Southampton were held to a goalless draw away at Blackburn Rovers on the weekend, leaving their aspirations of automatic promotion all but over.
Russell Martin‘s side dominated the ball for much of the encounter but they lacked a real cutting edge in the final third.
The South Coasters reside in fourth, 12 points adrift of second-placed Ipswich Town, albeit with two games in hand.
Even if they were to win those, they’d still have to surmount a six-point gap, which is pretty unlikely at this stage of the season with games running out.
Had they won yesterday, with Ipswich and Leeds United both losing, perhaps they would’ve stood a slim chance of making up the points.
But their attacking threat just wasn’t there and one Saints player had a particularly poor afternoon, as concerning statistics emerge.
Adam Armstrong had a nightmare afternoon v Blackburn Rovers
Adam Armstrong has been so deadly in front of goal this season and is the second top scorer in the division with 20 goals.
But, for whatever reason, against his former club, he faltered and missed a big chance in the first half, which on any other day would’ve been confidently put away.
The former Rovers forward had just 29 touches of the ball throughout his 75 minutes on the pitch, which was 32 fewer than goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, remarkably.
Further, Armstrong, who received a four-match rating, had just one shot all game and won only 50 per cent of his duels, according to Sofascore.
It was certainly an afternoon to forget for the 27-year-old on his return to Ewood Park and one that he’ll have to move on from quickly.
Southampton need Adam Armstrong to find momentum
With a top-two finish unlikely, a play-off campaign looks like the only route back to the Premier League for Southampton this season.
Saints reside 12 points clear of seventh-placed Coventry City, having played a game fewer, so their top-six place is pretty much all but confirmed.
With that said, the remaining seven games are almost meaningless in a sense, though, that notion can’t creep into the minds of players.
They’ll need plenty of momentum heading into the play-offs and, ideally, a goalscoring run from Armstrong.
Martin’s side simply can’t afford to go into them with confidence dented, he’ll need to get his side back firing again.
With a home clash against Coventry City fast approaching on Tuesday evening, Armstrong must right the wrongs of Saturday.