I’m seeing a lot of positives with A. Armstrong. Movement on and off the ball are both really good. Finishing has generally been poor so far but he has proven pedigree as a goal scorer. It’s not like he’s an academy player making his debut season. Players get better with age. You mention Romeu, he's a great example. Had a few okay seasons with the odd flash of quality. Now he is arguably our most important player. Stuart Armstrong, another example. Was playing for Dundee around the same age that we signed Adam Armstrong. Now look at him. It's like fans expect footballers to reach their peak at 20 years old, and if they don't, get rid.
Plus, if we rate Ralph and team as a player coaches (which I believe we absolutely should do), let’s give them a chance too. His movement has definitely got a lot better already.
There's no reason now not to give Adam some decent game time now. A few starts, half an hour off the bench rather than just the usual 5-10 minute cameo.
Also, I can't remember A. Armstrong starting up front once this season alongside Broja. Broja has partnered Che, Redmond, even Tella. Maybe Ralph has missed a trick here. Could have been your classic big-man-little-man combo. Che's form improved when he was playing with Broja anyway.
I think Armstrong looks like the championship striker that we signed. Poor finisher at this level and although he has games where he's busy and plays well he lacks the genuine quality compare to others imo. I don't think the Che comparisons are valid personally. Che's all round game was far better in his first season and has the awareness and intelligence that AA just doesn't. Far too head down to make it at this level. Still a bit pissed with Ralph. #seasonover
Bookmarked Well, it would be if I had the first clue how to do that. And also if I could be arsed. I think he’ll come good though; like Shane Long, with goals. Only time will tell. If our strategy is identifying and developing young talent, we have to give them time to develop.
Maybe but I'm not really sure AA falls into the 'young talent" category. He's 25 and this is his 8th season as a regular playing professional. I'm all for giving him a chance (happy to be wrong) and its still early days but I've seen nothing from his time here so far or career to date that suggests he'll make it.
Thought he was younger than 25 tbh. Same age as Che then; not sure he’s that far behind him, but we’ll see. I still back him to make it, but then I thought Valery was going to be a world class RB so what tf do I know anyway?
I can't decide about AA. If we were to sell him tomorrow, I wouldn't bat an eyelid. But that isn't possible, and who knows he might yet make it. He's clearly been Ralph's fourth choice for sometime now. And if we actually had something to play for, I think I would agree with Ralph on that. But now that our season is over, I think consideration needs to be given to promoting him to second choice for these last nine games. In all likelihood, Broja and Long won't be here next season. As sad as that might be.
Everyone seems to have forgotten about Tella who has been absent for much of the season through injury. I think the game yesterday was another example of a match mirroring out performances in the first month of the season. We played well yet the result suggested otherwise. The recent four matches have really dampened the expectations. I did not watch the match but understand we were outclassed by Villa much like City outclassed us for the last twenty minutes yesterday. We were not bad against Newcastle and lost because we were not as well organised as the Geordies. Other than Villa, the other worrying performance was Watford where I felt we were genuinely dreadful. All in all, the reverses over these four games were a combination of 75% meeting better opposition as opposed to 25% being due to a woeful display. i am glad the international break has arrived when it has and it will give us the chance to re-group. I hope we do not end up being like Brighton and being cavalier in respect of how recent good work has been undone by some sloppy football. As I said on the other thread, I can see the squad being rebuilt in the summer and other players being brought in to replace those who have either not relivered or who have fulfilled their usefulness.
I think regardless of whether Armstrong is PL level we can’t rely on Adams and Armstrong alone next season. Assuming Broja goes we need another striker.
100%. Long is also out of contract and it is pretty clear Walcott is not up to it at this level. We need 4 senior strikers next season. Adams, Armstrong, Broja(?), new player.
Not even close for me. I suspect players like Tella will be looking up to Theo for advice and mentoring. Plus Theo actually started well at Saints when he initially joined on loan. Theo is well past it now, but don't underestimate the impact he has on young players like Tella.
Is he another one signed on high wages for his ‘presence in the dressing room’! edit: I know he’s not the worst. I’m just annoyed about him, I wonder what’s going on in training to make him not even make the bench.
Walcott's not good and he's paid too much, but ultimately he probably got a maximum of £10m compensation over two years from us. We shelled out well over double that for Carrillo, in fee/wages/bonuses, so he's still the clubhouse leader for worst signing by some measure.
