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Redmond Cleans Up At The Player Of The Year Awards
Wednesday, 8th May 2019 09:09

A year ago Nathan Redmond's Saints career looked to be nearing it's end, how things have changed in 12 months as he dominated the club's player of the year awards evening.

This time last year Nathan Redmond had perhaps endured the worst season of his career, he had started only 22 of 38 Premier League games and although he had played another 9 off the bench, he was under fire from the fans and there seemed to be no real future for him at St Mary's .

The one bright spot for him was his solitary goal of the season when he came off the bench at Goodison Park and scored his solitary goal of the season, although as we know it didn't quite win the game it was vital in giving Saints impetus to go into a do or die game at Swansea a few days later.

But for Redmond the celebrations for staying up wee probably muted, he was probably joined by both James Ward Prowse and Shane Long two others sat with him on that bench on Merseyside who thought their St Mary's career's had just about run their course but have thrived this season.

It would have been easy for Redmond to have got on the phone to his agent and leave the club, his confidence was in tatters and he was and even when playing well had never been the flavour of the month with that section of the Saints support that always has to have a scapegoat.

But he didn't do that whether Mark Hughes had any part in Redmond's revival we perhaps shall never know, but it seems the player sat down took a long hard look at himself and decided that he was not going to throw away his career without giving it a go.

Although Ralph Hasenhuttl has made a big difference to his play, the truth is that Nathan Redmond came back at the start of this season a different man, his attitude had changed, he was no longer afraid, he played his natural game and didn't worry if he made the odd poor pass or missed the target, it was as if we had signed a new player.

That has now been recognised and he picked up the awards for player of the season both from his team mates who voted him players player of the year but most importantly of all, the supporters where he was voted the Virgin Media Fans’ Player of the Season.

A delighted Redmond said at the awards ceremony at St Mary's last night:

"I know I've not been the easiest to watch in the last couple of years, but the boys in the dressing room, the manager and the coaching staff have enabled me to play with confidence and affect games in a positive way."

Manager Ralph Hasenhüttl added:

"I think Reddy is one of the guys who has improved and he knows he can be the special one to make a difference in games. I see the passion in his eyes and that's exactly what we need to make the next step."

Elsewhere, First-Team Young Player of the Year went to Yan Valery, having established himself as a regular starter under Hasenhuttl in his maiden campaign, who also picked up Goal of the Season for his memorable long-range strike that flew in at Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Terry Paine’s President’s Choice Award, honouring a standout team player who has made great strides in his own game, went to James Ward-Prowse, whose energy and goalscoring prowess from midfield earned the 24-year-old an England recall.

Academy Player of the Year went to Will Ferry, who has contributed heavily at both Under-18 and Under-23 level in a season when five Staplewood graduates earned first-team debuts, thus showing that the youth system at Southampton is far from failing.

18 year old Ferry who joined the academy from Bury for a six figure fee in the summer of 2017 is perhaps one of several in the academy ranks who will be looking to emulate the five who made their debuts this term.

The achievements of Southampton FC Women, who enjoyed a perfect league season en route to promotion from the Southern Region Premier Division, were celebrated as Shannon Sievwright won Women’s Player of the Year, while Caitlin Smith picked up the Girls’ Regional Talent Club Player of the Year accolade.

Photo: Action Images



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Colburn added 10:06 - May 8
Special mention for Hojbjerg, alongside Redmond, he has been our most important man on the pitch for me this season. Led by example and involved in so many important goals as well as his energy and spirit. We would have been nowhere without him. Well done to Redmond though, starting to show what he can do and Valery fully deserves his awards. My favourite goal though, was Matt Targetts, never seen a guy so over the moon in post match interview, almost brought a tear to the eye, secured our safety and a goal carved by our academy graduates, with the assist from young Valery. Well done this year Nick, I don't always agree with you but you're usually proved right! Thanks and keep up the good work which I'm sure can be a ballache sometimes..
6

SonicBoom added 10:16 - May 8
I have to be honest. Redmond has improved no doubt.
But the fact he is player of the year merely shows me what a lack of quality we currently have.
He's a reasonable PL footballer but no more than that. For every good thing he does, it's followed by a poor pass. For every trick he pulls off he then shoots every the bar.
He probably has been the player of the year but I honestly think he'd struggle to get in most of our teams in recent history.
-2

A1079 added 12:23 - May 8
I voted for Redmond but only just. I am with Sonicboom on this. He was just about the best of a fairly average bunch. Redmond edged it for me because he had done better than previously and had been the most consistent overall, not missed too many games, etc, but I could equally have gone for Hojberg or JWP on the same basis. There hasn't really been one outstanding player.
3

SaintBrock added 13:28 - May 8
More or less agree that on balance Redmond just about deserved it but very much on the basis that just about every player left more than a little to be desired in their performances levels all season. Best of a bad bunch seems fair to me.
1

SaintBrock added 13:30 - May 8
I did agree with Will Ferry's award he seems to be an amazing prospect.
1

SaintBlonde added 20:11 - May 8
Unbelievable
0

no7saint added 22:21 - May 8
I don't share the sentiments expressed here, I've felt Redmond was consistently our biggest threat this season. The fact that the team under achieved shouldn't diminish the fact he's matured as a player. He's been our main creative threat this season and having just turned 25, he's coming into his prime.

Ralph clearly believes in him so let's get behind him!
2

schatfield added 02:12 - May 9
Some of the comments above....jeez. Who would be a saints players with fans like this.
He has been a great player since a proper manager took charge and I am sure half the other teams in the league would love to have him in their squad.
2

SaintBrock added 12:20 - May 9
What did people think of the ceremony itself. Having watched the video who in hell put that idiot up front as the announcer and m/c? Just plain embarrassing for all concerned.Totally ignored the VIPs from main sponsors not even saying who they were or asking them anything about their thoughts as sponsors. How to win friend and influence people!

For the large part the guy looked like a rabbit caught in headlamps. To cap it all he got wrong the name of the woman who organised the event when asking her to come up and collect a bunch of flowers (and how insulting and sexist was that?).

I know its easy to criticise but from outside the whole evening looked a bit amateur-ish and a shambles and of course the m/c should carry the can for that but if any of you went along would be glad to hear your opinions.

Where were the Board members and owners, were they there as no sign of anybody of import
1


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