Armstrong has called for togetherness about Southampton unbeaten run
Southampton’s Adam Armstrong, by his own admission, is not a traditional football leader.
The Geordie forward isn’t the kind to yell orders at his colleague. Instead, he prefers to motivate his colleagues and set a good example on the field.
“I like to think that I help the lads out as much as I can,” he told the Daily Echo. “I’m not the kind to scream and shout on the field.
“I like to do my talking first before I can shout at anyone else.”
In the absence of club captain Jack Stephens, the 26-year-old has worn the captain’s armband as Saints have gone 14 games unbeaten.
With Stephens now fully recovered, Armstrong’s stint as matchday captain may be coming to an end.
Armstrong was seen instantly giving over the armband to his teammate upon his comeback against Blackburn Rovers.
Despite the fact that he will no longer be wearing the armband, he does not feel his role in the team will change.
“Now that Stephens is back, my role will not change at all.” Every day, I’ll be myself, and we’ll help one other.
“Stevo assists me; I’ve learned a lot from him in recent months.” It has been a privilege to take the armband from him.”
Martin called for more Saints players to take up as leaders earlier this season.
Armstrong, Jan Bednarek, and Che Adams were named to his list of players who have the potential to bring “more voice to the dressing room and be leaders.”
Martin has since praised Bednarek for being Southampton’s “boss on the pitch,” whereas Armstrong is always a figure of post-match adoration.
According to Armstrong, it hasn’t just been the group’s senior players who have risen to Martin’s challenge.
“Everyone has stepped up, even the young boys have come out of their shells a lot,” he said.
“You can see that both on and off the field.” We have a wonderful sense of community right now. Going 14 games unbeaten demonstrates the quality of our team.”
When asked why more players have displayed leadership skills this season compared to previous, Armstrong said it’s a combination of winning games and the work done by Martin and his team.
“It’s both of them. It’s been about assembling a team that wants to help each other and a management team that gets along with the guys.
“We had a stretch where we lost four games in a row. The way we came out of it demonstrated the character of this squad.
“It wasn’t easy – losing four games in a row was hard to take.”
Martin, like Armstrong, has expressed his satisfaction at the developing sense of unity, and has alluded to how losing four games in a row has been a ‘big benefit.’
Videos of training broadcast almost everyday by Southampton’s media team demonstrate the present good vibe at Staplewood.
According to Martin, players are spending more time together after practice than they were earlier in the season, which he attributes to the Saints’ current run.
Armstrong agreed with his boss and also intimated that the Championship’s tough fixture schedule had helped the players form stronger relationships.
“The gaffer has come in and stated his intentions from the start. We didn’t change when we went through that tough stretch, so the lads have adjusted to it beautifully.
“Kudos to the staff and the lads for getting right to work. In this league, you have a game every two days – we are always together – and that draws us closer.
“In my opinion, the times when we have scored last-minute winners are not coincidental.” Over the course of 90 minutes, you break down teams.
“Finishing them in that manner is entertaining for the fans.” That has to be a tribute to us and the way we play.
“Sometimes teams arrive and simply sit off. We need to figure out how to break them down and obtain the three points, which we’ve been doing successfully.
“It’s been a very good few months for us,” he concluded. Being undefeated for 14 games is impressive in any league.
“It’s something we’re considering. The gaffer and his staff have clearly defined how we want to play.
“Everyone sees it week in and week out.” They know what we’re capable of; all we have to do now is keep going and strive to move as far up the table as we can.”
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