Southampton: Review of Stuart Armstrong’s Saints season thus far

Southampton’s seven million pound summer signing from Celtic, Stuart Armstrong, has given the Saints some solid performances, but can fans expect more?

Before we get started, if you have not seen it, Southampton released a fitting Valentine’s Day video tribute to Stuart Armstrong’s beautiful head of hair that everyone should check out.

All hair products aside, Armstrong’s season from a fan’s perspective appears to be overshadowed by his four goals, which have come in twenty-three appearances in all competitions.  With 1316 minutes on the pitch this season, that equates to a goal every 329 minutes or about a goal every 3.67 games.  Considering he has taken a consistent attacking role under both Mark Hughes and Ralph Hasenhuttl, is that enough from a player with Champions League experience?

To further the argument, three of those tallies came in a two game span against Fulham and Manchester United.  His brace against Fulham was fully cancelled out in a 3-2 away loss, and his opening goal against United was scored as a part of a 2-2 draw.  Armstrong’s fourth and most recent goal came in the FA Cup third round replay against Derby, and once again did not lead to a positive Southampton result.  Although, it is hard to fault the timing of Armstrong’s goals as they tie to the team’s consistent inability to close out leads.

The other aspect to consider when analyzing the goals, is that only one has come since Hasenhuttl’s arrival.  The Austrian’s high pressing game has put Armstrong in an even more advanced role than in Hughes’ tactical system, yet the Saints’ attacking-midfielder is not hitting his target.  As part of a dangerous front three with Nathan Redmond and Danny Ings when healthy, one would think his opportunities would truly open up.

Hasenhuttl has also decreased Armstrong’s playing time since the New Year.  After selecting Armstrong for his starting eleven in three out of the four first games in charge, he has been chosen just four times in the last nine.  Now there are two obvious reasons for this.  One, Armstrong has had persistent calf issues all season, and was held out in last week’s loss to Cardiff for that specific reason.  Two, the emergence of James Ward-Prowse as a goal-scoring threat.

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• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

A few other speculative reasons for his lack of playing time could be his lack of pace, defensive inefficiencies, and/or Hasenhuttl’s preferred 3-5-2 shape.  However, if the formation shifts to a 4-3-3, which is possible after the Cardiff debacle, Armstrong would likely be a perfect fit for the Saints’ system.

Other Premier League stats to consider (provided by whoscored.com) are:

• 1.3 Shots Per Game
• 1.1 Key Passes Per Game
• .7 Dribbles Per Game
• 1 Dispossessed Per Game
• 1.5 Bad Controls Per Game

One can analyze those stats all you want, but it reminds you that he is not shy about taking shots from distance, but he is not creating things for anyone other than himself.  With no assists on the season, Hasenhuttl has likely expressed in his one on one conversations Armstrong’s need to connect with the players around him.

With all of that said, there is certainly a quality player to work with here.  Armstrong is just 26, with European and International experience, and a goal in him.  When he picks up the ball from 20 yards he wants to score and he showed he can strike through a ball, evidence, United.

Adjusting to Hasenhuttl’s system has been difficult for more than one Southampton player, but the new manager has not talked about Armstrong much.  Maybe that is because he is the type of player that just goes about his job and gives the manager what he asks for, with some underlying tendencies he needs to develop.  He is also competing for playing with a red hot James Ward-Prowse at the moment, but how long can that hot streak truly last?

With Ings out again with a hamstring, Michael Obafemi just returning to training, Charlie Austin falling out of favor, and Shane Long historically un-prolific in front of goal, one would think a healthy Armstrong will be a key player down the stretch.  Only time will tell, but Southampton certainly need goals, and if the moment doesn’t faze him, Armstrong just might score some of the Saints’ most important goals before the season’s end.