Armstrong: Look how far we've come
Adam Armstrong admitted Southampton were not their usual selves in the defeat to Bristol City, but is keen to put the result into perspective after the club record 25-game unbeaten run came to an end.
The Ashton Gate clash was goalless at the interval, before the hosts struck three second-half goals to take the game away from Saints.
Skipper Armstrong did reply with a stoppage-time penalty, but by then Saints were already consigned to a first defeat since September.
“I think first half we were not ourselves, moving the ball slow,” Armstrong reflected. “We got punished on a couple of occasions – by a set-piece goal, which we’ve been brilliant at all season.
“It was one of those days. I’ve just said before to the lads in the changing room, ‘we’ve got to stick together, because 25 games unbeaten is incredible, no matter what league you’re in. Look at the position we’re in – from those four games when we got beat, look where we are now’. Hopefully it’s [just] a little blip in the road.
“I think we learn every game. Even when we’ve been on that winning streak, we’re learning every game, and that’s how you’ve got to take this league, because the games come thick and fast.
“There’s a game around the corner again, and it gives the guys a chance to bounce back really quick.
“We’re devastated tonight to lose, but look where we are as a club, how far we’ve come. We’re raring to go for the next one.”
Saints are back in action on Friday night in another away game, at fifth-placed West Brom, as attentions immediately turn to starting a new unbeaten run.
“I just said before, ‘everyone wants to beat us’. That’s the position we’ve put ourselves in, 25 games unbeaten – of course everyone wants to stop that. If someone else had 25 games, we would want to stop it,” Armstrong added.
“It’s credit to the lads for coming this far, and obviously the staff and all the fans, everyone sticking together, it’s been really good.
“It’s on ourselves now to go and finish the job, keep working hard day in, day out, and I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
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