Southampton outcast who ‘was rubbish’ last season is looking for fresh start under Will Still

Add as preferred source on Google

Southampton have not set the world alight with their start to the new Championship season under Will Still; however, they have secured four points from a possible six in their opening two fixtures.

Will Still was appointed the new boss of Southampton after a disastrous campaign in the Premier League last season, as they almost broke the record for the lowest tally ever in the division; however, they did manage to get more points than Derby did in 2008.

Southampton have seen several faces leave the club while others have joined the club, with the likes of Aaron Ramsdale having departed for Newcastle United on loan.

Meanwhile, for some players a fresh start under Still is exactly what they needed on the south coast as they look to put the last campaign behind them.

• READ MORE: Valerien Ismael believes Blackburn Rovers have to be ‘creative’ with this next piece of transfer business

Ryan Fraser looking for a fresh start under Will Still

Ryan Fraser has had his first pre-season in three years, and he believes he is feeling the positives from that, having started positively this season for Southampton.

The experienced winger was part of the Southampton squad last season that were so disappointing in the Premier League; however, speaking to the Southern Daily Echo, he spoke about how Still has changed things around the club.

He said: “It was tough last season; it was tough for everyone. It was probably one of the hardest moments in my career.

“At the same time, the new manager has come in and shown his faith in me. I’ve played in eight or nine positions for him already.

“I think that shows that he trusts me, so I’ll just keep doing what I can for the team. If that’s on the bench or playing, I’ll try to keep doing the best I can and not get too far ahead of myself.

“I’ve always arrived at Southampton five or six games into the season, and that is so hard. It found me out last season, and I was rubbish.

“I was disappointed, and I tried to forget about that. I look back at the Leicester game, and I let everyone down. I let myself down.

He’s been top with everyone, from the staff to the players. He came in off the back of a tough season, and he’s ingrained a good feeling.

“When a manager does that and makes you feel good about yourselves, that comes out on the pitch.”

• READ MORE: Ruben Selles rules out obvious ‘excuse’ for Sheffield United’s poor start explaining how he will fix their problems

Ryan Fraser’s 2024/25 Premier League season

The 31-year-old has already played over half the amount of minutes for Southampton this season in the Championship under Still compared to what he did for the whole of last season with the Saints.

Fraser seriously struggled last year in the Premier League, as he featured in only 11 games for the Saints, and in that campaign he was unable to impact the club in the competition.

He only had one shot across the whole campaign last season, and he only made 74 successful passes.

Fraser will be happy that he has put that chapter behind him as he looks for a fresh start at the Saints.