CAPTAIN Adam Armstrong admitted he is proud to wear the Saints shirt in the first place – let alone the armband – as he promised to put Saturday right.

The number nine led the St Mary’s side out to a 5-0 defeat at Sunderland following an injury to full-time skipper Jack Stephens the weekend prior.

Geordie Armstrong’s triumphant return to the northeast was spoiled within seven minutes as Saints were two goals down – and it did not improve.

Speaking to the Daily Echo after the match, Armstrong insisted the players need to take responsibility and produce ahead of Leicester City’s visit next Friday.

He said: “It’s always proud. It’s always proud just putting on the shirt and stepping out there. If I’ve got the armband, I’ve got the armband.

Daily Echo: Southampton's Adam Armstrong during the Championship match between Southampton and QPR at St Mary's Stadium. Photo by Stuart Martin.

“There are lots of leaders in the group and it’s something we need to put it right. Everyone will stick together now and put on a performance when Leicester come.

“It was during the week, I was told I’d be captain. The gaffer pulled us and asked if I wanted to do it. Of course, I want to lead this team.

“I’m gutted that Jack Stephens has got injured because he’s a massive character in the changing room but it’s one of those.

“I was buzzing but we have to go back to that performance, as that wasn’t us and we’re going to have to put it right.”

Armstrong added: “We said in the changing room that it’s not good enough. You need to come to these places and work harder than them.

“You have to earn the respect to have the ball and I just didn’t think we did that at Sunderland. Hopefully, it’s our first and last off day.”

Manager Russell Martin admitted after the match that he still had two players in his squad thinking they would be departing Saints on deadline day.

The Stadium of Light fixture kicked off just 13 hours after the conclusion of the summer window, with Che Adams on the bench amid serious noise on his future.

Despite the disruption, Armstrong insists the players should know the drill, saying: “That’s football.

Daily Echo: Southampton were hammered 5-0 at Sunderland after an unbeaten start to the season

"A lot of the lads have been in the game the long enough to know that it comes with the job.

“But we have to be better, on telly we have to prove to teams why we’re getting promoted and come to Leicester we need to put on a lot better of a performance.

“We just got punished for the mistakes we made on the ball. That’s not us, we can only apologise to the fans for what they’ve seen.

“To lose the ball and not be strong enough throughout the team, reacting badly, it makes it one of them days,” he added.

“We have a break now to reflect. The lads going away on internationals can get their heads down. When they come back, they know we will have to be better.”

Armstrong did also apologise to the supporters who made the 500+ mile round trip to cheer on the team.

They were heard singing ‘Marching in’ in the final minute of the game, with Saints 4-0 down before 16 year old Chris Rigg’s misery compiler.

“I think we have earned that from the start we have had but the fans have been quality. We know it’s not easy from being fans ourselves,” Armstrong said.

“We apologise for that but it’s one where we will reflect on it and have to put it behind us if we want to move forward.”