As Southampton come out the gates with only one point through three matches. Nathan Redmond offers encouraging signs for the rest of the season.
Through three league matches, Redmond has shown improvements in his play and possibly a new-found confidence that is encouraging to see. Tuesday saw Redmond assist the match-winning goal in the cup with a nicely-placed cross to Charlie Austin in the 88th minute, for any Saints fan, this is positive news that could lead to positive results not only this season but for the future as well.
During his tenure with Southampton, supporters have seen moments of brilliance from the promising, young winger and had all the reason in the world to think he would pan out as a great player. Redmond is excellent on the ball and likes to go right at defenders. On his day can get past any defender and make his way towards the net where he either takes on a shot or squares it to a teammate.
His first season, 2016/17, was widely considered a success as he netted seven goals and collected one assist. The early success set expectations for the 17/18 season high as Saints fan expected improvements on the numbers Redmond posted his first season.
Sadly, last season was a bit of a disappointment. Redmond struggled in almost all facets of the game and at one point led the Premier League in most shots without a goal. He only scored once in 22 appearances with three assists. There was a clear drop in confidence and he was a shell of the player he once was.
Fans have voiced their displeasure with the winger and he has even publicly stated he wants to return to the player we all know and so far this season has positive signs and the trend is in the right direction.
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The sample size may be small but Redmond’s play has been positive this season and could foreshadow what to expect from the 24-year-old winger for the remaining 35 league matches. Not only does he simply look better on the pitch but statistically his numbers have improved over last season.
The first area to highlight has been his passing. Redmond’s average number of passes per match has risen to 33 from a lowly 25.8. While his pass completion percentage has also risen to 79.8 from 76.7 last season (stats according to WhoScored.com).
When Redmond is passing effectively and getting the ball forward the dynamic of Southampton’s attack changes drastically. Redmond and Ryan Bertrand down the left-side has the potential to be Southampton’s best goal threat. As the two players complement each other very well and seem to have grown their chemistry to a point where they generally know what the other will do at any given time.
Not only is his passing improved so has his on-ball play. Improving his dribbles per match from 1.8 to 2.3 and raising his shots per match from 1.4 to 2.0. These may be the most encouraging numbers of all because Southampton fans have been yearning to see the creative force they know he can be.
If the numbers stay at this level it will only be a matter of time before Redmond breaks onto the score-sheet this season and hopefully is a regular there.
At his best, Redmond creates for both himself and his teammates and can be a valuable asset to a team that struggles to score. It opens the game up for everyone else on the pitch when he is able to terrorize right backs in the final third of the pitch and draws help from other defenders which allows other attacking players to move unmarked.
With strikers having struggled for goals the past number of seasons a threat coming from the flank in the shape of Redmond would be a fresh of breath air and good for everyone. Especially the stress levels of all Saints fans.