Saturday 17 March 2018 23:06, UK
Mark Hughes thinks the form of Nathan Redmond could determine whether he leads Southampton to survival.
Twelve months have passed since the finest form of Redmond's career led to him making his senior England debut, but this season under Mauricio Pellegrino he consistently struggled amid the club's plight.
The 24-year-old has gone from being one of the club's most influential players to a peripheral figure, but Pellegrino's dismissal and Hughes' appointment as Southampton's new manager represents a fresh start.
After Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final at Wigan, Hughes has only eight Premier League fixtures with which to secure Premier League survival, and it is Redmond he believes capable of easing their struggles in front of goal.
"He's a creative player: we need to score goals and create chances," said Hughes. "We need him functioning and playing at the best of his ability. It's up to us to make sure we bring out the best in him.
"It's about understanding where players feel problems lie. Sometimes the players' view is totally insular: it's a bit like they are in their own bubble and you have to understand that. Sometimes there is a bigger picture but players clearly will think about their own situation.
"It's about me having one-to-ones, sitting down with these guys, having an understanding of where they are coming from. Why certain players struggled at different times in the season.
"As a consequence, I will get the information that will hopefully allow them to perform better. Nathan has been very positive: I've had a good insight already."
