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It’s been far from easy going at St. Mary’s this season. While Ralph Hasenhuttl has certainly inspired an uplift in overall performance since taking the reigns from Mark Hughes, Southampton are still only two points clear of the relegation zone.

Collectively, Saints have struggled, but there have been some individual success stories throughout 2018/19. Below, Football FanCast’s expert writers debate who has been Southampton’s most improved player this season…

James Beavis – Nathan Redmond

“The attacker scored one goal – which didn’t come until May – and provided three assists in 31 Premier League appearances last season as his confidence was clearly at an all-time low. However, this term he has gone from someone on the periphery in matches to arguably the club’s most important player – especially in the final third.

“Even though the goals and assists didn’t flow earlier in the campaign, the 24-year-old was frightening defenders and his hard work during the summer has paid off. He has begun to find the net on a regular basis under Hasenhuttl, and his versatility and his tirelesss performances mean he is a vital cog of the team – if Southampton lose him to injury now they would go down.”

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

Jack Saville – Jan Bednarek

“It’s impossible to separate this question from the arrival of Hasenhuttl. A collection of individuals have markedly improved under his watch, but one player stands out for me: Jan Bednarek. It’s an absolute mystery how Mark Hughes failed to recognise his talent when it was staring him in the face and, at just 22 years old, Southampton have a huge prospect on their hands.”

Billy Meyers – James Ward-Prowse

“It’s certainly a difficult one, as a number of players have improved under Hasenhuttl compared to a period of stagnation under Hughes, but one player has been markedly improved above all; James Ward-Prowse.

“The English midfielder has been an impressive Premier League performer for the Saints over the years, but without any real substance in the shape of goals or assists – now, however, he sits on five league goals this term, which is already a personal best for him.”

Christy Malyan – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

“For a long time, it wasn’t quite clear why Southampton had invested so much faith in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, but amid this season of almost unrelenting disappointment he’s stood out as a player eager to take games by the scruff of the neck.

“Sometimes, perhaps a little too much; a goal combined with a red card against Manchester City was poignantly telling. But the stats don’t lie – Hojbjerg’s made more appearances, scored more goals and laid on more assists this season than in any of his previous Premier League campaigns.”