SAINTS forward Adam Armstrong has called on himself and his teammates to find “consistency” ahead of the World Cup break this year.

The Premier League returns with what Everton manager Frank Lampard has billed a ‘mini-league’ before play stops in November.

Saints have eight Premier League fixtures in six weeks before the Qatar tournament kicks off and pauses the domestic schedule until Boxing Day.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have picked up seven points from their open seven matches but have won just twice, drawing one and losing the rest.

Armstrong – who scored his first Premier League goal on his Saints debut at Goodison Park – relayed the importance of having a settled run.

"I think consistency is the biggest thing for every team,” the 25-year-old former Newcastle United man said.

“I found it in the Championship, it is a different level, but you go into every game thinking you can win but it doesn't always work out that way.

"You go into some games thinking you will beat this team and it doesn't happen. That's just football. But if we can get a run of consistency in these next few games, it will stand us in good stead to keep pushing on.”

The number nine added: “I think the next games are key before the break, you don't want to have four weeks off without a game off the back of some defeats.

“You want to end on a good run and some good performances to take into that spell.”

Saints welcome Everton to St Mary’s on Saturday, October 1, knowing it is a tough trip to Man City’s Etihad Stadium next time out.

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