STRIKER Adam Armstrong will always look back on his time with the Sky Blues with fond memories and the young striker feels his season-long loan has been hugely beneficial to his career.
The 19-year-old was an instant revelation after joining from Premier League side Newcastle United last summer and his 20 goals this season helped Tony Mowbray’s side secure a top eight finish in League One.
Armstrong initially joined the Sky Blues on a six-month loan deal but 13 goals in just 21 matches before Christmas sparked calls of a recall by some sections of the Newcastle support, while there was also reported interest from the Championship too.
But the young striker stayed at the Ricoh Arena and he feels the year-long spell has been hugely beneficial to his career.
“I came here as an 18-year-old and I think I needed that in my career,” Armstrong told the Observer.
“I didn’t know how well it was going to do and I don’t think that any of my family or close friends knew either because being so young I didn’t know what to expect and I hadn’t played at this level before.
“I’d played a lot of under-21s football and made 15 appearances for Newcastle, five minutes now and than and that’s been a massive experience for me as well.
“The step up from under-21 football to League One is massive. You’re playing competitive football when you come out on loan and 21s is about producing players, playing the right football.
“When you go out on loan I think it’s more about needing the three points, whereas for under-21 football you just look for good performances. Obviously you want to win as well but coming out on loan as been really good for me.”
Armstrong’s efforts this season were rewarded at the end of the season awards where he picked up a hat-trick of accolades.
His 20 goals earned him the top goalscorer title and he was voted as the club’s Young Player of the Year by the coaching staff and management.
Armstrong, who was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year, also came away with the coveted Goal of the Season award for his superb individual long range effort against Millwall on the second day of the season as Tony Mowbray’s romped to a convincing 4-0 victory.
“I’m really pleased. “To win three awards is massive for me and I can only thank the staff and my team mates for helping me along the way, it feels good.
“The fans have been massive to me here and I appreciate every single one of them. I’ve done really well and the fans have helped with that so it’s been amazing.
“I can’t pick out any specific highlight during my time at Coventry I think all of it has been amazing.
“I’ve made a lot of friends and all of the lads have helped me out. The staff, the fans everything has been really good and I don’t think it could have gone any better to be honest.
“We’ve done really well this season and I think the club can only push on.”
Looking ahead Armstrong is determined to make his mark at newly relegated Newcastle in the Championship next season, but firstly he wants to taste more success with the England Under-19s this summer.
“I’ve played for England since I was 15 and I’ve come all the way through the ranks.
“We’re going away for the Euro Finals in July with the Under-19s. We won that with the Under-17s two years ago so we need to retain that and I think we’re well capable of doing that with the players we’ve got.”
“Getting on the pitch at St James’ Park was massive for me being from Newcastle. Newcastle is my club at the minute and that’s who I want to play for.
“I want to work really hard in pre-season and try and get into the gaffer’s mind and we’ll see what happens next season.”
