Southampton's Ryan Fraser looking to use success to influence opinion

The 29 year old Newcastle United winger arrived at St Mary’s on loan during the summer window and has made substitute appearances against QPR and Sunderland.

Promoted from the Championship previously with AFC Bournemouth, former Scotland teammate Russell Martin was a big advocate for bringing the forward in.

However, his arrival came with some initial questions surrounding his sharpness having not played since October 2022 and mentality after leaving Bournemouth in controversy in 2020.

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Fraser rejected a short-term deal to play through Project Restart as Cherries were relegated from the Premier League – while he has also spent 2023 training with Newcastle’s under-21s.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Fraser explained: “Everyone’s got an opinion but it’s tough because whatever I say here, everyone will form their own opinions.

“But (at Newcastle), I didn’t do anything wrong. I wasn’t playing but we had a massive squad. I went down with the 21s and that happens in football.

“The Bournemouth thing, it’s a long time ago and I don’t want to think too much on it or dwell on it – it was a terrible way to end what happened but it’s happened.

“Let’s all walk away and focus on our own careers. Now, I’m just trying to get promoted and if we manage that I will be smiling.”

Although Fraser says he would be “silly” to assume he has won over all the Saints fans already, his debut cameo versus QPR was well-received in St Mary’s.

Fraser, just over 24 hours after signing, was introduced with 35 minutes of regulation time still to play – although he was scheduled for around five – and the scores level at 1-1.

It was the energy his directness and creativity gave the crowd which saw Saints spurred on, with Adam Armstrong’s winner coming from Fraser’s left wing.

“Signing autographs after the game, fans had really nice things to say. When I start games and do well, I’m hoping that opinions of me can be positive,” Fraser added.

“At the end of the day, as long as we go up that’s the most important thing – but I was really grateful because I was nervous coming on, having not played any games in 10 months and they gave me a really warm welcome.”

Fraser could make his first start when Leicester City visit tomorrow after working with new manager Martin for the two weeks during the international break.

Fraser wants to get back into the Scotland national team having not played in nearly a year but his method to do so is switching his focus purely on Saints.

Although Martin was forced to deliver some sessions with as few as 10 senior outfield players, it has been a perfect chance for Fraser to get up to speed with the new demands.

He said: “I’ve needed the last two weeks with no games just to learn how we play because there’s so much identity in the team, and I need to find my identity in that team.

“It’s definitely something I’m learning because we’re not the finished product yet, we’re all still learning. The manager is still learning about his players as well.”

With 173 Premier League appearances to his name, Fraser is hoping he can pass on some of his experience to a young crop of wingers at St Mary’s.

Kamaldeen Sulemana, 21, Sam Edozie, 20, and Sam Amo-Ameyaw, 17, are all making their first steps in senior English football.

“I want to play every game but in the Championship the squad is bigger than yourself. It’s silly if you think you’ll play every game, it’s not going to happen,” Fraser admitted.

“We’re going to need everyone and for myself personally, I want to help in any way I can. I’m one of the experienced boys and I’ve been promoted from this league before.

“Small things like recovery and food; the boys see what you’re eating and ask questions, I’ll explain what you might not need for what day and things like that.

“In this league, games come thick and fast. If you’re one per cent off it you are going to get found out, so you draw on that experience.”

It has been easy for Fraser to settle into life at Southampton, under manager Martin. That has been helped by playing with the gaffer at international level.

Martin was actually on the bench when Fraser made his debut for the Tartan Army at Hampden Park, in a crazy 2-2 draw against England in October 2017.

Fraser created the leveller for Leigh Griffiths at 1-1 in the 87th minute – the former Celtic man scored again in added time before Harry Kane had the last touch.

With Martin already coming to the end of his playing career and Fraser just beginning his, he insists the dynamic of their relationship was already ‘follow the leader’.

“It is a little bit weird but at the same time, I was young and he already had that experience – we were friends but I was really learning from him rather than being best mates,” Fraser said.

“We respected each other and knew each other, but when we come into this here I know he’s the boss, he’s got the final say and I’m in my place to help any time I can.

“That relationship is a very good thing because you need a coach that doesn’t think, ‘He’s 29 years old and doesn’t need help anymore’. He’s been brilliant with everything.

“He’s introduced me to all the staff and told me who I need to speak to for anything, what analysts can drip feed me information for playing against what full-back.”