Mo Elyounoussi has spoken of how he is determined to be a success at St Mary's and it won't be for lack of trying if he doesn't succeed.
So far Mo Elyounoussi has not been value for money after his £20 million pound move last summer and it is clear he has struggled to meet the demands of the Premier League, however he is not going to give up his chance at St Mary's without a fight.
When asked about his St Mary's career so far and whether he will be leaving in the summer as a failure he said:
"It’s not a topic for me at all. I’ll stand here, I’ll show what I can do, I’ll turn this around,”
"I choose to look at this as a challenge. At some point I had to get a drop. I’ve never been injured earlier in my career, in Southampton I have experienced several injuries,”
"They see that I have skills and am important player for the club. But I need more time to develop and take the physical level required in the Premier League.”
"But I have to try to find positive things every day, thinking that I can grow on the adversity, and fight my way back into the team. I’m quite honest when I say it’s like that.”
Most fans might be scathing in their criticism of the player at the moment, but it is good to see he is not giving up and is hopeful that he might yet play a part in this season.
So far perhaps his season could be compared to Manolo Gabbiadini's last term, the Italian was finding it difficult to get in the team at Saints for most of the season due not only to the physical demands of the Premier League but the style the team was playing.
That resulted in him only scoring twice in the final 2/3's of the season, but those two goals were vital.
There is no doubt that Elyounoussi has talent and can make thngs happen, you can see that in his play, but so far he has not sparkled, part of that is as he has admitted due to adapting to the physical side of the Premier League, but there is also the fact that for much of his time here he is not playing with a forward who can get on to his crosses and through balls and convert them into goals.
Some are quick to criticise the likes of Shane Long and Charlie Austin, but don't allow Elyounoussi any leeway for their failure to score on a more regular basis.
I hope that Elyounoussi succeeds as that means that he will have contributed to this season, like Gabbiadini if he can put in a couple of performances that win us points and keep us out of the relegation zone then he will have gone some way to repaying his fee.
I want him to succeed I take no pleasure in his failing, nor see it as a chance for a cheap shot, I will support him on the pitch as that is the only way he can prosper, if he does then it will help our cause.
Perhaps he will not achieve his goals at St Mary's but it won't be for lack of trying, for that he deserves the backing of the fans, if he does succeed he won't be the first to redeem himself at this club after a poor start, I daresay he won't be the last.