Southampton will need a strong finish to the Championship season if they are to win promotion from the Premier League.
The Saints currently sit 4th in the table. They are nine points adrift of the automatic promotion places, with a game in hand.
However, they are at least well set to secure a top six spot, which would give them a shot at promotion via the play-offs.
One player who wll no doubt be vital to any hopes Southampton have of sealing a return to the top-flight this season, is Adam Armstrong.
The 27-year-old has been in excellent form this season, scoring 18 goals in 36 league appearances. That has put him in contention to win the Championship Golden Boot come the end of the campaign.
Now, one pundit has backed him to do just that.
Adam Armstrong tipped for Championship award
Currently, Armstrong’s 18 league goals mean he is the second-highest scorer in the Championship’s individual scoring charts this season.
Leading the way is Sam Szmodics, who has found the net 21 times for Armstrong’s former club, Blackburn Rovers, during the current campaign.
However, with Southampton chasing promotion, Ryan Dilks believes circumstances may allow Armstrong to overhaul Szmodics to win the Golden Boot.
Speaking on the Second-Tier Podcast about why he thinks Armstrong will claim that individual honour, the EFL pundit said:
“I think it’s definitely between Szmodics and Armstrong, but I’m just going to edge it to Adam Armstrong. My thinking is; Southampton have two games extra to play over Blackburn, which could just push him ahead, and if they [Southampton] want to be in the automatic promotion race, they have to go for it and go front foot in every game, so I can see that leading to loads of chances and then more goals for Armstrong.”
Next up for Russell Martin‘s side after the international break, is the visit of Middlesbrough to St Mary’s on Friday afternoon.
Southampton getting the best out of their striker
Armstrong signed for the Saints back in the summer of 2021, following two prolfic seasons with Blackburn Rovers.
However, the previous two seasons had been frustrating for the striker, who managed just four Premier League goals in that time.
Now though, he is once again thriving in the Championship, which is allowing Southampton to get something of a return on their investment in him.
Indeed, that has not just come with his goals but with other responsibilities too. He also took on the captain’s armband earlier this season.
Given the much stronger position Southampton are in, and the extra games they have to play compared to Blackburn Rovers, Armstrong should have chance to go past Szmodics in the scoring charts too.
It would then be interesting to see if he could make a more significant impact in the Premier League next time round, if the Saints win promotion.
The fact he woud be moving up to that level with a club he is already familiar with and where he understands the system and manager, could give him a better chance to do so than last time.