Southampton winger Nathan Redmond has spoken out about being booed by some Saints fans earlier this season when he and the team were struggling for form via the Daily Echo, but says he is now ready to bounce back and help the side in their crucial run-in as they look to preserve their Premier League status.

The wide man was a regular in the starting XI in the first-half of the campaign under previous boss Mauricio Pellegrino, but he started to really come under criticism from the St Mary’s faithful towards the end of 2018 for his disappointing displays and lack of goals and assists, before the 24-year-old was dropped from the squad entirely for the FA Cup tie against Watford in January, as well as the top flight fixtures against Brighton and Hove Albion and the Hornets.

However, the England international has started three successive Premier League matches and will now be fighting for his place in the side under new boss Mark Hughes, having impressed the fans with his cameo from the substitutes’ bench in the Welshman’s first match in charge against Wigan Athletic last time out.

Speaking about his difficult period, Redmond told the Daily Echo: “There was a time I remember at Tottenham away getting booed, and a few other times coming on and getting booed.

“I was in a team where we weren’t doing well as a team but I felt that extra bit towards me, whether that’s because I am a player who can do that bit more or should be doing that bit more.

“I am over it now. In terms of motivation I wouldn’t say it has motivated, but it enabled me to sit back and analyse the situation I was in and it was either sink or swim.”

Southampton face a must-win clash against fellow strugglers West Ham United – who they lie one place and two points adrift of in the standings – at the London Stadium on Saturday as they look to pick up just their second Premier League win since November.

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