York City have today announced the signing of central midfielder Marvin Armstrong from Barnet for an undisclosed fee.
Armstrong joined the Bees from Worthing, where he made 89 appearances in West Sussex and was a key component in their 2021/22 Isthmian Premier Division title-winning side.
His fine form in a Worthing shirt earned him a move to North London as Dean Brennan brought him to Barnet at the start of the 2022/23 season.
The central midfielder made 28 league appearances last season, 12 of which were from the start, and he scored two goals as his blistering pace and work ethic caught the eye of many fans.
This season, however, Armstrong has found opportunities harder to come by. He has made just five league starts for the Bees, most of which were at the start of the season despite the fact that there has been somewhat of an injury crisis at the club in recent weeks.
The move to York will see him reunite with his former manager Adam Hinshelwood as the Minstermen look to put a good run of form together at the end of the season in order to pull themselves out of the relegation zone.
Writer’s View
Unfortunately, Armstrong is one of many Barnet players to have been a victim of the change in style which Dean Brennan has instituted this season. Similarly to Laurie Walker, who has now been replaced in the side by Josh Keeley, the midfielder’s skillset is not particularly well-suited to a possession-based style of football. He is a player who will work hard and be tenacious in the centre of the pitch, and his pace allows him to run in behind defences and make late runs into the box.
From a York perspective, the signing should be quite an astute one. Although their recruitment policy has come under fire as they have slipped down the table. The undisclosed fee which they have paid for Armstrong should prove to be value for money. Hard work and tenacity are two qualities which any relegation-threatened side needs if they want to get out of trouble and his prior relationship with Hinshelwood should aid the side tactically.
