Cyle Larin

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

On 10/02/2026 at 13:30, Badger said:

The one description I’d disagree with is to say he looked ‘mobile’. The main concern for me was that he looked a bit heavy footed and pretty immobile if anything . Hopefully that’s just being rusty and he’ll get up to speed

Totally agree. Pleased enough with his performance yesterday.  He doesn't get shoved off the ball and seems to read the game well and get in positions to receive a pass or pick up a loose ball but he needs to work on his fitness.

[Harry_SFC]

4 minutes ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Totally agree. Pleased enough with his performance yesterday.  He doesn't get shoved off the ball and seems to read the game well and get in positions to receive a pass or pick up a loose ball but he needs to work on his fitness.

He needs work on his fitness but I'm not sure that will improve his mobility. I don't think he's that quick but you get what it says on the tin.

He's a big guy that can hold it up and bring others into play, whilst being a threat in the box. 

[Turkish]

10 hours ago, SWLondon Saint said:

I don't think the 'big guy up top' idea has ever really gone away, has it? Ibrahimovic, Lukaku, Lewandowski, Kane, Haaland just a few examples, all very different of course but also very much par for the course that they're big, strong and hold the ball up as well as often being excellent in the air and able to link play. Players like Messi are the exception that proves the rule.

Forgot to add that Larin is clearly a solid pro who can do that job, which immediately elevates him above the 3/4 tiny amigos we have / had + Downs...

The ones you mention are world class strikers in the case of Halland, Drogba and Lukaku they’ve got everything any team will find room for them, same with the others. I’m talking about a Chris Wood, big guy to hold it up type striker.  Definitely back in fashion after period of not neing the hipster choice. 

[goodymatt]

I feel like his song needs to refer to him loving a shawarma and replacing Arma. Fits too nicely to ignore.

[Osvaldorama]

Bloody great again tonight. 
 

Deserved a goal. Gives our tricky wingers so much time and space, holds the ball up well.
 

Basically just a competent striker that we’ve been crying out for. 

[LGTL]

Great at this level and exactly what we’ve been crying out for. Was excellent tonight and deserved a goal. 

[Harry_SFC]

41 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Bloody great again tonight. 
 

Deserved a goal. Gives our tricky wingers so much time and space, holds the ball up well.
 

Basically just a competent striker that we’ve been crying out for. 

Yep, he isn't anything special but he's a focal point. Someone you can go long to when you're under the cosh or someone who can link play on the counter attack. And he's a threat from set pieces. 

I said at the time the club did well to move Armstrong on for a decent enough fee and get this guy in on loan.

[SuperSAINT]

Decent pace to keep up with Leo for his goal.

[Patrick Bateman]

56 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Bloody great again tonight. 
 

Deserved a goal. Gives our tricky wingers so much time and space, holds the ball up well.
 

Basically just a competent striker that we’ve been crying out for. 

Agreed - put in a real shift, held the ball up, stood up, made space, brought others into play - definitely deserved a goal

[Saint86]

Just now, Patrick Bateman said:

Agreed - put in a real shift, held the ball up, stood up, made space, brought others into play - definitely deserved a goal

He was very good this evening, absolutely deserved his goal, did loads of work which pinned the defenders and created space for azaz and sceinza behind, and was ready for square pass tap ins on at least 2 occasions.

[hypochondriac]

Edit wrong thread! Larin was great though today. Really proving initial impressions before he signed wrong. Something I love to see.

Edited February 24 by hypochondriac

[davefizzy14]

Cyle was class tonight 😊

[saintstowin]

I thought he was good and I wanted him to have the whole of the game to build up fitness, find a goal his performance deserved, and not risk Stewart.

[Toadhall Saint]

Have been pleasantly surprised! When news came through of his signing I wasn’t overly impressed but hey looks like I was wrong and those that know about these things were right. He could have had 2 last night if the ball had been played to him.

[OttawaSaint]

Promise David sustained a bad injury and is now a huge doubt for Canada's World Cup squad.

All the more incentive for Cyle to keep up the impressive form to cement a place in the squad.

[benjii]

1 hour ago, OttawaSaint said:

Promise David sustained a bad injury and is now a huge doubt for Canada's World Cup squad.

All the more incentive for Cyle to keep up the impressive form to cement a place in the squad.

We believe you, don't worry!

[Toadhall Saint]

10 hours ago, OttawaSaint said:

Promise David sustained a bad injury and is now a huge doubt for Canada's World Cup squad.

All the more incentive for Cyle to keep up the impressive form to cement a place in the squad.

I like his commitment - he plays like he wants to make a difference.

[Farmer Saint]

On 02/02/2026 at 18:56, Appy said:

Would be nice if a striker signing turns out to be a nice surprise for once, rather than be absolutely terrible as feared. 
 

