Mason Holgate Determined to Break into Southampton Starting XI
Despite a challenging start to his loan spell at Southampton, defender Mason Holgate remains determined to force his way into Russell Martin’s team and help the club achieve promotion back to the Premier League.
The 27-year-old, deemed surplus to requirements at Everton, joined Southampton in the summer seeking more playing time. However, he has only made five appearances so far, struggling with individual errors in his early games.
“The Sunderland game is one that I look back on with disappointment,” Holgate admitted. “The same thing goes for the Middlesborough game. I have such high expectations for myself. I didn’t have a full pre-season, which isn’t an excuse, but I was a yard or two off it.”
Despite facing stiff competition from Poland international Jan Bednarek and England Under-21 captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Holgate impressed in his recent performance against West Brom, earning the man of the match award after a commanding display in a 2-1 win.
“All I can do is keep pushing,” he stated. “Hopefully, when I get my chances I can stay in the team. That’s what the whole team needs to do, not just myself. The team only gets better when players come in and make the manager ask questions. That’s what a good squad is about. That is what we need to be over the course of the season.”
Holgate also praised the impact of manager Russell Martin on his decision to join Southampton, highlighting his fresh approach to football and his possession-based system.
“Speaking to the manager about football was such a breath of fresh air and it was something that I wanted to try,” Holgate said. “Hopefully, it’s only going to get better from here. The way he speaks about football and his ideas about football is something that I am all in for.
“I know how big of a club Southampton is, I’ve played here many times in the Premier League. This is a Premier League club with a Premier League set-up. I have really enjoyed it so far, but I am a footballer. I’ve come here and I want to play games. All I can do is try and force myself into the team by playing well.“
Holgate’s determination and positive attitude suggest he is ready to make a significant contribution to Southampton’s promotion campaign. His ability to perform at his best when given the opportunity could prove crucial for the club’s success.
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