Adam Armstrong - Official: Signs for Wolves

[east-stand-nic]

19 hours ago, St Louis said:

He's basically the top scorer in the league, and is playing really well in his current role. His workrate, pace and finishing have been superb and scare the sh*t out of opposition defenders.  Why would we move him back into midfield? And back onto the bench?? Why are we always so critical of our own players (I'm not saying you are being here @east-stand-nic) but if he was scoring these goals for someone else, we would be crying out for us to sign him in Jan!
AA can (and does) play wide of a Front 3 anyway, so I think he could fit really nicely alongside Stewart. And I have a feeling we wont see much of RS for a while yet anyway, he's missed a lot of football and has one of those injuries that can recur if not looked after. I think its exciting to have options and a player in AA who is looking confident, lets not dent it again.

I totally agree but i figure RS was not bought to sit on the bench and cannot see who else might get dropped instead. I just have a feeling due to RM styles of play he will drop AA for RS.

[hypochondriac]

1 hour ago, Hatch said:

I know I am in the minority now, as he has a few goals,  but he still wouldn't be in my starting 11. 

He breaks up more of our attacks than any of the other teams defenders do.

I don't think he's that good but I'd still have him in my team. Not sure when Ross Stewart is fit though. He's clearly someone who can score some goals in this league, but he's not good enough for the prem. 

[saintant]

Maybe Ross and AA would make a decent strike pair in the big guy/little guy mode. With his pace can see AA latching on to balls headed on by RS. Might not fit into RM's style of play though.

[Saint Garrett]

Once RS is fit, and I’m sure that will take quite a while, it’ll be 6 of Downes, Charles, Smallbone, Stu, Alcaraz, Arma Sulemana Stewart Adams Fraser Edozie. 

Id guess the strongest on paper would probably be Downes, Smallbone, Stu, Arma, Sulemana, Stewart. 

with the others subbing in. I did wonder at the weekend whether Charly playing RW was a trial in prep for Stewart being fit, 

Good problems to have though in this league….

[Ex Lion Tamer]

11 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

Once RS is fit, and I’m sure that will take quite a while, it’ll be 6 of Downes, Charles, Smallbone, Stu, Alcaraz, Arma Sulemana Stewart Adams Fraser Edozie. 

Id guess the strongest on paper would probably be Downes, Smallbone, Stu, Arma, Sulemana, Stewart. 

with the others subbing in. I did wonder at the weekend whether Charly playing RW was a trial in prep for Stewart being fit, 

Good problems to have though in this league….

I'm hoping our squad depth will really give us an advantage as the season progresses

[Bad Wolf]

On 30/10/2023 at 13:12, Lord Duckhunter said:

When I look at the number of goals he’s got this season my immediate thought is, fuck me, how many would a decent striker have. Let’s face it, he’s pretty fucking average. 

Average but the league's top scorer? Kay...

[Harry_SFC]

2 hours ago, Bad Wolf said:

Average but the league's top scorer? Kay...

In MLG mode but Jack Clarke is top scorer! 

[AlexLaw76]

3 hours ago, Bad Wolf said:

Average but the league's top scorer? Kay...

that is not true, Kay

Edited 2 November, 2023 by AlexLaw76

[Bad Wolf]

Oh he's second now. But still not average is it?

[ScandiSaint]

Just wanted to bump this thread.

I only goto one or two games a season due to being abroad. Last game I went at home in PL, AA was getting so much stick. 

Although he was below par in the PL he has always worked his socks off. Seeing him get a standing ovation today after getting the winner and playing well just goes to show how things can turn around if you stick at something and work hard. Great attitude.

Martin should also receive some credit for his revival. 

Could almost say the same about Bazunu. Sometimes it's worth sticking with players even in the tough moments. 

[ally_uk]

Fair play to the lad!

We should get rid of Adams and get someone else in. 

Ings? Haha 😄 

[Wsaint]

How many goals does arma have to score before we can break out the old Rickie Lambert, Southampton's goal machine? 

