Armstrong admits Southampton players deserve criticism aimed at Martin

Martin was swiftly relieved of his duties in the hours that followed the 5-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening.

The St Mary's side had shipped all five goals in an embarrassing first half but rallied as Spurs rotated after the break to avoid further punishment.

Saints have begun the hunt for a new boss but vice-captain Armstrong insisted the club's position at the bottom of the league is not all Martin's fault.

READ MORE: Saints interim boss Rusk set to face media for first time today

"That's the world we're in but I think it's got to be the players as well. You know, we're the ones on the pitch who have to do it," he told the Daily Echo.

Adam Armstrong captained Saints in three 5-0 defeats under Russell Martin (Image: Stuart Martin)

"It wasn't good enough from minute one, I think they scored in under 40 seconds, it's simply not good enough. I've said in a few interviews, it's not us.

"When you come up against these teams, you get punished. You get the press wrong or become uncoordinated and you've seen what happens.

"In the first half, they showed their quality and punished us. We had a whole week to try and set a gameplan but it's one of those nights, it happens in football.

"It's probably one of the toughest first halves I've been involved in, considering the situation we're in. But now it's about how we regroup and go again.

"It's about how your characters come out in big games and moments like that. You know, it's not all roses but we said at half-time, 'No more goals'.

"As captain, it's hard to get the boys going when you're 5-0 down but it's how we reacted, I thought, in the second half. We gave everything out there."

While thousands of Saints fans streamed out the exits at half-time, those who remained inside the ground made their thoughts on the situation clear.

Saints fans display a banner against Russell Martin at St Mary's (Image: Stuart Martin)

Their reaction to the performance and discontent with Martin's management of the team was what urged Sport Republic to pull the trigger on his sacking. 

But sandwiching those moments was a continued rally of support. Particularly from the Northam stand, supporters sang right up to the end.

"They have been there all year and you saw it all last season. They've been amazing. I'm a fan myself, it's tough to go through these moments," said Armstrong.

"I can feel the pain. When you're not winning games, it's as simple as that. It's not good enough. I'm being realistic about it. As players, we know it's not good enough."

Saints will be back in front of their home fans on Wednesday when Premier League leaders Liverpool visit for the Carabao Cup's last eight (8pm).

Armstrong said: "It's a quarter-final of the cup against really good opposition where we have to get everyone going again and get the fans going.

"We need to get around the group and show the character because there's a lot of young boys in there who might not know how to take nights like this."