Stuart Armstrong insists the “worst thing” Saints can do is lose their positivity and belief as he attempts to reassure supporters that it is still early in the season. Some supporters fear the only way is down for the St Mary’s side despite the Jones appointment coming early enough in the season for change, but Armstrong insists the players cannot think that or else.
Stuart Armstrong said: “The Premier League is the hardest league in the world and it’s definitely not easy, I’ve seen a lot of things now in my fifth season. I’ve seen ups and downs and to lose our belief and positivity is the worst thing we can do. We know we are a capable group and it’s all about gelling together, especially in the tough times. I think we still have 20 or so more games to go so it’s early days and we have to remain calm. It’s so early in the season and as I have said before, in the next fixtures we’re playing teams all around us and there is big points available.”
Armstrong himself was only used as a second-half substitute for the defeat to Brighton in the return of league action following the World Cup, after missing a day of training due to a knock in the build-up. The 30-year-old’s influence had been waning under former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl already, now having started just 7 of the 16 league games this campaign. Saints are only two points off Everton in safety and face the likes of Nottingham Forest and the Toffees in January, but three wins this season and only a further one since February do not inspire confidence.
Stuart Armstrong said: “I think with a change of manager you always need time and things are not going to change overnight. We have a lot of time to work on things. We had the Cup game but the Premier League is a different pot altogether. It’s not how we wanted to start back up our campaign and I think having games sooner rather than later after this poor performance is always better.”
Armstrong insists they are not looking at the league table,
Stuart Armstrong added: “I think the league table is for the outside. I think inside it’s a process and it’s game by game. It always has been and it always will be – we can’t get caught up in it. It’s a transient game football and it’s quite turbulent at times. We know if we can improve our performances which start in training then ultimately that will lead to points. So that’s where we start and hopefully we get the outcomes we want.”