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

Just now, Wsaint said:

How many goals does arma have to score before we can break out the old Rickie Lambert, Southampton's goal machine? 

How would he know it's about him if it has Rickie's name in it though?

[Wsaint]

Just now, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

How would he know it's about him if it has Rickie's name in it though?

Well obviously you would replace Rickie Lambert with Adam Armstrong, I thought that was a given 😂

[Wsaint]

4 minutes ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

How would he know it's about him if it has Rickie's name in it though?

 

2 minutes ago, Wsaint said:

Well obviously you would replace Rickie Lambert with Adam Armstrong, I thought that was a given 😂

Or if you want just sing Rickie Lambert and then point vigorously at arma until he gets it, I dunno you do you stripey

[The Cat]

There was a song to that tune today but I couldn't make out the words

[Wsaint]

11 minutes ago, The Cat said:

There was a song to that tune today but I couldn't make out the words

Ah fair play I didn't hear that.

[ErwinK1961]

I think he’d realise it wasn’t about him at the “he stands just over 6ft 3” line.

[Hatch]

39 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said:

I think he’d realise it wasn’t about him at the “he stands just over 6ft 3” line.

Just switch the 6 and 3 around 

[Chewy]

Been critical of him since he joined - never about work-rate, just didn’t look premier league quality.

But this season … second top scorer. Ahead of Vardy; ahead of people we should have signed (😉) like Delap and Piroe.

Only Blackburn’s Szmodics (me neither) has more. Add in assists and they’re joint top in the league. 
His work-rate and tracking back have been exceptional; really pleased for him, seems a really good guy and professional. Hope he gets a second crack with us in the premier league and can take this form and confidence with him and have more of an impact.

Always happy to be proved wrong by players, especially when they clearly are working so hard for it (Mara take note!).

Well done Adam, please keep it going 

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, Chewy said:

Been critical of him since he joined - never about work-rate, just didn’t look premier league quality.

But this season … second top scorer. Ahead of Vardy; ahead of people we should have signed (😉) like Delap and Piroe.

Only Blackburn’s Szmodics (me neither) has more. Add in assists and they’re joint top in the league. 
His work-rate and tracking back have been exceptional; really pleased for him, seems a really good guy and professional. Hope he gets a second crack with us in the premier league and can take this form and confidence with him and have more of an impact.

Always happy to be proved wrong by players, especially when they clearly are working so hard for it (Mara take note!).

Well done Adam, please keep it going 

He is a really good player. 

[Ex Lion Tamer]

Glad we didn't terminate his contract

[pimpin4rizeal]

He’s really found his mojo again    It’s great to see not only is he finishing well his speed of closing down is rapid and causes defenders nightmares .. makes you wonder why he didn’t get more run under Ralph as it’s such a ideal attribute for pressing .

bit of a lesson to those who like to criticise our squad players who haven’t had huge runs in the team .. arribo also looked terrific yesterday 

[stknowle]

Found his feet back in the champ. Also full marks for resolutely maintaining the same ultra-sensible haircut throughout his time with us.

[pimpin4rizeal]

5 hours ago, stknowle said:

Found his feet back in the champ. Also full marks for resolutely maintaining the same ultra-sensible haircut throughout his time with us.

I still think there’s a good chance he could cut it a prem level. As I said a while ago he never really got  a decent run in the prem . In and out of the side .. lost out to broja early on and the manager always preferred che ..

makas a ton of difference if the manager fully believes in you, he’s not perfect but he’s rapid enough ,closes down like a train and is a decent finisher 

Edited 4 December, 2023 by pimpin4rizeal

[Hodgey]

He can’t play the lone striker role - that has been one of the major issues. RM has created a role for him that plays to his strengths but really pleased for him as attitude and effort were never the issue. 

