Sugawara: 'I love the Southampton fans, I hope they love me back more'

The 24 year old Japanese international scored his first goal for Saints in their 3-1 Premier League defeat at Brentford on Saturday.

Sugawara netted from range in the opening pre-season match at Eastleigh to give supporters a flavour of the attacking threat he possesses.

He has started all three league matches at right-back this season, as Saints have so far failed to register a point on the board.

Sugawara was a stand-out performer at the Gtech Community Stadium to reinforce his status as a potential fans' favourite. 

"I think first the players need to love the fans and the club, then they will love back more than we love," he told the Daily Echo. 

Yukinari Sugawara celebrates after scoring Southampton's first goal of the Premier League season (Image: PA)

"So first I love them and how they love me, and then the club loves me. But I love more than they love me, you know?

"So that's like girlfriend and boyfriend," he quipped. "But when I love them, then I hope they love me back more.

"We have a very good relationship and I'm very comfortable to talk with the fans and walk in the city.

"When I walk in the city I have some moments to take pictures with the fans, and they're really kind and say good things about the club." 

Although Sugawara does not live in Southampton, he labelled it a "good city" and added he has "enjoyed" his first two months as a Saints player. 

Sugawara said: "It was a tough six weeks since we started because we trained very hard. And for me, I'm a new player so I have to learn a lot of things.

"Like personality and how the team is going. A lot of meetings. Physically, I was so tired. In my head, I was so tired. I have to do that because I'm in one of the teams.

"I feel it's getting better. We play specific football with Russell so every day I try to know what he wants. I watched the past games with the Championship.

"I'm trying to know everything, but it's not easy so sometimes I ask him or I ask a teammate. I don't know how long it takes, but I want to solve as much as possible."

Sugawara was given a baptism of fire on his welcome to the Premier League, facing England international and speedster Anthony Gordon.

Although Newcastle United were partly nullified by a Fabian Schar red card, Sugawara was withdrawn at half-time of the 1-0 defeat.

Sugawara was a threat to the opposition half but manager Russell Martin spotted his flank was exposed so he became a makeweight in a system change. 

"Physically, tactically, technically, intensity everything is different to the Eredivise," former AZ Alkmaar man Sugawara said.

"After the Newcastle game, I only played 45 minutes, but I feel tired more than I played 90 minutes in the Eredivisie.

"That's different, especially against Gordon. He's very fast and a good player so I have to follow him, but also in attack, I have to go up. It was like a Yo-Yo test.

"It was tough, but that's the Premier League. I watched all of Southampton's games in the Championship and I ask the trainer what I need to do on the pitch.

"It's a good conversation between the coaching staff and me - there's a reason why they wanted to buy me - but a lot of things I cannot say to the media." 

Sugawara added: "The fans are not the coach. Everything is up to Russell, so if he makes a decision, then I follow.

"Of course, I ask him why I'm off. There were good conversations and we had really positive things, which we picked up in that game.

"We were very positive and talked honestly. But against Newcastle, if I could have given them an assist or score then it changes a lot, so I have to do better."