07 Jun 2026 07:47:46
Armstrong on loan could be part of the deal for Hackney reading this morning.
07 Jun 2026 11:03:27
While I can understand we negotiate every deal within an inch of its life, I think we just need to start getting deals done early, or like every year we will be feeding off scraps. Would be good to get most of the team sorted by preseason.
{Ed025's Note - you do know this is Everton dont you Dev?.. :)
07 Jun 2026 11:22:44
Brighton have just signed a hot prospect from
AIK for 21 million, roughly seems to be the going rate. Get the deal done, move on to the next!
07 Jun 2026 11:40:45
Agree, JB, but we know different, mate.
07 Jun 2026 13:39:35
Is Hackney better than Armstrong. ?♂️
07 Jun 2026 21:15:34
Hackney and Armstrong are different types of midfielder, and would be deployed in different ways.
Hackney is more a deep-lying playmaker, good passing and intelligence to unlock a defence, and good dribbling skills, though not tested in the Premier League.
In a pair with James Garner, I suspect Garner would be doing more of the breakup, which he has done well this season.
And Hackney loves to pick out a defence-splitting through ball, which Beto loved running onto when Garner has hit them.
Armstrong is more physical and could develop into that defensive shield who sits in front of the centre backs, and be a box-to-box type.
I think another loan would help him develop those skills.
That's my take on it.
07 Jun 2026 21:50:53
Agree ST, mate.
08 Jun 2026 10:31:31
Armstrong doesn't need loaning out, he needs to be playing for us. Just how many years do you think you need to loan out a player till he's ready? Maybe till they're 29?
08 Jun 2026 11:29:09
He needs to be loaned out till the manager thinks he's ready, simple as that.
08 Jun 2026 12:24:50
That says it all, Bluepasty, mate, exactly.