Armstrong heads to Forest Green Rovers
Craig Armstrong has signed for Forest Green Rovers until the end of the season on loan. The 34 year old will sign for his 16th club tomorrow morning.
Armstrong signed for us in the summer after left Kidderminster Harriers. He joined us hoping to play games in central midfield or central defence but was used as a left back by Holdsworth. Armstrong has been in and out of the side this season but has managed to make 17 appearances for us and another 2 from the bench. He started off as our first choice left back with Paul Heckingbottom being out injured and he started the season off well. However, it was apparent that his lack of pace was his major weak spot and teams were targeting this.
Paul Heckingbottom gained fitness and Armstrong found himself on the bench for a good few weeks watching on. Towards the end of January Armstrong found himself in the team again, it looked like Holdsworth was deciding which player to keep. A few days later Paul Heckingbottom joined Gateshead on loan and with no replacement coming in the left back slot looked to be Craigs.
Craig played 2 or 3 games at left back and then Holdsworth brought in Andy Nicholas from Rotherham United. A player he had been chasing for a while. From this moment on it was obvious Armstrong was going to be a back up player once again. With rumours of him retiring at the end of the season I expected that he wouldn’t be happy sitting on the bench or in the stands until the end of the season. So this move doesn’t really surprise me but it leaves us a little short if Nicholas does get injured. We only have Ben Turner who I think is currently out on loan and Jonathan Ventrella who is part of our youth team.
From looking at Forest Green Rovers official website it looks like they have brought Armstrong in to play at central defence. I think he will be able to do a good job as long as he has somebody with a bit of pace playing along side him. He has decent composure on the ball and reads the game well. Whilst here at Mansfield he always gave 110% for us and I wish him well for the future!
Picture: Richard Parkes/Mansfieldtown.net
