RALPH Hasenhuttl insisted “if you do not shoot, then you cannot score” after stats emerged showing misfiring Adam Armstrong has taken more efforts than his striker partners in fewer games.

The £15million summer arrival has scored just twice since joining from Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers, despite taking a total of 44 shots in 20 Premier League appearances.

Armando Broja, who has netted six goals in his debut season, has taken just 37 shots with a 54% accuracy rate. Che Adams has seven from 40 shots, with 20 on target.

Armstrong, 25, has only nailed 14 of his 44 shots on target – as he scuffs and snatches at good chances whilst trying to make an impact at his new side.

Both of his goals, versus Everton on the opening day of the campaign and in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa, were not easy goals. They were vicious strikes taken on instinct.

“I think this is something you can learn and can definitely improve.” Hasenhuttl said, assessing these stats.

“This is something you have to learn and I don’t want to speak about the Championship, but the goalkeepers and the defenders are better in the Premier League.

“So it’s not that easy to score from some positions. You can still do it when you do it perfectly.

“But if you do not shoot on goal, then you cannot score. I love strikers who do this.”

He continued: “After the action you sometimes think maybe you could have lifted your head and seen another option. I was a striker myself and I know that this is a stressful situation for everybody.”

Armstrong has been frequently shunted out to the left of Hasenhuttl’s side, or worse still left on the bench, as a result of improved form from Adams and the emergence of Broja.

Brought in as a replacement for Danny Ings and taking the nine shirt, it is not necessarily indicative of his Saints future – who believe in the forward to lead the line when settled.

Broja could return to parent club Chelsea at the end of the campaign, and depending on the summer plans for the transfer window this could allow an opportunity again for Armstrong to move into a focal role, where he can capitalise on his pace in behind defenders.

“The first year in the Premier League is always a tough one, we saw that with Che Adams,” Hasenhuttl added, as he has commented throughout the year.

“As often as I speak with Adam, I tell him his time will come. I have definitely seen that he has the quality to help us and the last game against Manchester City was very good.”

The Austrian continued: “What he sometimes misses is the last bit of patience before he scores or shoots on goal.

“He can be calmer in some moments, and he knows this. It is not always necessary to shoot immediately, but when he did it against Aston Villa it was perfect and we loved it.

“Other times it was not maybe the right decision. It is only a question of time before he will be an important part of our team.

“He is a long-term project like all the other players in our squad.”