If Adam Armstrong had started in Blackburn’s Carabao Cup clash at St James’ Park this time last week, we might’ve been in deep trouble.
No Championship player has scored more goals in 2020 (16) and the former Newcastle United talent has also raced into the lead in the scoring charts for the new season.
He scored in Rovers’ Carabao Cup win over Doncaster a fortnight ago, bagged again in Blackburn’s opening day defeat at Bournemouth last weekend and has now rattled in a stunning hat-trick in their 5-0 win over newly promoted Wycombe on Saturday.
This all follows on from him bagging 17 goals and 7 assists in a mid-table second tier side across 2019/20, and it seems several Blackburn supporters have already accepted he won’t be with them too much longer.
A fan we spoke to a fan before last Tuesday’s cup clash on Tyneside was full of praise for his technical ability and devastating finishing, believing the 23-year-old will honestly be worth up to £20m before long, with a top flight move only a matter of time away.
“Realistically, if he has another season like last and we don’t get promoted then we won’t be keeping him. He’ll want to play Premier League football and the pessimist in me says that he could be gone within a year or two if we don’t at least challenge for promotion.
“Honestly, I’d expect Rovers to ask for at least £20m for him just based off how important he is to the team.
“In short, he IS that good.”
“I’d have thought there’d be a hefty sell on clause or something to offset the small fee – but it’s Mike Ashley, so who knows?“
He’s known as the ‘Angel of the North’ at Ewood Park and a Premier League move feel imminent if he keeps up this form for much longer, with the Lancashire Live revealing that several top flight clubs are closely monitoring his outstanding form in the second tier.
Alan Pardew once described him as the best finisher at Newcastle when he was well and truly on the fringes as a undeveloped teenager who’d barely kicked a ball at senior level, and it’s quite clear he’s taken his game up a few notches since then, being involved in 43 goals in 100 appearances for Blackburn since his £1.75m exit two years ago.
Although he’s smaller in stature, he reminds me of Danny Ings in his ability to make good runs, use his pace effectively and always get his shots on target, with his technique and striking of a ball looking top class.
The way he’s going, we’ll have to hope a heft sell-on clause exists in his contract – if not a generous buy-back option, because he looks better than a few of the attackers at Steve Bruce’s disposal this season!
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In short, I’ve seen him in the Premiership and he ISN’T that good.
He had chances but never seemed up to the level required to score goals at that level.
mactoon(Quote)
He did play against Newcastle last week
Scott(Quote)
Eh? He was a totally inexperienced teenager at the time.
Ridiculous to say he’s not up to it at this level because he didn’t immediately impress as an 18-year-old in a poor team under Alan Pardew.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
He didn’t start though. Came on late, but he’d have buried a few of those chances that fell to Holtby!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Second tier team?
Tom(Quote)
The ability to play across the modern front three puts him firmly in the shop window for most prem teams outside the top 10
Tony Mowbray(Quote)
https://eflanalysis.com/analysis/adam-armstrong-at-blackburn-rovers-2019-20-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics
Tony Mowbray(Quote)
I said he never seemed that good at the time he was given chances at Newcastle which is what I based my opinion on. He may have improved since then and I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt if he has improved but my opinion is not ridiculous given that it is based on what I have seen of him when he played at premiership level.
mactoon(Quote)
Some players are just Championship (or even lower) quality – that’s the way it is.
Gayle, Mitrovic, Toney and Armstrong have all shown that they can be prolific in the lower leagues but that doesn’t mean they can make it at the highest level where midfields and defences are a lot less forgiving.
They don’t all turn out to be Jamie Vardy.
JFA127(Quote)