JOE SPRINGS TO SWANS’ DEFENCE
Geordie Adam is backed by strike legend Al to make it big at Blackburn
ADAM ARMSTRONG dreamed of emulating Alan Shearer from the age of nine.
The Geordie striker’s mission is coming true... not at his home-town club Newcastle, but at Blackburn where Shearer won the title.
Armstrong, 21, signed a four-year deal this week after a £1.8million switch, and will kick start his permanent Rovers career this weekend cheered by a good luck message from Shearer.
Quitting Newcastle, after being told he wouldn’t get a chance under Rafa Benitez, was not a hard decision – because he wants games.
Armstrong, who won the Under-20 World Cup with England last season, is typical of talented English youngsters fighting for a chance at the top level.
That chance didn’t happen at Newcastle, and he says clubs should put more trust in kids, just like England.
“I realised early on you have to get out on loan and play games,” said Armstrong (below). “I adapted to different ways of playing. I’ve had over 100 games now and I’m still young.
“I have been on loan a few times, Coventry, Barnsley, Bolton and promotion with Blackburn last season.
“You learn the ups and downs, that it doesn’t always work out. As a young lad you feel on trial all the time.
“You have to constantly show what you can do.
“Should Premier League club’s give youngsters more of a chance? Yes. It is great seeing young lads doing well.
“Gareth Southgate has shown belief in English youngsters. He was my U-21 manager and brought lads up to the seniors. They have proven they can play at the standard. It is all about trusting young footballers.
“The England teams have been huge for me. I got called into the U-16s and played all through the ages.
“We won the Euros at U-17, won the Toulon tournament, won the World Cup. We have always had a tight group.” Armstrong hopes for goals at Blackburn under Tony Mowbray and to secure a place in the England U-21 squad for next summer’s Euros.
He added: “With the seniors doing so well at the World Cup it just shows what English players can do given the chance.”
He is muscular but not tall, and has studied videos of Sergio Aguero and Wayne Rooney to improve.
He added: “Shearer was my hero as a kid but I looked up Wayne Rooney a lot. I based my game on him.
“I love Aguero, too. I met Rooney on England duty.
“He gave me some tips. I spoke to him a bit and I was thankful for that. It was after I played for Newcastle at Old Trafford. He said he knew stuff about me.
“That was massive for me. He said work hard, take you chance.
“On England, duty Southgate gives you the time of day. It’s inspiring.
“To win a promotion with Blackburn was massive last season and hopefully we can continue like that this season.” SWANSEA’S disastrous deadline day has left them with just one centre-back for today’s clash – and they are set to call up young Joe Rodon as cover.
Mike van der Hoorn (above) is the only central defender left at the Liberty Stadium after Federico Fernandez and Jordi Amat both exited the club.
Swans striker Oli Mcburnie even joined Swansea fans in tweeting his confusion over the lack of new arrivals.
It is understood manager Graham Potter was left frustrated at the board’s stance, while he was struck down with illness, as untested Rodon, 20, gets set to be thrown in at the deep end.
“There’s a few defensive options that we can go through,” said Swans assistant manager Billy Reid. “We have Joe, who is one of the younger players.
“Joe has been great in pre-season for us and I was very impressed with his attitude. We will see where we are.”