BY his own admission, Southampton's Adam Armstrong isn't the conventional football leader.

The Geordie forward isn't one to bark instructions at his teammate. Instead, he prefers to encourage his teammates and lead by example on the pitch.

“I like to think that I help the lads out as much as I can," he told the Daily Echo. "I’m not the one who likes to scream and shout on the pitch.

“I like to do my talking first before I can shout at anyone else.”

The 26 year old has worn the skipper's armband in the absence of club captain Jack Stephens as Saints have mounted a 14-game unbeaten run.

With Stephens now back to full fitness, Armstrong's time as captain on matchdays could soon come to an end.

Upon the defender's return against Blackburn Rovers, Armstrong was seen immediately handing the armband over to his teammate.

However, he doesn't believe his job within the team will alter even though he may no longer be donning the armband.

“My role isn’t going to change at all (now that Stephens is back.) I’ll still be myself every day and we will help each other.

"Stevo helps me, I’ve learned a lot from him in the last few months. It’s been an honour to take the armband from him.”

Earlier this season, Martin called for more Saints players to step up as leaders.

Named among his list of players who have the potential to add 'more voice to the dressing room and be leaders' were Armstrong, Jan Bednarek and Che Adams.

Bednarek has since been commended by Martin for being Southampton's "boss on the pitch" while Armstrong is always a figure of post-match praise.

In Armstrong's view, it hasn't only been the senior pros within the group that have risen to Martin's challenge.

“Everyone has stepped up, even the young boys have come out of their shells a lot," he continued.

Daily Echo: Southampton 4-0 Blackburn Rovers

“You can see that on the pitch and off it. The togetherness we have at the minute is incredible. To go 14 games unbeaten shows the squad that we have got."

Asked why more players have showcased leadership traits when compared to last season, Armstrong revealed it’s due to a combination of winning games and the work done by Martin and his staff.

“It’s both. It’s been about getting a squad that wants to work for each other and a management staff that gets along with the lads.

"We went through that spell where we lost four games in a row. How we have come out of that has shown the character of this group.

"It wasn’t easy - losing four games in a row was hard to take."

Martin has also expressed his delight towards the growing feeling of togetherness, and, like Armstrong, has eluded to how losing four games on the spin has been a 'huge help.'

Videos of training shared by Southampton's media team on an almost daily basis showcase the positive feeling at Staplewood currently.

According to Martin, players are spending more time together after training than they were during the earlier stages of the season - something he credited Saints current run to.

Armstrong was in agreement with his boss and also hinted that the Championship's relentless fixture schedule has also fostered deeper bonds within the squad. 

“The gaffer has come in and laid down how he wants to play from the start. The lads have taken to that brilliantly, we didn’t change when we went through that bad spell.

“Credit to the staff and the lads for getting on with it. In this league you’ve got a game basically every two days - we are always together - that brings the togetherness.

“The times when we have scored last-minute winners are no coincidence in my opinion. You break teams down over the 90 minutes together.

Daily Echo: Southampton 4-0 Blackburn Rovers

"To finish them off in that style is entertaining for the fans. That’s got to be a credit to us and the way we are playing.

“Sometimes teams come and just sit off. We have to find ways to break them down and get the three points - which we have been doing well.

He continued: "It’s been a very good last few months for us. Being 14 games unbeaten is incredible no matter what league you are in.

“It’s something we are taking on board. The gaffer and his staff have put a real marker down of how we want to play.

“Everyone is seeing that week in and week out. They know what we are capable of - we just have to keep going and try to get up the table as much as we can."