NEW Saints striker Adam Armstrong chuckled at his coincidental Alan Shearer comparisons but swiftly moved to confirm: “Shearer was a massive legend at Newcastle, Southampton and Blackburn as well. That’s something that I’m trying to do the same.”
Of course, no one has compared the 24-year-old to legendary shooter Shearer on footballing terms just yet – he’s just the few hundred goals shy – but Armstrong has followed the icon’s career path in reverse.
Shearer started at Saints before moving to Blackburn in 1992, and then eventually on to the Toon in 1996, where he spent a decade and finished his career.
Armstrong, on the other hand, graduated from the Newcastle academy before moving to his next permanent club Blackburn, and now on to Saints in a £15m move.
He got off the mark for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Everton.
When the comparisons were mentioned to the forward, he joked to the club website: “It’s not too bad eh!
“I just looked at that before I think actually I’ve done his career backwards, it’s a funny comparison, but Shearer was a massive legend at Newcastle, Southampton and Blackburn as well.
“That’s something that I’m trying to do the same.
“I think the way Southampton play is what attracted me to the club, playing on the front foot, pressing, counter-attacking, that’s something that’s my kind of game as well.
“I score most of my goals where I’m countering or chances being created high up the pitch, taking the ball off defenders high up the pitch. I spoke to the gaffer and it just seems perfect.
“I’ve had a chat with him (Ralph Hasenhuttl) and he explains how he wants us to play and how his teams play, and yeah it will be good to get to know the boys more.”
For Armstrong there’s no doubt in his pride and joy of being back in the Premier League after six seasons had passed since his Newcastle top-flight days.
Asked about whether he’d had a look at Saints’ fixture list for the campaign, he insisted some had indeed caught his eye.
He said: “I have looked at the fixtures I must admit, and a few stand out.
“Newcastle away pretty soon will be a good one. Every game is going to be brilliant, going from, no disrespect to the Championship, but teams playing there to your Man City’s and United’s.
“As a kid that’s what I’ve always wanted, ever since I was little. Hopefully I can entertain the fans and put on a show.”
Armstrong is set to be involved when Saints host Manchester United in the top flight on Sunday.
