Southampton vs Leicester City

since I've come back,
that belief and positivity
in the side and myself,
I've really enjoyed it.
“The way he plays
is very enticing as
a player, I think it’s
the best football
that a footballer can
see himself playing,
because I think
everyone enjoys when
they have the ball
and they can show
what they can do, and
I think that’s exactly
what Russell wants in
his team. It’s the same
view I have on football
as well.
“I’ve had great
conversations with
him. I spoke to him
in the summer even
before I came back,
and he said how he
was looking forward to
working with me, and
ever since I’ve come
back in from the first
day of pre-season I’ve
really enjoyed the style
of play – the football
has been brilliant.
“It’s got a very positive
vibe around the place
here now. Obviously
I can’t speak for last
year, I wasn’t here, but
slightly negative energy
around the place.
Coming into this year
with new people I think
was important, and
for me coming back
and seeing the change
and everything that's
happened has been a
breath of fresh air.”
Smallbone started the
season conducting
Martin’s midfield
orchestra. Playing
as a No 6 in front
of the back four, he
was outstanding on
the opening night
at Hillsborough,
completing 142 passes
as Saints dominated
Sheffield Wednesday
with possession,
eventually grinding
them down to win the
game late on.
An injury in the
second league game,
against Norwich, saw
Smallbone sit out the
wins over Plymouth and
QPR, and he returned in
a more advanced role
at Sunderland.
Whilst the result ran
away from Saints early
on, interestingly that
position as a No 8 is
more to the player’s
taste, and where he
hopes to play more
often.
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