Same age as Che and I think we'll see further improvement and more goals from him next season as well. I wouldn't be against another Armstrong for Saints, it's a surname that has served us well over the years and the last time we had two of them in the same squad we finished runners up in the old Div 1 with Ken and "Spike".
Statistically, "Shane Long with Saints, if he took more than twice as many shots per minute played" is also not an invalid comparison.
aren’t we at the point now that when it’s between us and another club it means we aren’t getting them?
Hopefully Ralph still holds some sway and the second half of the season hasn't poisoned that chalice. He's a well regarded coach with good creds so players will want to come and play for him. That's our trump card against clubs on a similar level.
@Schad This is actually a really strong looking reel. Great movement, passing, good on the counter, composed finisher, head and feet, in the box and outside, penalties too. Hmm, not bad at all.
I've never seen a bad reel of a player's goals and assists though, heh. Here's Shane Long doing superstar things: And Armstrong could well succeed. I'll certainly be interested in seeing him with a PL outfit, whether us or someone else. It's just...there literally hasn't ever been a player with a statistical profile similar to his in the Championship, for as long back as individual stats were kept. Might it work in the PL? Sure! Am I dubious? Yup!
I'll be interested to see with Ings whether he goes soon or whether he waits to see if we invest. I can understand not wanting to stay without some new blood coming in and he could have been holding off to see what our intentions are in the market. If we can't promise him a competitive squad around him he would be justified in looking elsewhere.
Kudos. You found the one season that Longy has a highlight reel. with Armstrong I was expecting something a little more.. unorthodox from your statistical description but tbh, looking at the goals and assists in motion there's not a lot to dislike. I distinctly remember looking at Adams' goals the year before we signed him and thinking that it was a bit rough - bobbling finishes, hit into the ground, that sort of thing. Armstrong's finishing and movement looks top rate - for the championship. Reminiscent of Ings I would say. As you say though, can he do it with 1/3 of the shooting opportunities? Who knows. If this interest starts to firm up I might have to dig up some blackburn games to see what his overall play looks like.
Regarding Adam Armstrong - "The Austrian boss has urged to club to keep their eyes open for a forward having struggled for goals during Danny Ings’ repeated injury absences. But a £15m deal is just out of Saints’ reach, Hasenhuttl went on to explain as he warned fans to expect deals worth no more than £10m this summer, a price Blackburn look unlikely to accept for their prize asset. "We are looking for players around £10m, or even lower if possible,” he said. Umm. ...on the upside I'm guessing there won't be much competition for our targeted players this season then.
If £10m is our upper bound, that's going to largely preclude shopping in the Championship. Perhaps someone like Mallik Wilks at Hull would fit the bill, though that's a massive step up.