Good luck to him. 

I think this one has turned out alright. 

He is really quite good at holding the ball up and linking play.

[Toadhall Saint]

Think it’s nice to have a striker that attacks the near post.

[Dark Munster]

I wasn’t alone in thinking that when he signed it was the right position that we desperately needed (big CF) but the wrong player (crap from fans of his previous club). Delighted he’s proved most of us wrong and exceeded all expectations. Keep it up Cyle!

[Hoggins]

He’s hit the ground running from minute 1

His touch isn’t always there but really puts himself about and is v quick for a big man

[Kenilworthy1959]

I was a bit annoyed yesterday when not long after scoring he was standing around when Oxford were taking a free kick and then appeared to feel a touch on the back of his ankle and threw himself down. That sort of behaviour doesn't help to get refs on your side. Apart from that side of his game I'm delighted with him

[Osvaldorama]

As above… He’s a good championship striker.

 

Works hard, does the basics, creates space for his team mates. Holds it up well and constantly creates a nuisance. I really like him for this level. I think his touch isn’t quite PL standard, so I’m not sure he’d make the step up if we were to miraculously be promoted. 
 

But considering where we were with our options, and where we are now, he’s a really good signing in my eyes. 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

5 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

As above… He’s a good championship striker.

 

Works hard, does the basics, creates space for his team mates. Holds it up well and constantly creates a nuisance. I really like him for this level. I think his touch isn’t quite PL standard, so I’m not sure he’d make the step up if we were to miraculously be promoted. 
 

But considering where we were with our options, and where we are now, he’s a really good signing in my eyes. 

Yep agree.

I had my doubts but he's doing a decent job since being here. Just shows that Saints haven't had a decent big man striker for awhile (Stewart aside and being injured) since Adams who can hold up play etc.

[Badger]

3 hours ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Yep agree.

I had my doubts but he's doing a decent job since being here. Just shows that Saints haven't had a decent big man striker for awhile (Stewart aside and being injured) since Adams who can hold up play etc.

Agree with this, has certainly surpassed expectations ( although he did that by scoring a single goal in his first appearance). 
 

Seems a bit cumbersome at times  but holds it up well, and is a handful for some defenders. 

[SaintBobby]

I think he only had 9 touches in the Oxford match (source: The Saints Podcast), but still seems to help our overall game even then.

[Patrick Bateman]

I love this guy already. Maybe this should be on the unpopular opinion thread, but I actually think he might do alright in the Premier League. I mean not every "number 9" can be like Haaland or similar and have strength AND speed AND technique - these are just weirdos who cost the earth. But to have the strength and experience in that role, he'd rattle a few defenders and bring others into play by holding the ball up.  

Might be wrong, but hope we can find out. 

[pimpin4rizeal]

Think he’s a bit donkey like at times but he puts a shift in and and is a physical presence . Reminds me a little of che Adams tbh. I think we probably need 2-3 new strikers if we get promoted wouldn’t count on any of our current three 

[swedish dave]

a lot will depend on which league we will be playing in next season. 

There's no problem in having him as a striker - if we remain in this league, but despite having had

a few difficult years in European football , there are signs that there is a good player in there somewhere.

Tactically, he is a real asset, his off the ball movement pulls defenders all over the place, and he's not easily

pushed around in the area.  He's no Harry Kane , but 3 of his 4 goals have helped us become matchwinners.

 

Will be interesting to see how he performs for The Canadian side in the World Cup, he seems to have

improved as time goes by, and I don't see any problems when it comes to the " age question"

as long as he continues scoring.  Together with a fit Ross Stewart, they make a good duo up front.

Without both of them , it's back to the drawing board and a lot of investment, (as we'd need more big

money buys in other areas of the field, too). 

 

The question of having good strikers in a Premiership club is proving a big problem even for some

established sides in the top tier, and when spending  50-60 million it's no guarantee of quality or goals,

and just " one of that type"  isn't enough with a view to injuries and potential loss of form. 

I think buying him (promotion or not ) is a no-brainer, and he wouldn't get a 3-4 year contract either.

[swedish dave]

10 hours ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Think he’s a bit donkey like at times but he puts a shift in and and is a physical presence . Reminds me a little of che Adams tbh. I think we probably need 2-3 new strikers if we get promoted wouldn’t count on any of our current three 

Shame to say it , it's only two as (sadly) Archer's contribution is almost zero and we have midfielders who have scored more than he.  After all the plaudits made regarding  Adam Armstrong's goal contributions, his goals were invaluable - when they came, but his " dry spells ", were both long and embarrassing and to be fair,  we have looked to be  a much better attacking side since he left.  

Unless we see a remarkable upturn in Archer's form.. we may be looking for a whole new strike force next season.