Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has been left uncertain about the role that Nathan Redmond plays at Southampton.
Writing in his column for The Times, the pundit discussed Saints’ struggles and identified Redmond, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Ryan Bertrand as players who need to step up and support Danny Ings more.
Cascarino believes Southampton’s hopes of survival hinge on the form of their free-scoring striker but urged the senior heads around him to make themselves counted.
The 57-year-old, who singled out Redmond for scrutiny, said:
Southampton’s survival depends on Danny Ings. If he can stay fit and can put together a goalscoring run of form then they might not be relegated.
But at the moment they look lost. When I watch them I think they have so many players with more to give.
Ryan Bertrand, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and look at Nathan Redmond — praised by Pep Guardiola seasons ago, but now I’m not sure what he offers his team.
Their home record is awful, conceding 24 goals — the most in the league — and picking up two wins, that is always a factor in the relegation battle. The pressure is on Ings to save them.
Read Southampton’s verdict
Redmond has been poor this season, but he’s one of many. Hojbjerg, as Cascarino notes, has been hugely underwhelming, and he was particularly dreadful against West Ham at the weekend.
The players need to prove their worth once again, with the burden on Ings to provide goals becoming heavier as the games pass by.
Sofiane Boufal and Stuart Armstrong are good options for Ralph Hasenhuttl to call upon, while Che Adams will have a point to prove after a spell on the sidelines.
Perhaps the boss needs to freshen things up to inspire Southampton in the final third, and also hand the likes of Redmond some time out of the firing line.
