMO, but I'd be looking to offload him.  His missus was definitely looking for houses in Ipswich area, but whether that was becuase of general interest, or whether something is more concrete we shall see.

[Dman]

12 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

If I had to choose him or Adams to play through the middle I’d pick Adams because even if neither are prolific Adams ability in other aspects of his game would/could be very useful to Martins set up

I don’t personally see much of a way back for AA, he hasn’t shown me any indication of ability from what Ive seen, he’s lightweight, isn’t an intelligent runner, is not progressive on the ball… he is effectively a poacher and he’s failed at that.. and I appreciate Im being pretty scathing of him but I’d suggest if we are hanging our hat on him coming good we’re in trouble

This is his underlying stats by the way… he’s just an awful footballer

 

Is this his 'stats' from the Championship or PL though? I think all would agree that at PL level he's not and will never be good enough. 

Also, pretty harsh judging a poachers ability on stats from a team who create the square root of fuck all. 

FWIW - I think if we can keep him and Adams with a bit of creativity behind them, we'd be more than fine next season. 

[Smirking_Saint]

4 minutes ago, Dman said:

Is this his 'stats' from the Championship or PL though? I think all would agree that at PL level he's not and will never be good enough. 

Also, pretty harsh judging a poachers ability on stats from a team who create the square root of fuck all. 

FWIW - I think if we can keep him and Adams with a bit of creativity behind them, we'd be more than fine next season. 

Admittedly its from the prem, but Ive still not really seen a lot that fills me with confidence

He’s been out of the Championship for 2 years ? And for 2 years its just not worked, I find it unlikely tbh that he’ll rekindle his form here now… generally when players are out of form for a long period of time they tend to need to find themselves a new club

[Chewy]

I think there’s a player in there somewhere at that level. Unfortunately his confidence is shot and I think as well as dropping a level he also needs a complete change of scenery.

I think our coaching/playing style is pretty culpable in his regression and loss of form/confidence. I think that applies to quite a few of our squad unfortunately.

I think it’s too far gone for Adam here for it to be worthwhile persevering but obviously that’s just my opinion 

Edited 22 May, 2023 by Chewy
Typi

[SambaMaverick]

It's easy to say he will score at Champ level because he's done it before, but I'm not sure at all. Even without stats, you can see that he is a truly terrible footballer.

His touch is up there with the worst I've ever seen, he can't bring others into play, he has no physical presence (through no fault of his own) and his finishing is constantly snatched.

I'd be in favour of a clean break.

[ally_uk]

2 seasons has done nothing.......

Next!!! 

[goodymatt]

His form with us has been atrocious. It’s a big gamble to expect he will replicate his Blackburn form and be our main goal source. I wonder what style Blackburn played when he did so well, does anyone know?

The trouble is we are going to lose a lot of players and when rebuilding a team, it might be useful to keep him around for the season given his championship experience. However in an ideal world I think moving on would suit both parties. 

You just know if we sold him to Ipswich he’d score against us!

[Bad Wolf]

17 minutes ago, ally_uk said:

2 seasons has done nothing.......

Next!!! 

We are now at his level

[SotonianWill]

15 minutes ago, Bad Wolf said:

We are now at his level

my god, did we get a double relegation?

[Bad Wolf]

1 hour ago, SotonianWill said:

my god, did we get a double relegation?

We bought him because he scored bag loads in The Championship. He's a very good player at that level and you know it

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Depends if he meets the new manager's tactics. AA is going to need lots of creative support, and therapy to replace shattered confidence.🙂

He's a willing enough runner, but he'd be expected to finish if it's one up front. He'd have to be able to deliver if playing deeper. Finishing and creativity haven't really stood out for him.

He could still have a role, if it's Big Paul who goes as not a fit, or if we get a good offer for Adams. We're going to need some depth.

[Appy]

Having watched him against Cambridge, Lincoln, Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby this season, does anyone really think he’s all of a sudden going to “tear up” the championship? 
 

We should be getting rid. 

[S-Clarke]

I really struggle with the ''He's done it in this league before'' argument, there may have been many reasons as to why - but based on pure technical ability, that wasn't one of the reasons. He is one of the worst footballers I've watched, his touch and ability on the ball is of a much lower level than the top two leagues in England.

