FORWARD Adam Armstrong insisted Southampton’s Premier League season will be defined by how they “deal with the downs.”
Saints are back in the top flight having won the Championship play-offs last season thanks to Armstrong’s winner at Wembley.
The 27 year old is “buzzing” to be back in the big time but did not shy away from admitting it is going to be a “difficult” season.
Saints start their campaign with a tricky trip to Armstrong’s boyhood club Newcastle United this afternoon.
Speaking to the Daily Echo ahead of the opening game, Armstrong said: “I’m buzzing, this is something I’ve been looking forward to since the fixtures come out.
Adam Armstrong heads into the Premier League season off the back of a fantastic year in the Championship.
— George Rees-Julian (@rees_julian) August 16, 2024
I've looked at the stats which suggest he's better prepared to make the step up to the Premier League this time around.#SaintsFChttps://t.co/RI2JeqtMBZ
“Playing in the Premier League gives you a buzz - and I’m sure it does as a fan as well.
“Pre-season has gone well and everyone is looking forward to the first game. We have to take confidence from last season and build on it.
“We need to get better each week. We know it’s going to be tough. There will be moments of ups and downs.
“The main thing is that we stick together. You can see on everyones face that they are buzzing.
“The lads are raring to go. It’s going to be a challenge. It’s going to be about how we deal with the downs. Hopefully, we can have a good season and start well.”
Saints boss Russell Martin is set for his first game as a Premier League manager and Armstrong believes he deserves his chance to face the best.
Russell Martin will take charge of his first Premier League game today (Image: PA)
Southampton also have a number of players, like Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Yukinari Sugawara, who are preparing for their first Premier League campaigns.
Armstrong thinks that any nerves players may be feeling ahead of the new season can be used positively.
“The gaffer’s aim was to get promoted. As last season went on we said ‘Let’s do it for ourselves, but let’s do it for the gaffer as well,’” he added.
“Managing in the Premier League is the pinnacle for a manager. You’ve seen what we have done under this manager.
“We’ve got results against tough teams and that Wembley win was the best day of our lives in football. I’m sure everyone is excited. I’m sure the gaffer can’t wait to get going.
He added: “There’s going to be lads making their Premier League debuts or who haven’t really experienced it before.
“If there are nerves they are positive nerves. We have positive energy. I always think nerves are a good thing because you can play them off on the pitch.
“It’s exciting. We deserve to be in the Premier League off the back of what we did last year. If we can carry on what we did last season it would be immense. We are all looking forward to it.”
Adam Armstrong came through at Newcastle United (Image: PA)
This is the sixth time Armstrong has returned to St James’ Park as an opposition player since he left Newcastle in 2018.
Martin joked that the former Blackburn forward’s biggest concern this afternoon will be checking where his dad is sat.
“It’s going to be good,” Armstrong confessed. “I’ve been back a few times now. It’s still exciting but it’s not the same as it was the first time I played back there.
“There will be family and friends supporting us during the game. It’s nice to go back up there and see some familiar faces.
“It’s about how we deal with it. Playing in front of 52,000 Geordies is tough, as you saw in the Carabao Cup in the semi-final.”