Southampton man still annoyed at Martin for being benched vs Millwall

The 27 year old now has 17 goals and 11 assists this season after his strike in the 4-3 win at Birmingham City on Saturday. 

Armstrong started on the bench during Southampton's recent loss to Millwall at St Mary's - while he was also a sub at Liverpool in the FA Cup.

The 2-1 defeat to Millwall was the first time Armstrong, who captains in the absence of Jack Stephens, had not started a league fixture this term.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Martin said: "I am still annoyed at myself for taking him out of the team.

Russell Martin spoke to press ahead of the visit from Preston (Image: PA)

"I think we are a better team with him in it. With hindsight, I shouldn't have but we felt there was validation for him needing a rest.

"We thought we would be okay without him and we weren't so it's testament to how good he has been. 

"There are decisions you make during a season that make you kick yourself," the boss added. 

"The guys at the weekend said I need to take some credit for the subs at the weekend because I'm critical of myself for things that don't work.

"But things that go wrong always hurt you and you think you could have done more detail or should not have made a change. 

"After the game at West Brom, we made a change to the team that I am still furious about and it's my fault - nobody else's. 

"Do I think Arma coming out of the team has anything to do with his performance and maybe a bit of freshness - probably not.

"I think he is probably still p*ssed off at me and wants to prove me wrong again. That is the feeling I get.

Adam Armstrong is Southampton's top league scorer since Danny Ings in 2019-20 (Image: PA)

"We have immense trust in each other but I know he is annoyed at me for taking him out the team and he should be.

"He ignored me for about 10 minutes on Saturday - I had to scream across the pitch that I know you're annoyed but I love you and I am trying to help you.

"Ethan Laird smiled at me because played under me and knows I am a bit strange or different, Arma wouldn't look at me. 

"After the game, he was smiling again - he will stay in the team and hopefully he keeps doing what he has been doing." 

Armstrong was just a third of a frightening front three that all registered goals at St Andrew's last week. 

Che Adams and David Brooks recorded their 10th and second league notches respectively to put Saints ahead for the first time in the game. 

Martin added: "I am delighted with each of them, I thought Arma was brilliant - so involved. 

"The role Che played as well can't be understated. Coming and taking the ball, linking the play. 

Che Adams celebrates hitting double figures for the first time in his Saints career (Image: PA)

"He's involved three times in the build-up of the first goal and he is really important to how we want to play. 

"It's not always going to come off but he took the ball everywhere and really deserves his goal - he was brilliant."

He continued: "We spoke ahead of January about what we needed and it was Brooksy, and we were really concerned about not getting him. 

"At that point, we thought that if we didn't get Brooksy then we would just have to work it out because he was the one we wanted. 

"He is a great character with so much quality, I joined in training the day after Liverpool and playing with him was so enjoyable.

"He wouldn't say the same about playing with me. He also doesn't score on Saturday if Will Smallbone doesn't run relentlessly for him."

Armstrong, Brooks and Adams could all keep their places for the visit of Preston North End on Wednesday, March 6 (7:45pm).