Southampton fans indirectly urge new signing Damion Downs to mirror Adam Armstrong's 24-goal Championship season.
Counting from now, the 2025/26 Championship season is just a month away, and Southampton fans' fears have reached an all-time high. But, the concern isn't just defensive reinforcements, instead, the focus is back on what proved to be their biggest roadblock last season.
Yes, the lack of goals upfront.
Going by the Championship trend, any club vying for a playoff spot saw itself netting at least 60 goals last season. And the numbers just inflate looking further beyond, as the mark stood at 80 goals during the 2022/23 season.
Needless to say, if the Saints want to push for promotion, they need the majority of these goals to come from the forward line.
Now, going by the situation, even if one expects a fair share of 15 goals combined between Dibling and Ross Stewart, the Saints still need a prolific striker to bag 20 goals for them. And left with only new signing Damion Downs upfront, the mantle falls on his shoulders.
Saints fans want Downs to step up as Armstrong's successor
Fair to assume, the supporters would want Downs to replicate what Adam Armstrong or Che Adams did for the club in the 2022/23 season. And now, the club faithful isn't hesitating to let Downs know of this demand.
Recently, fan pundit Martin Sanders took the lead on fans' behalf, as he looked apprehensive to let Armstrong go. Speaking to Football League World, Sanders said: "I'd be very disappointed for us to let someone like Arma go, someone that you know could score goals at that level. Downs will be new to the country, it's a big move for him and he would have to hit the ground running pretty quickly."
Honestly, it will take a lot for Downs to stand tall on these expectations from the beginning, yet that's also what makes it an opportunity worth shining.
That's because, in recent history, rarely any Saints forward has crossed the double-digit mark in his debut season, let alone talk of 20 goals. And that's what will add to the pressure expectations on the US forward who is dampened after a Cup Final defeat.
Overall, it's a make-or-break demand for 21-year-old Damion Downs. But if he stands up anywhere near the ask, Downs will surely guarantee a spot in Southampton's future project.