Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong admits he has experienced a tough season.

The Scottish international came to the defense of manager Ruben Selles, with the team all but certain to get relegated.

While Armstrong is disappointed at how the campaign has unfolded, he believes most of the blame does not lie with Selles.

“I don't think it's fair to say that," he responded to suggestions from reporters that players seemed annoyed at Selles during games.

“It's tough.

“A few years ago that was a statistic that we did very well in the first 45 to 60 minutes but in that last third we couldn't quite hang onto it and gave points away so there's definitely a case of that today."

“It's a tough job for Ruben to come into, it's been an unusual season with a lot of change in the club," Armstrong added.

“But bringing it back to the weekend, the first 45 minutes were very good and we tried to hang on but Newcastle are a quality side chasing Champions League football and we didn't quite have enough at a very important time of the season."