[waylander]

Now he has a manager who knows how to get the best out of him, I think there is every chance he would cut it in the PL

[Saint Keef]

Even when things weren't going well for him, it always looked like he was trying, and putting the effort in, when many would have just thrown in the towel. I'm pleased for the the lad that it's coming good for him and long may it last. If he carries on like this, the next problem will be trying to keep hold of him! You just can't win can you!

[pimpin4rizeal]

On 11/11/2023 at 19:31, ScandiSaint said:

Just wanted to bump this thread.

I only goto one or two games a season due to being abroad. Last game I went at home in PL, AA was getting so much stick. 

Although he was below par in the PL he has always worked his socks off. Seeing him get a standing ovation today after getting the winner and playing well just goes to show how things can turn around if you stick at something and work hard. Great attitude.

Martin should also receive some credit for his revival. 

Could almost say the same about Bazunu. Sometimes it's worth sticking with players even in the tough moments. 

Yeah agree Martin should take some credit, he’s been the only one to really put full trust in Arma and had the balls to change the pecking order and drop che .. it’s good vision by Martin to see things the previous managers didn’t 

[Dark Munster]

1 hour ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Yeah agree Martin should take some credit, he’s been the only one to really put full trust in Arma and had the balls to change the pecking order and drop che .. it’s good vision by Martin to see things the previous managers didn’t 

I'm not saying RM shouldn't get some credit, but there's a big difference playing against Championship defenses vs. PL ones.

[Dellyears]

8 hours ago, waylander said:

Now he has a manager who knows how to get the best out of him, I think there is every chance he would cut it in the PL

The PL is a long way off, it may take years AA may be retired. One step at a time please!

[Toussaint]

20 hours ago, waylander said:

Now he has a manager who knows how to get the best out of him, I think there is every chance he would cut it in the PL

I think he would be exactly the same in the prem as he was last time in the prem. He just won't get the, space, time or chances he's getting now. 

[Lord Duckhunter]

15 hours ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

 it’s good vision by Martin to see things the previous managers didn’t 

Correct, he can see Championship defenders playing against him.

The others couldn’t see this, they had to watch him playing against Premier league players. 

[LuckyNumber7]

Get voting Saintsweb!

https://www.thepfa.com/fpotm/championship

[davefizzy14]

1 hour ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

Get voting Saintsweb!

https://www.thepfa.com/fpotm/championship

Done. Hope Arma wins it, he deserves to

[pimpin4rizeal]

5 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Correct, he can see Championship defenders playing against him.

The others couldn’t see this, they had to watch him playing against Premier league players. 

Ah right. So do you think che adams is a better premiership striker whilst arma can only do well in the championship then ?

im not sure I buy this actually 

just cos idiots like Ralph and selles thought so doesn’t make it true.. 

we saw week in week out what che was.a shitty finisher with some decent ish hold up play.but we never really got to see a Adam Armstrong that got a good run in the team and got his confidence up .. just his pressing,pace,and finishing should see some goal threat imo 

Edited 5 December, 2023 by pimpin4rizeal

[CB Fry]

12 minutes ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Ah right. So do you think che adams is a better premiership striker whilst arma can only do well in the championship then ?

im not sure I buy this actually 

just cos idiots like Ralph and selles thought so doesn’t make it true.. 

we saw week in week out what che was.a shitty finisher with some decent ish hold up play.but we never really got to see a Adam Armstrong that got a good run in the team and got his confidence up .. just his pressing,pace,and finishing should see some goal threat imo 

You can repeat it over and over and over but you will never make it true.

You're trying to make out that Adam Armstrong was some unused gem who never got a chance, spent two years kicking his heels.

When in fact he played game after game, match after match and basically never fucking scored in Premier League.

He had opportunities in the top flight that a thousand other strikers would kill for.

[pimpin4rizeal]

6 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

You can repeat it over and over and over but you will never make it true.

You're trying to make out that Adam Armstrong was some unused gem who never got a chance, spent two years kicking his heels.

