Had massive potential, and his early performances for the first team showed incredible promise. Eye for a pass, decent link up... like a young Rooney without the pace or dynamism... I was desperate for him to be good, but I watched Bolton last year and, when he did get a game, he offered next to nothing. Really disappointed, I thought he would have made a decent number 10.
Great decision. Also banging Longstaff out on loan. Another great decision. I’m sure he will come back to haunt us. Never given a chance. Typical Newcastle.
Don’t see the point of having academies and youth teams if you are not going too give them a chance. However I amsurethishascome about because of our “sell first before you can buy” requirement. As he is not quite ready for regular first team football but is potentially worth something he is being sacrificed at the short term cheapskate alter.
It’s a bit worrying that no players seem to have come out of the academy over the last couple of years and kicked a ball in the first team. It’s a huge issue but another indication that we are not investing money where it could be.
You never know what's around the corner. Remember this spooky ****er in 2003... please log in to view this image
Meh, wasn't going to get into the first team, better off that he can find his level somewhere else and play regularly. May turn out to be a decent championship player, but isn't Prem standard....however that's still far more than most of our useless academy graduates achieve, so.good luck to him.
Disappointing for me. I suspect we'll see him back in the PL at some stage. I hope we had the sense to insert a sell on clause.
I suspect we won't. A good season in league one, then 2 seasons in the championship before dropping back into league one. Now with a team likely to struggle in the championship. If we'd rather play Joselu up front, you know Armstrong really ain't all that.
Not sure he'd ever cement himself into a premiership squad but I'm quite surprised with the price (unless he doesn't have long left on his contract?). A lower-mid table championship striker would typically go for a bit more than that?
Not really as that is only Rafa's opinion though. As we've seen with Mitrovic and Mbemba, others see it differently. Wherever the lad has gone he has done well. Even when moved out to the wing at Barnsley and Bolton he did a good job for them. In his natural position at Blackburn and Coventry, he has done everything that can be asked of a young player. For whatever reason Rafa doesn't fancy him. Each to their own. It suits Armstrong too as he will be wanting to kick start his career. He has done the loans, been successful with them, and yet sees no way to the first team squad. Little point hanging around when he can go make it happen somewhere else and secure a decent move for himself. Be interesting to see how he goes because he has terrific pedigree. Played at all levels for England and been successful doing so winning the Euros with the 17's and the World with the 20's. One I think we will regret in time personally.
We just don't have the luxury of being able to play him as it is just to much of a risk! Good luck to him. I think he will be a mid table championship player for years to come! On a side note, Joselu was a potential star at no other than Real Madrid when he was younger and look at the state of him!