2 years we've had him here and in every single game he has looked so far off the level it's been ridiculous, and decent Championship players shouldn't ever look as far off the PL level as he has - so I'm very sceptical if he's even a decent Championship player.

 

Edited 22 May, 2023 by S-Clarke

[Toussaint]

6 minutes ago, Appy said:

Having watched him against Cambridge, Lincoln, Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby this season, does anyone really think he’s all of a sudden going to “tear up” the championship? 
 

We should be getting rid. 

I often think that, but I would be happy give him chance under a manager who actually knows what he is doing. 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

9 minutes ago, Appy said:

Having watched him against Cambridge, Lincoln, Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby this season, does anyone really think he’s all of a sudden going to “tear up” the championship? 
 

We should be getting rid. 

Yes, I was at two of those games and he was still easily the worst player on the pitch.

And what happens if we get promoted? Unlike Rickie L who could compete in the premiership, this guy is a proven liability and no manager will change that. He is taking up someone else's space. 

[SotonianWill]

11 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

I really struggle with the ''He's done it in this league before'' argument, there may have been many reasons as to why - but based on pure technical ability, that wasn't one of the reasons. He is one of the worst footballers I've watched, his touch and ability on the ball is of a much lower level than the top two leagues in England.

2 years we've had him here and in every single game he has looked so far off the level it's been ridiculous, and decent Championship players shouldn't ever look as far off the PL level as he has - so I'm very sceptical if he's even a decent Championship player.

 

Whilst I agree he has no overall ability it’s clear his confidence is shot. In fact It’s been two years and I honestly couldn’t tell you how good his shooting ability is. 

[Chez]

On 23/05/2023 at 07:47, SotonianWill said:

Whilst I agree he has no overall ability it’s clear his confidence is shot. In fact It’s been two years and I honestly couldn’t tell you how good his shooting ability is. 

At Blackburn he was absolutely flying. Confidence was sky high. He shot from anywhere and didn't think twice about hitting things first time. We kind of saw that with his goal at Everton after just joining.

Since then his confidence has eroded and it has never come back.

Without it, he dithers, is reluctant to shoot, doesn't get in positions to score and fails to take responsibility.

There has been one or two very small periods when he has been moved out wide and his pace has made him look useful. He caused Newcastle some problems in the first semi final for example. However, Jones didn't see it and he was dropped. I don't think I have seen him do anything useful as a centre forward. Not for a long long time anyway.

The long and short of it, is that without confidence returning, he will never be useful. You have to wonder if he needs a change of scenery for that to happen.

[Dark Munster]

5 hours ago, Chez said:

The long and short of it, is that without confidence returning, he will never be useful. You have to wonder if he needs a change of scenery for that to happen.

Or a change of manager and playing against Championship defenses.

[Forester]

On 22/05/2023 at 19:56, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Yes, I was at two of those games and he was still easily the worst player on the pitch.

And what happens if we get promoted? Unlike Rickie L who could compete in the premiership, this guy is a proven liability and no manager will change that. He is taking up someone else's space. 

Did you say the same about Sharp, Hammond, Fox, Richardson, Butterfield, Hooveldt, Chaplow?  Or did you cheer them to the rooftops but fully appreciate the Premier League needed new signings?

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

46 minutes ago, Forester said:

Did you say the same about Sharp, Hammond, Fox, Richardson, Butterfield, Hooveldt, Chaplow?  Or did you cheer them to the rooftops but fully appreciate the Premier League needed new signings?

I certainly remember Chaplow, well more his bald head! And Hooiveldt was not a proven failure in the premier league. Yes I'll be going to the usual half a dozen away games next season and in a weird way, already looking forward to it, and of course you support the players on the pitch, but I don't want AA anywhere near the team. He's been given enough chances already.

[kitch]

On 22/05/2023 at 19:45, S-Clarke said:

I really struggle with the ''He's done it in this league before'' argument, there may have been many reasons as to why - but based on pure technical ability, that wasn't one of the reasons. He is one of the worst footballers I've watched, his touch and ability on the ball is of a much lower level than the top two leagues in England.

