#PLStories- #NathanRedmond advised #MichaelObafemi on Swansea transfer #SAINTSFC
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #NathanRedmond advised #MichaelObafemi on Swansea transfer #SAINTSFC

September 8, 2021
MICHAEL Obafemi revealed how a conversation with Nathan Redmond helped persuade him Swansea was a good move, admitting: “He said he (Russell Martin) would look after me, and that I should go and show the world what I can do.” The 21-year-old Republic of Ireland striker joined the south Wales club in a deal worth around £1.5million on deadline day, after a prospective loan move had to the same destination had failed in January. He will now be managed by Russell Martin, who moved to the Jacks from League One MK Dons this summer. Saints winger Redmond played for Norwich between 2013-16, spending all three seasons playing alongside the now-Swansea boss Martin, in the Premier League and Championship. As such, Obafemi asked his ex-teammate about whether he thought it’d be a move he would relish. Speaking to the club website, Obafemi revealed: “Nathan Redmond spoke to me as he played with the coach at Norwich. “He said he would look after me, and that I should go and show the world what I can do, which is what I should do and it’s about time I do that. “I am looking forward to the future, I was looking forward to coming here in January but now I am here permanently I want to show what I can do. I am looking forward to playing for all the Jacks. “I want to bring my experience of the Premier League, and work every day on all aspects of my game and do well in the Championship.” He added: “I can see that this is an amazing club, and it’s about time it gets back to where it deserves to be, which is the Premier League. “I can promise the fans I am going to work my hardest to help us win games, to score goals and to be in contention for promotion, that’s my aim.” At his new club, Obafemi has been given the number nine shirt heading into the Championship campaign – of which Swansea have played five fixtures already, picking up just four points. The Irish forward reveals how he actually idolised a former Swan growing up. Obafemi said: “It feels good to have the number nine shirt and I want to create my own legacy for it. I can remember watching some great players up front for Swansea. “I loved Wilfried Bony, he was a great player and I would love to leave my mark here in the way he did, by scoring goals and helping the team be successful.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl wanted Saints to find the ‘next gear’ at Swansea #SAINTSFC

August 1, 2021
BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted he wanted Saints to find the “next gear” during the latter stages, despite their 3-1 victory over Swansea. Goals from Nathan Tella, Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong meant the Premier League side came from behind in Wales to seal a pre-season victory over the managerless Championship Swans. But despite making seven changes on the hour mark at Liberty Stadium, Saints failed to add to their tally. Hasenhuttl said: “We dropped a little bit the speed I must say in the last 30 minutes, yes. We had a few chances but I hope we give again the next gear and push them a little bit more. “It was not enough for me but after the week they worked hard and they also on Friday we had not really taking respect of the game – we tried to work hard. It’s okay.” Tella’s goal came just a minute after Mohammed Salisu shanked a cross from Liam Cullen into his own net on 15 minutes, while Redmond’s crisp finish put Saints ahead at the break. Armstrong fired in Shane Long’s cross on 57 minutes before the raft of changes from Hasenhuttl. “I think it was a particularly good game,” added the Austrian boss. “I think we scored three good goals. We conceded one and it was a horrible mistake from Sali but okay. “But we are in pre-season, I think we are physically in a good position I think. The last freshness was not there but overall, it was a good performance.” Saints continue their pre-season fixture schedule with a home clash against Levante on Wesnesday, before hosting Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. Their first competitive game comes at Everton in the Premier League on August 14.