When in fact he played game after game, match after match and basically never fucking scored in Premier League.

He had opportunities in the top flight that a thousand other strikers would kill for.

I quote David in Sweden’s post above which explains it well “ 

Think you may be a trifle hard on AA ...(CB Fry)

there is a lot of difference  between playing for 80-90 minutes and wasting chances that come, and the opportunity to even having a chance to score.

As an example last season.   Adam Armstrong was automatic starter during Ralph's shorter term as a manager and started 11 times in the first 15 games

albeit on left wing, (but did score the winning goal v. Chelsea), whereas Che Adams was always the main striker but seldom scored so often.

The two subsequent managers disregarded Armstrong as a starting option and he was used as sub. on just 15 games  during those remaining games.

 

Closer study showed that around half of those were in the closing 10 minutes and several even in "added time" - not many chances there , and occasionally

he had no goal chances at all.  There has been an internal debate on here about the effectiveness of  Che Adams as a lone striker and even when they both

played in the same start side, as it was Che who had (and frequently missed) the most chances, and this was no favour to Armstrong who got less opportunities.”

 

[notnowcato]

29 minutes ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

I quote David in Sweden’s post above which explains it well “ 

Think you may be a trifle hard on AA ...(CB Fry)

there is a lot of difference  between playing for 80-90 minutes and wasting chances that come, and the opportunity to even having a chance to score.

As an example last season.   Adam Armstrong was automatic starter during Ralph's shorter term as a manager and started 11 times in the first 15 games

albeit on left wing, (but did score the winning goal v. Chelsea), whereas Che Adams was always the main striker but seldom scored so often.

The two subsequent managers disregarded Armstrong as a starting option and he was used as sub. on just 15 games  during those remaining games.

 

Closer study showed that around half of those were in the closing 10 minutes and several even in "added time" - not many chances there , and occasionally

he had no goal chances at all.  There has been an internal debate on here about the effectiveness of  Che Adams as a lone striker and even when they both

played in the same start side, as it was Che who had (and frequently missed) the most chances, and this was no favour to Armstrong who got less opportunities.”

 

Pffft you and your facts. 
 

I’m happy for AA, as I would have been for Che if he was banging them in for us. 

[CB Fry]

55 minutes ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

I quote David in Sweden’s post above which explains it well “ 

Think you may be a trifle hard on AA ...(CB Fry)

there is a lot of difference  between playing for 80-90 minutes and wasting chances that come, and the opportunity to even having a chance to score.

As an example last season.   Adam Armstrong was automatic starter during Ralph's shorter term as a manager and started 11 times in the first 15 games

albeit on left wing, (but did score the winning goal v. Chelsea), whereas Che Adams was always the main striker but seldom scored so often.

The two subsequent managers disregarded Armstrong as a starting option and he was used as sub. on just 15 games  during those remaining games.

 

Closer study showed that around half of those were in the closing 10 minutes and several even in "added time" - not many chances there , and occasionally

he had no goal chances at all.  There has been an internal debate on here about the effectiveness of  Che Adams as a lone striker and even when they both

played in the same start side, as it was Che who had (and frequently missed) the most chances, and this was no favour to Armstrong who got less opportunities.”

 

This is a thread about Adam Armstrong but it seems to me the vast majority of your argument is that Che Adams is rubbish so that makes Adam Armstrong a Premier League striker by default.

Adam Armstrong had plenty of starts and minutes to score goals in the Premier League. He didn't.

 

[CB Fry]

31 starts in the Premier League is not "he was never given a chance". That is plenty.

That an opportunity at top flight level That most strikers around the world would kill for. 

Absolutely insane this forum that people think that isn't a reasonable opportunity to make a mark, or, you know, score more than two goals a season.