2 years we've had him here and in every single game he has looked so far off the level it's been ridiculous, and decent Championship players shouldn't ever look as far off the PL level as he has - so I'm very sceptical if he's even a decent Championship player.

 

Same. There are plenty of players who've 'done it' at certain levels, but that doesn't mean they always will. Pretty sure Aribo tore the Championship up for Wigan or something, too? 

The argument that AA did well there so he will again is silly. He was in a totally different team, and it was two years ago. We are starting again; By keeping some of the problems from last season around, we'll just start the season with existing problems. Get him sold - fresh start for him and us.

Edited 25 May, 2023 by kitch
It was Charlton, not Wigan. And it was League One, not the Champ, but who's counting...?!

[pimpin4rizeal]

One thing I’m liking at the moment is Martin seems to really like Adam Armstrong, it’s the first time really any of our managers have really put some faith in him and had him as first choice striker in a long time .

I think Armstrong is very much a confidence player, remember his lovely finish on his debut vs Everton? But after that it all seemed to go downhill and a lot of his appearances came out of position, and he looked a player shot on confidence ..

I just get the feeling RMs faith in him is gonna end up like a totally new signing and we might finally get the player we thought he was gonna be 

[miserableoldgit]

[Pengi]

6 hours ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

One thing I’m liking at the moment is Martin seems to really like Adam Armstrong, it’s the first time really any of our managers have really put some faith in him and had him as first choice striker in a long time .

I think Armstrong is very much a confidence player, remember his lovely finish on his debut vs Everton? But after that it all seemed to go downhill and a lot of his appearances came out of position, and he looked a player shot on confidence ..

I just get the feeling RMs faith in him is gonna end up like a totally new signing and we might finally get the player we thought he was gonna be 

Converting the penalties will help his confidence too.

[Saint_clark]

I'd like to see him where Edozie is with Adams up top. 

[skintsaint]

Bloody unlucky today to not get a couple with their keeper making two great saves. Fortunately one fell to Che to grab the winner!

[sfc4prem]

Played well today. Sure he'll bag a fee this year. Nice free kick too!

[davefizzy14]

Was outstanding today, had a hand in both goals

[saintant]

I'm really pleased for AA. He came here as a prolific goalscorer but we chose to play him in systems that were never designed to get the best out of him nor present him with many goal scoring chances. Not surprisingly he got a lot of stick and his confidence took a knock as it would anyone. He's never given in or hidden away so he deserves this change of fortune and long may it continue. RM believes in him and is being repaid for that so far.

[Block41 Saint]

He looked like a player with confidence today. 

[Dan Johnson]

Man of the match again for me today.

[Dark Munster]

I said at the end of last season, when many were clamoring to get rid of him, that he should be given a chance in the Championship (where he has done well before of course). Yes, he was pants in the PL, but as we all know the level is much lower in the league we are in now. Having goal scorers (in any division) is the main difference between the top teams and the also rans.

[Hodgey]

I’ve been a big critic, not of his effort but his ability. He’s not a prem player, but has enough ability for this division, and his commitment this season has been fantastic - last minute tackles, winning that header, driving at defences, great free kick - was my motm today and hoping this form continues.

[Hatch]

still does my nut that not only is our worst player in the team,  but is actually captain as well!

[S-Clarke]

38 minutes ago, Hatch said:

still does my nut that not only is our worst player in the team,  but is actually captain as well!

It's like working in the public sector, rewarded and promoted for failure. I imagine there is a new contract on the horizon for him as well.

[sydney_saint]

He was absolutely honking for his two seasons in the EPL. Based on that, we have somehow elevated him to Jermaine Wright status of undroppable. We would probably play his at right back before he gets dropped. Why the club does shit like this I will never know. We did the same with Elyounoussi, we are doing the same with Smallbone. Players that become utterly undroppable despite consistently poor performances. In the first 20 minutes, I think 3 attacks broke down as soon as he got on the ball. Awful first touch, no notable pace or strength either. I would argue he was better in the second half cos at least he didn't touch the fucking ball!

I know he scored yesterday, and I know his stats show 5 goals and an assist already this season. But 2 of those were pens, and 1 he had no idea about. He breaks down more attacks then he contributes to

Edited 24 September, 2023 by sydney_saint