Armstrong, 28, insisted that "working your balls off" has to be drilled into the squad, and feels their form will turn once they start doing that.

Saints have already lost five times in the Championship this season, leaving them one place above the relegation zone after 13 games, a start which cost Will Still his job.

Armstrong, Southampton's top scorer so far with four goals, insisted that giving everything for the fans is the bare minimum requirement from players.

Asked before Still was sacked about the work rate of Southampton's players, he explained: "Not a single one of us goes out there and says, 'I'm not trying today'.

Southampton v Preston North End in the Championship Match at St Mary’s Stadium. Preston score their second goal. (Image: Stuart Martin)

"That's our job. This is what we get paid to do. We have to perform on the pitch. If we're not performing, we have to give 100 per cent work rate.

"At the minute, we haven't been doing that. That's the kind of thing we have to drill into the squad. If we're not going to...