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Pellegrino demands more from Redmond
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Published 02/12/2017 at 16:13 GMT
Nathan Redmond can still be more "aggressive" in the final third, according to Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino.
Pep Guardiola, Nathan Redmond (Manchester City vs. FC Southampton)
Image credit: Getty Images
Redmond found himself locked in an animated full-time discussion with Pep Guardiola after Manchester City edged out Southampton 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Guardiola has since admitted he harboured regrets over the incident, with the Football Association asking for his observations on the issue.
Redmond downplayed the discussions in an official statement and Pellegrino refused to become embroiled - but ahead of Sunday's south coast derby at Bournemouth, the Saints boss admitted the former Norwich forward can still find another gear in attack.
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Southampton's Nathan Redmond celebrates scoring their first goal
Image credit: Reuters
"For sure it's something we were talking about, in the last few weeks, that we can work in the way we attack and he and others can be more aggressive in the final third," said Pellegrino.
"For sure, Nathan for me is an important player for us, hopefully he needs just small steps to improve a little bit.
"He still is very young, but the offensive job is not about one player, all of us we have to improve.
"For me the goalkeeper is also important in attacking style, and my strikers are important in defensive style, all of us are responsible."
Southampton will give striker Shane Long a late fitness test over a calf problem, but full-back Cedric Soares will miss out with a hamstring problem.
Pellegrino confirmed Jeremy Pied will slot into the starting line-up, backing the 28-year-old Frenchman to thrive on a rare start for Saints.
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Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at Amex Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Brighton, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
"Jeremy Pied will play," said Pellegrino.
"I feel most of my players are ready to play right now.
"Jeremy has trained well, he's one of the examples in the squad in the way that he trains every single day without being on the list for most of the games.
"And it's really difficult to keep the motivation, and he will have the opportunity to show how he's keeping it now.
"When you play one game in 15 it's not easy, but the team will try to support him to try to play well.
"I told him that he will play because I feel he's ready to do it, prepared to do it; well prepared to do it."
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