FORWARD Adam Armstrong insisted the support shown by Saints fans during their 3-1 win over West Brom was the "best" he has ever seen.

Southampton fans answered the club's calls to show their vocal support to the players ahead of kick-off by arriving early to greet their arrival.

They did not disappoint. Red and white clad fans packed the road outside the stadium, turning the air crimson with flares as the coach rolled up to St Mary's.

He told the Daily Echo: "It was unbelievable. What a win. We knew how big the game was coming into it, we didn’t beat around the bush.

"This season has been amazing. To win 87 points and not get promoted automatically is crazy.

“It shows how good the league has been this season. I don’t know what to say. I’m buzzing. The lads are buzzing that we have got a trip to Wembley with friends and family.

"We knew about it in the morning, but we didn’t know how big it was going to be. That is the best (support) I’ve seen.

"All the flares, all the flags and the singing - that’s why you are in football.  It was an unbelievable feeling.

"I’m lost for words. It 100 per cent pushed us on. The way we play is brave. The gaffer has touched on it before, it’s exciting but it’s also nerve-wracking at times. 

“We have stuck to it and put ourselves in an unbelievable position."

Daily Echo: Adam Armstrong hit goals 22 and 23 for the Championship campaign

The Southampton players were greeted by another loud reaction when they came out for their pre-match warmups.

The atmosphere clearly pushed the players on, which was the intention. They came flying out of the gates against the Baggies, causing them all sorts of problems from minute one.

"Across two legs against West Brom, we knew that it was going to be tough," Armstrong continued. "Anything can happen in the playoffs, you’ve seen it for years and years.

“We just had to thrive off the atmosphere. We were raring to go as soon as we got here.

"I wanted to get my boots on straight away and get out there. The atmosphere was incredible, but we have got one game to go.”

Southampton opened the scoring through academy graduate Will Smallbone, who raced onto a give-and-go with David Brooks before cracking a shot past Alex Palmer.

It was the Irish international's seventh goal of the season. Armstrong was full of praise for his teammate, who he claims has been brilliant this year.

Daily Echo: Adam Armstrong praised Will Smallbone, who gave Saints the leadAdam Armstrong praised Will Smallbone, who gave Saints the lead (Image: Stuart Martin)

“It’s unbelievable (for him), Will has been outstanding this season," he explained. "It’s not easy for a lad from his home club to come through.

READ MORE: 'Absolute star' - Martin insists Smallbone is already a 'top player'

"I think he’s played nearly every minute this year. He has been outstanding. What a finish that was to get us started for the second half.”

Armstrong hit Southampton’s second with 12 regular minutes remaining to add more comfort to their lead as they edged towards the final.

“I was thinking that I need to try and get a goal. I saw Flynn (Downes) driving at the defender and thought that I had a chance to have a go.

"I always try to shoot through a defender's legs. Luckily enough it was a nice strike and it went into the back of the net."

The Geordie's goalscoring exploits did not stop there as he grabbed his second of the evening from the spot - taking his goals and assist tally for the season up to 36.

“For the penalty, I felt pretty relaxed. I picked a spot and I put it there. It was unbelievable. There has been a lot of good performances this year so it’s hard to say if that was our best one.”