The perception amongst some Saints fans is that Nathan Redmond was poor against Swansea City, the reality is not quite so straight forward.

Judging by the comments I have seen on the internet in the past 24 hours it would make me think that Nathan Redmond has just had one of the worst performances ever seen in a Saints shirt, but that was not the display watched.

Although it cannot be denied that Redmond missed a couple of chances, his game on Sunday was very much a kind of split personality performance, Redmond the finisher was woeful, Redmond the creator was very good.

As I said Redmond was guilty of a miss or two, but you have to buy a ticket to win the lottery and Redmond had to do the groundwork to make the chances for himself, the frustrating thing was that having done all the hard work on several occasions he loused it all up by not being able to hit the target.

But he did not even have the worst missed chance of the match, that fell to Charlie Austin who slammed the ball against the bar from close range when he really should have scored.

But in all that excitement many forgot who had set up Austin with a good little run ending with a pin point cross rolled across the box that meant that Austin couldn't miss, well at least until he did.

That was the story of the game for Redmond, a lot of good work by him was undone by the failure of his team mates to finish the job.

That meant that Redmond couldn't win and many went home thinking he had played badly when in essence he had played two games.

The main part of his game as a creator he was a solid 8/10, he worked hard, won the ball and created openings for himself and team mates, the second part of the game as a finisher was less impressive and more of a 6/10, but it should be noted that he never hid, never gave up trying and was never scared to take on his man or have a shot.

Perhaps his biggest crime in many peoples eyes is to be seen as Claude Puel's man, it is the manager who has touted him for a change of position as a striker and that is not the players fault, those that seem to have it in for Puel because he isn't a personality or an extrovert, seem to want to tar Redmond with the same brush.

Ironically two years ago when Sadio Mane first arrived he was faced with the same abuse that Redmond is getting now, he didn't score till his fourth League game and it was his 12th game before he got a second.

Likewise last season Mane didn't score till his 7th League game and although he scored 3 in the next 4, he was stuck on 4 goals for 5 months and god knows how many games, indeed Redmond had more goals than Mane for a struggling Norwich side right up till the final few weeks of the season.

That shows that Redmond should be given time, those that say we lack a goalscorer have conveniently forgot that take out the last month of both of his seasons at St Mary's and Mane's goal scoring record was woeful, so Redmond has not got to do a lot to beat that.

So it was a game of two performances for Redmond, but let'snot let the fact that he missed a chance or two get in the way of viewing his performance overall and that was not half as bad as some would have you believe.

Photo: Action Images

saintandy11 added 17:09 - Sep 19 I really can't get my head around some of our fans attitude towards some of our players. they are happy to rip into Targett, JWP, Cedric and now Redmond yet moan about the sale of a player who only turned up at the start and end of last season and another who seemed to get himself deliberately sent off to force through the transfer he thought should have happened last season. Yes Redmond missed two sitters (but as pointed out so did Austin) but he is a work in progress and needs time. As for chanting Austins name just after Redmonds miss!!!! how is that going to help his confidence. It really baffles me how some give their all but are given the dogs abuse yet others like Guly are treated like gods.

-1

richardmdcooper added 17:11 - Sep 19 I think Redmond will prove to be a great signing and has potential to be better than Mane
1

Saintpots added 17:19 - Sep 19 I have to say I thought he was excellent the whole (ok apart from a shocking miss or two) game- energetic, effective and well up for it.
0

saintcrt added 17:25 - Sep 19 Agree with your comments I found myself cursing him one minute and raving about him the next. Finishing is not only his problem is seems to be a team thing at the moment. On the whole I've got a realy good feeling about the way Saints are going.
0

pintsizedsaint added 17:29 - Sep 19 I'll repeat what I said on the comments board for the Swansea game: Redmond is a talent, but his time at other clubs has not brought on his development in key areas. At Norwich he was always seen as a traditional winger and I suspect didn't get much targeted training on finishing etc. Puel was impressed. Before then, so was SFC's Black Box! For Puel to place so much faith in him (when his own reputation at Saints is still in its infancy) must mean he really, really rates him. I must admit, when I watch him I think, with the right support, he's going to be a huge prospect. With him and Long in your team (once Long's been rested, I reckon he could do with break given he hasn't really had one due to the Euros) will terrify most defences. Give them both a bit of time to bed in and I think this could be a great season!

