Nathan Redmond wants to put last season’s shortcomings behind him and establish himself as a pivotal part of Southampton’s first-team.
The winger spoke to the club’s official website following Saints’ disappointing 2-1 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday and discussed his aims and ambitions for the rest of the season.
Redmond admitted that he struggled to influence proceedings throughout last season but highlighted his determination to prove himself under Mark Hughes.
I want to be the player I know I can be and what a lot of people expect me to be. I’ve said it to various people before – I want to contribute to the team and make sure we’re in our rightful position, playing great football, entertaining the fans and pushing for those top ten to top six places.
Last season was one of the worst I’ve ever experienced, personally, in terms of how I was playing and how stuff was going behind the scenes. I can’t dwell on that. It’s all down to how I react and how I respond.
The one-time England international, who joined Southampton from Norwich in the summer of 2016, has started in both of the Saints’ first two games of the season against Burnley and Everton respectively.
Redmond also alluded to the hard work he has been putting in ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, along with the extensive conversations he has had with Southampton’s coaching staff.
I’ve sat down with the manager – we’ve had several conversations throughout pre-season – and I said I’ve been away and training by myself to be ready for this season.
Luckily, since the manager came in for the last games of last season, I’ve had several conversations with him, Mark Bowen and Eddie (Niedzwiecki), just reiterating the key points I can bring to this team, added to the hard work for the team defensively as well.
Southampton have picked up one point from their first two outings and will be looking to secure their first win of the season when they welcome Leicester City to St Mary’s next weekend.
