When Southampton brought in Ryan Fraser on loan in the summer it was a move met with a mixed reception, with some fans questioning whether he was the right player to sign.
Questions over Fraser‘s attitude in the past mixed with the fact the 29-year-old has barely played over the past two seasons meant that, whilst no one doubted his quality, some doubted his ability to kickstart his career at Southampton.
Russell Martin knows Fraser well having played alongside him for Scotland and was a key factor in the deal happening. The winger with 173 Premier League appearances also knew the likes of transfer-linked Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong from his time with the national team. Martin has managed Fraser’s minutes, with the Newcastle United loanee having a big impact from the bench but struggling to have as big a say when starting games.
That was until recently. With Kamaldeen Sulemana injured since the end of November and the in-form Sam Edozie picking up an injury on New Year’s Day, Fraser has had to step up as the starting left winger. Having started Southampton’s last two games, against Walsall in the FA Cup and then Sheffield Wednesday in the league, Fraser scored three and provided one assist.
The Scot, affectionately nicknamed ‘Weeman’ by the Southampton players and staff due to his height, has been a fresh of breath air since joining the club, never causing any fuss despite only starting five Championship games.
Having endured a tough time at Newcastle, Fraser is loving life at St Mary’s and conducted a feature length interview on the club website in which he spoke, among other things, of his desire to extend his stay at the club.
What did Ryan Fraser say about Southampton?
In the interview on Bournemouth beach, where Fraser calls home despite his Scottish origins and time in the north east, Fraser was in a reflective mood as he discussed his successful loan so far.
There is a real togetherness at the club this season, much of which is owed to the positive impact of Martin since coming in, and the players seem to love playing under their manager. Fraser confirmed that this is certainly the case for him as, despite dropping down a level from the Premier League, the winger said: “I’m enjoying football again like I probably never have done in a long, long time at Southampton”.
Speaking on how the transfer came about, Fraser explained: “The minute Russell phoned me, I pushed everything to get down here. It was all about playing football, all about getting promoted again because I knew what it was like to get promoted from Bournemouth. It was an unbelievable feeling”.
Southampton are currently on a 20-game unbeaten streak and could leapfrog Ipswich Town this weekend to get into the automatic promotion spots. No one at the club has hid from the fact that the aim this season is to secure a return to the Premier League at the first attempt and Fraser echoed this when speaking about his future plans.
The ex-Bournemouth man said: “Here’s to the future of us getting promoted, first and foremost, and then, even if we don’t, I want to stay for as long as possible whatever happens at the end of the season”.
Could Fraser make Scotland Euros squad?
Fraser has scored seven goals and provided two assists in all competitions this season despite his limited starts and is showing the kind of form that could see him sneak into the Scotland squad for this summer’s European Championships in Germany. Fraser has 25 caps for his country but claims the Euros is not something he thinks about, insisting: “I’ve got two objectives. The big one is, like I say, to get promoted and the second one is to sign here for as long as I can”.
After a disappointing few years at the club culminating in Premier League relegation last summer, it is refreshing for Southampton fans to hear first hand from a player so desperate to stay at the club. Loan deals always provide an element of risk, but Fraser’s is one which highlights that they can work so well when player and club are pulling in the same direction.
Martin is undoubtedly a huge reason for Fraser’s impact, as well as his desire to earn a permanent move, and the wide man was quick to compliment his manager, saying: “For everyone, I think he’s first and foremost, such a good guy, but as a manager he is unbelievable. I mean some of his philosophy, I’d never even thought of before, so to see that and learn from it is unbelievable. It takes time to adapt to his way of playing but he’s a top, top manager”.
Given the clear desire from Fraser and from Martin, regardless of whether Southampton are promoted, it is difficult to envisage Fraser not being a Southampton player next season, and the club will be far better for it.