"Goals, hopefully," said Adam Armstrong, without hesitation, when questioned outside St Mary's on Saturday. 

Manager Russell Martin chuckled and added: "If he keeps doing what he is doing I will be happy either way."

That question - is Southampton's number nine going to finish the Championship season with more goals or assists? 

The former England under-21 international has registered a combined 25 in 27 league matches this campaign. 

During Saturday's 4-0 demolition of Sheffield Wednesday, Armstrong made it 14 goals and 11 assists - officially.

It should be 12 he has provided, but the set-up for Che Adams' opener has not been attributed thanks to a touch from an Owls defender. 

Daily Echo: Adam Armstrong was Southampton's key man during their 4-0 win over Sheffield WednesdayAdam Armstrong was Southampton's key man during their 4-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday (Image: Stuart Martin)

Even still, Armstrong has provided seven goals and 10 assists in just 14 appearances since the end of October. 

It is the most prolific run of goalscoring from any Saints player since Danny Ings in the 2019-20 season. 

Armstrong is the first to reach 10 goals and assists in the Championship this season, something only nine players have done in the last five. 

He has some way to go if he is to reach the all-time Championship record for the two combined, admittedly. 

Aleksander Mitrovic registered 49 during the 2021-22 season - six of which were assists - and Ivan Toney hit 42 - 10 assists - in 2020-21.

The Championship's next best since renaming in 2004 has been a combined 41 - by Rickie Lambert en route to promotion.

Daily Echo: Rickie Lambert scored 27 goals and provided 14 assists during 2011-12Rickie Lambert scored 27 goals and provided 14 assists during 2011-12

With Armstrong on 25 and 19 games left to play with, he will be hoping to achieve the same thing Lambert did in his third full season at Saints. 

A further 16 goals and assists in those 19 games will match Lambert's record and be enough to give Saints a proper chance at promotion. 

Lambert registered 19 of the 41 in the last 19 fixtures of 2011-12. Hattricks against Millwall and Watford were his third and fourth.

The Daily Echo posed the target of catching the leaders of such records, and Armstrong smiled back: "I don’t know about that.

“I will keep going and trying to chip in. As long as we win, I will be happy." 

Unique to Armstrong, he is operating off the right despite admitting he wanted to play through the middle this season.

It puts Armstrong in a position to play across the opposition box comfortably on his strong foot - for all three of his set-ups on Saturday.

Daily Echo: Ryan Fraser does not appear in frame until the finish, showing Adam Armstrong's vision for the third goalRyan Fraser does not appear in frame until the finish, showing Adam Armstrong's vision for the third goal (Image: Southampton FC)

When captain Jack Stephens is injured, Martin gives Armstrong the armband - he is not the most vocal but he leads by example. 

Martin shows clips of Armstrong's pressing and recovery runs in team and unit meetings - which the likes of Ross Stewart still sit in on. 

"He is an amazing teammate," Martin explained. "We will never underestimate his performances.

"I love him as a guy - he is humble and understated and does his job for the team.

"He sets off so many of the presses, keeps the team connected, and recovers so many moments.

"Goals and assists are what strikers are judged on but there is so much more to it than that and I am proud of him." 

There can be no question about Armstrong's proficiency in the second tier and he can become a cult hero by firing Saints to promotion.

The question remains over his suitability in the Premier League but Martin will seek to give him the confidence if and when the time comes.