#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl concedes responsibility for Southampton striker Adam Armstrong’s slow start #SAINTSFC

RALPH Hasenhuttl admitted some responsibility for Adam Armstrong struggling to find his feet in the Premier League, conceding that his tactics mean there is a lot for the striker to learn. The 25-year-old summer arrival from Championship Blackburn Rovers has only scored twice in 18 Premier League appearances, with the latest of those coming at the start of November. His first was a vicious finish within 22 minutes of his Saints debut at Goodison Park – but Everton are Saints’ next opponents and it is likely that Armstrong could end up not involved on the pitch. He has been an unused substitute in the last three league fixtures and has played just 24 minutes of league action in 2022. An FA Cup start versus former loan side Coventry City, billed as a big chance for the pacey attacker to stake a claim, ended with him being hooked at half-time. The forward's last goal came in the St Mary's clash with Aston Villa at the start of November (Pic: Stuart Martin) However, Hasenhuttl admitted that he started the former Newcastle product to the left of the striker in a position he was not used to, while many of his recent cameos have also been in secondary forward or attacking midfield roles. “It was definitely not his fault,” the Austrian told the Daily Echo, of Armstrong’s performance in the FA Cup fourth round. Saints' Adam Armstrong has played just 24 minutes of Premier League football in 2022 (Pic: Stuart Martin) “I put him in a position where he does not feel comfortable, in the red zone. He is more comfortable playing on the highest line where (Shane) Longy was playing in this game, through the gaps and in behind. “I think it was a little bit, because of the tactics, not a good performance from him. But I am still convinced about this player, I know that he has some good strengths and will help us definitely, he will score his goals here for sure.” He continued: “Like always, I remember the first year for Che (Adams) here, it was a tough one, so it is a long-term project like it is for all of the other players. “Some people take a little longer to adapt, some people take it quicker, it is no problem.” Che Adams scored his sixth Premier League goal of the season at Old Trafford (Pic: PA) Asked if that meant Hasenhuttl shoulders some of the responsibility for Armstrong’s slow start himself, he responded: “Yeah, we are flexible tactically and there are different demanding challenges you have to face as a forward here in this team. “We work a lot against the ball, have different positions in possession, he must be very flexible and this is what he has to learn – I think he will get better. “He has some good potential and he will develop this, even then learning how to act when you are in the red zone, learning how to act when you are between the lines, on the last line he has some good strengths. “He has the finish, he has shown he is quick, so he has shown that can score for us and he will in the future.” It took Adam Armstrong just 22 minutes to open his Saints account (Pic: PA) Saints fans saw in a flash what Armstrong was capable of with that Merseyside opener. They had already begun the chants proclaiming the number nine as Danny Ings’ rightful successor. Yet the emergence of loanee Armando Broja and continued improvement of Scottish international Che Adams has meant that Armstrong is not the focal point, breaking beyond the lines. Both of the aforementioned two share that similar strength of raw pace and drive, but are right now more complete. However, with Broja’s stock rising, there is no guarantee that he will not be at Chelsea or anywhere else next season. It feels like then and beyond is when Armstrong could make a mark in his favoured role. che adams’ form now is exactly why we need to give adam armstrong time.. #saintsfc — Emma Louise Broadway (@elmobroadway) February 9, 2022 “I try to develop every player, no matter if he is on loan here or permanent,” Hasenhuttl continued. “To get the best out of the team, the selection is based on the demands we have from the opposition, whether they are sitting deeper or are you giving you a little bit more space. “When you are under pressure you need different qualities from your forwards and when you have a team that is playing a lot of set-pieces, you also have to take care of this. “It is very often a decision taken by the demands you have from the opponents, this is how it is.”