0

arthurfane added 18:23 - Sep 19 Agree with the sentiment of this article entirely Nick. Redmond the creator was superb (although all to often his cut-backs are a little predictable, I'd love him to use his pace to continue his breaks at speed a little more often!) Firmly believe in him and think we have a real gem of a player in the team. His finishing though was woeful - 6/10 is very very generous. I think the one from Tadic's centre was actually worse than Austin's (it was literally from a standstill...) Again, in this instance, he did well to get in the position, and to cut back, but that was an appalling attempt at a finish. I'm sure he has a finish in him, but yesterday was exasperating at times.

0

Zambucco added 18:25 - Sep 19 almost the same scenario that greeted Shane Long, he was being judged on his lack of goals, and his work rate and massive contribution were completely overlooked. Yet once he settled in and started bringing them in, he suddenly became the local hero and best £12m ever spent.
2

abingdonsaint added 18:31 - Sep 19 For what it's worth, Danny Murphy on MOTD2 last night thought he was easily MOM! Opinions eh.....
0

deanosfc8 added 18:34 - Sep 19 For what its worth I think Redmond would be a great impact player, bring him on with 20mins left he could terrorize a tiring defence . I would change Boufal for Clasie when fit & Austin for Redmond.
5

EDLiner added 19:08 - Sep 19 I admit I thew my programme to the ground and let out a primal scream when Nathan Redmond missed his sitter. My blood was boiling and I would at that point have subbed him. For the first 35 mins he ran not into space but behind the midfielders and was not in any position to receive the ball. His positioning was woeful. Cedric kept getting near and there was no outlet but back again. I am not sure if someone on the pitch had a word or Puel got his message through but suddenly he changed. It is so easy to say he is the worst player etc etc. The boy has talent. He is a bit weak in stature and can get bullied but he has pace to spare and when he moves into space and runs beyond the defence he creates chances. It was a performance of 2 halves. first 35 mins 2/10 the rest of the game 8/10. If people want a scapegoat in that game look at Clasie who was terrible. I will continue to cuss and grumble about Redmond but if he gives it all in the whole match then he will soon be a menace to defences and scoring goals.

4

EDLiner added 19:10 - Sep 19 As for Danny Murphy he was told to say that by people who watched the highlights.
-2

Archersclose added 19:27 - Sep 19 It is not Redmonds fault that Puel see's him as a striker. I can see him being an exciting player for us but as a creator. I just cannot see him as an out and out striker. We need another No9 type striker in the squad as far as I am concerned and we should have signed one during the last window. I see that Jayrod has already picked up another injury. I hope its nothing serious.

3

SonicBoom added 21:23 - Sep 19 So is nick saying that as a provider creator type he was very good but as a striker he wasn't? Hmmmm?
1

saintwizzler added 22:15 - Sep 19 He seems to want to thrash every shot into the net. Maybe he'll learn you don't have to break the net to score. Good talent who can only get better. 😇
2

legineloc added 06:38 - Sep 20 He was hardly used at Norwich & when he was it was as a winger, I think as time goes by he will get settled into the more central role & finishing more reliable, even though he missed those sitters it didn't get him & kept trying
0

GeordieSaint added 07:26 - Sep 20 If he had stuck that one in the top corner we would have all been comparing him to Henry!
0

BaselSaint added 12:34 - Sep 20 I confess that at the time all I saw was that miss. MOTD did well to highlight the rest and give him MOTM. Hope that makes the lad feel better.
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Leicester City Polls