Edited 5 December, 2023 by CB Fry

[Lighthouse]

As well as AA is doing this season, he was crap for two years in the PL and if anything he is a metaphor for the huge job we would face just surviving, if we were to make it back into the top league. It’s not like he was keeping the bench warm for Pelle and Lambert either, if you can’t force your way into a team which can’t score for love nor money, that’s a pretty poor reflection of your own abilities, not the managers selection policy.

Put simply, he’s the Geordie Vydra.

[Saint Garrett]

He wasn't as effective as a 35 year old Shane Long in the premier league which says a lot.  

Clearly he can do it at this level. If and when we go up, he might be a squad option and he will benefit from a year at Southampton in the championship. He came into a turbulent club, but he was given a decent chance. He's got his confidence back which is clearly massive for him.

We've got to get promoted first though!

[Lord Duckhunter]

17 hours ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Ah right. So do you think che adams is a better premiership striker whilst arma can only do well in the championship then ?

im not sure I buy this actually 

just cos idiots like Ralph and selles thought so doesn’t make it true.. 

we saw week in week out what che was.a shitty finisher with some decent ish hold up play.but we never really got to see a Adam Armstrong that got a good run in the team and got his confidence up .. just his pressing,pace,and finishing should see some goal threat imo 

😂 I don’t know about AA winning “Player of the Month”, but you’ve got my vote for”pony of the month.”. 
 

AA was absolutely atrocious at Premier League level. 

[gio1saints]

AA in his current form is possibly the most tenacious small stature saints forward we've had since the days of Steve Moran and Kevin Keegan. 
 

I’ve read the entire thread and it’s clear there’s a view that because he was mostly anonymous for his time in the EPL that he has that hanging over him until and unless he does actually replicate this kind of current form versus the big boys. 
 

His form does behove very well however  and if the league 2nd highest goalscorer is not good enough for the EPL then by that yardstick none of the others behind him are.

I personally think he is absolutely making the most of his capabilities - we have other players with more promise more potential, perhaps, but they do not follow through with goals and consistent performances. AA, no disrespect to him, may have more limited technical and physical skills but he maxes them out every single week for saints currently.
 

 I’d add that the responsibility of being Captain has added vim into his legs and as far as “ heart” is concerned he’s got it in abundance. He is prepared to sacrifice himself all night long for the team Great guy to have as our leader. And fair play to RM too for seeing that quality in him as I for sure did not think that this Adam Armstrong existed at start of season. Top man. 

[verlaine1979]

22 hours ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Ah right. So do you think che adams is a better premiership striker whilst arma can only do well in the championship then ?

im not sure I buy this actually 

just cos idiots like Ralph and selles thought so doesn’t make it true.. 

we saw week in week out what che was.a shitty finisher with some decent ish hold up play.but we never really got to see a Adam Armstrong that got a good run in the team and got his confidence up .. just his pressing,pace,and finishing should see some goal threat imo 

Che Adams is an utterly shit premier league striker. So is Adam Armstrong. Hence, we were relegated from the premier league. Now, by virtue of tenacity and a wider variety of finishing, it appears that AA is a more reliable championship striker. There's no mystery here.

[It's There]

What has struck me is that, I think, many said he scuffed goals in the championship pre joining Saints. Now he largely scores clean goals. I think he’s improving 

[Mallagroth]

Could be an argument that our style of play in the prem just wasn’t right for Adam Armstrong and this kind of football plays more to his strengths. I’d like to hope so anyway.

[Verbal]

6 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

😂 I don’t know about AA winning “Player of the Month”, but you’ve got my vote for”pony of the month.”. 
 

AA was absolutely atrocious at Premier League level. 

I wish you'd give up your obsession with ponies. It just makes the lot down the road think they're on to something.

[SNSUN]

1 hour ago, It's There said:

What has struck me is that, I think, many said he scuffed goals in the championship pre joining Saints. Now he largely scores clean goals. I think he’s improving 

If I remember correctly I think it was Che who was the goal scuffer. 

Fair play to AA for stepping up this year. Confidence does wonders to a player and i love his work rate and attitude. Leading by example.