Southampton are a club renowned for their impeccable transfer business, which is what has made the past few years somewhat confusing.

They have seemingly struggled to capture the impressive lesser-known talents, which has resulted in declining performances.

Poor results at the tail end of last season threatened to drag them into a relegation battle before they finished 15th, whilst this season they sit in 18th after ten games.

Pressure is mounting on Ralph Hasenhuttl, whose side have only managed to score nine goals whilst conceding 18.

Part of that offensive problem can be traced back to the quality of replacement for Danny Ings, who left for £25m just last summer.

The Austrian turned to Adam Armstrong from the Championship to be his new marksman, but he has since disappointed.

Having scored 28 times for Blackburn Rovers during the 2020/21 campaign, he could only manage two goals in his debut Premier League term.

He has once again started this season in a similarly toothless fashion, with just one goal in his opening ten league games.

This return would not be so scrutinised had the club not forked out £15m for his services, and had he not been tasked with replacing the man who scored 46 times in 100 appearances for the Saints.

Not only this but he has been sat on a relatively high £48k-per-week wage too. In total, he has cost the club £17.9m so far, and counting.

Journalist Benjy Nurick tried to analyse what was causing Armstrong’s “crisis of confidence” in front of goal, citing his need to take more time and extra touches before striking.

It is this hesitation that can make all the difference in the Premier League, where nobody is afforded space to do as they please.

He is not the sole reason for his side’s disappointing attack, as Che Adams also only has two goals this campaign.

But nine goals and five assists during the 2020/21 campaign suggest the Scotsman does have something to offer Hasenhuttl. Armstrong is yet to show anything of value, and sooner or later he must be binned so the club can reassess and reinvest.