Armstrong: Saints' style the perfect fit
Adam Armstrong says Southampton’s front-footed style is what attracted him to the club.
The striker, who scored 29 goals in the Championship for Blackburn last season, is hungry to continue his happy habit of finding the net in the Premier League.
Armstrong, 24, believes Saints’ high-pressing, counter-attacking approach can help him do that.
“I think that’s what attracted me towards Southampton – the way they play, they’re on the front foot, the pressing, counter-attacking,” he said.
“That’s something that’s my kind of game as well – I’ve scored most of my goals on the counter-attack or from chances being created high up the pitch where I’m taking balls off defenders.
“I spoke to the gaffer and it just seemed perfect, and I’ve touched on it before – I’m over the moon that I’m here and hopefully I can kick-start my career.
“I had a chat with him and he just explained how he wants me to play, how his team play, and that was a major key of coming here.”
Armstrong’s goal glut in 2020/21 followed a 17-goal campaign the previous season, taking his tally to 46 in two years, and 43 in his last 71 appearances.
“I think it’s just confidence,” he continued. “As a striker, you know you’re going to get chances in the game, but I’ve always been a confident lad – on the pitch and off the pitch – in my own abilities of what I can do.
“I think it all just came together in the last two seasons. I was playing down the middle a lot more – I had to bide my time to get that shirt down the middle, and as soon as I went down the middle I started producing the goals.
“It’s something that strikers get looked on, is goals. I’m sure that’s all they can go off really, and I’m thankful that I’ve scored quite a few goals.
“Like I’ve said before, I’m a confident lad and I won’t shy away on the pitch of taking shots and entertaining the fans, and hopefully scoring a few goals for them.”
