Adam Armstrong sets Southampton teammates revenge challenge

The Black Cats issued Southampton's first defeat of the Championship season the day after transfer deadline night at Stadium of Light.

It was also the first time former Newcastle man Armstrong, who has played a part in every league match this campaign, captained the side. 

Armstrong has continued to lead by example this season and has 17 goals and 11 assists in 35 Championship matches. 

Previewing the tie with the Daily Echo, Armstrong said: "It's similar to every game, we know the qualities they have.

Adam Armstrong has been one of the league's most influential players across his last two Championship seasons (Image: PA)

"They beat us 5-0 at their place and will be raring to go again. It is down to us to put that right and give them one back.

"A lot of the lads were uncertain on their futures at that stage but how far we have come as a group since then is incredible.

"We have togetherness as a group and we have stuck by the gaffer and the way he plays to go all those games unbeaten."

Saints have had a week's recovery due to their midweek match against Preston being postponed due to a fire at St Mary's industrial estate. 

Staff and executives were already on their way to St Mary's when the game was called off by officials hours ahead of kick-off.

"Luckily, nobody got hurt - we saw it on social media first and got told around 4pm that it was going to be postponed," Armstrong said.

"You're already getting prepared for the game and then you've got to switch off again and be ready for the next one.

"That is what this league is all about, Saturday to Tuesday. Most of the lads have a routine on a game day, especially a night game. 

"It might be eating later or just having a nice rest to get raring to go but when you build that up it's hard to switch off."

Russell Martin concedes it is "very unlikely" postponed Preston match will be rescheduled for next week.

That is Saints and police preference but so far not agreed with visitors. Means packed April. More on international break plans, including friendly efforts:#SaintsFC

— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) March 8, 2024

The postponements of Preston and Leicester City, which was pushed back due to the Foxes' FA Cup progression, make April a busy month.

Saints will visit Leicester on Tuesday, April 23, while Russell Martin labelled it unlikely Preston can be played before the international break. 

However, Armstrong insists the prospect of 10 games in 36 days to decide the club's fate should not be feared. 

He said: "It's what it is all about, we have to look forward to it. It's 11 games of giving everything to get back up."

Armstrong started on the bench in a league fixture for the first time this season two weeks ago when Saints were beaten 2-1 by Millwall.

He also came on as a substitute in the FA Cup fifth round defeat at Liverpool a few days later, before starting at Birmingham. 

Martin revealed that the number nine was still angry at him for making that decision by the time the visit to St Andrew's came around. 

"Just like any other player, I want to play every game but he thought I needed a rest and that's the manager's decision," Armstrong explained. 

Looks like Adam Armstrong timed his run to perfection yesterday.

Use the cut pitch line as a marker.

Linesman is also bang in line.

Nothing dodgy in our favour there at all #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/F1TpcE0pNT

— Saints Analysis (@saints_analysis) March 3, 2024

"I still love him so I will let him off for that one. It's a long season so you can't play every minute but I am raring to go. 

"I felt good, I always look after myself off the pitch and I always feel ready to give everything in a game. 

"I thought we were excellent, the gaffer has touched on us giving three sloppy goals away but other than that we were excellent."

Armstrong now forms a crucial part of an exciting and experienced from three alongside Che Adams and David Brooks. 

All three got on the scoresheet at Birmingham and they have 189 Championship goals or assists between them in their careers.

Adam Armstrong and Che Adams are close friends off the pitch (Image: PA)

Armstrong added: "There is a lot of experience, the other two have played lots of Premier League games.

"There is a lot of quality. It is about supporting each other and pushing each other and that something the squad does have."

Armstrong is in the running for the league's top scorer award but - no matter how many times we ask - he will never admit to setting targets. 

"I never do, I feel like it just hangs over you if you're not hitting them," he elaborated. 

He is three behind Blackburn Rovers attacker Sammie Szmodics and no doubt will have one eye on that chart if he can start to catch up.

With 11 cup finals left this season, every notch the £15million striker can add might just go a long way to achieving the club's ambitions.