First year scholar Siph Mdlalose is aiming to show what he can do in the remainder of this season after making his second start of the campaign last weekend.
The winger or forward played as an attacking midfielder in the 2-2 draw with Swansea City where he had a full 90 minute run-out.
Mdlalose has recovered from injury to play a part in the final throes of this season and is relishing the chance to lead some of the younger squad members in the under-18s side.
“I’ve worked hard and it feels like it was a new start to the season for me,” he told youtube.com/southamptonfc.
“I think I did alright in a new position, and having to adapt I came out of it well considering the injuries I’ve had this past season.
“From being a winger to playing more centrally I had to think about more things and it was a good experience – I enjoyed it, I played with a smile on my face which is the main thing.
“I had one big injury on my calf which it me out for a few weeks and I had to get stronger, earn my place back in the team and it’s been good from there on in.”
The 17 year-old forward is confident that he can push on in the remainder of the season and is enjoying the role he’s been given.
“Now I have to take responsibility,” he said. “Help the boys come through and help them settle in to make them feel part of the team because they’re going to be here next season so we should make them feel welcome now for next year.
“It helps you as a person as well because you have to integrate and learn how to deal with new people so it makes it easier for you when you go up to the 21s and move on to progress and learn under new managers.”
While the Under-21 squad is an obvious target for Mdlalose, he has more immediate aims, starting with the trip to Brighton on Saturday with the under-18s.
“Hopefully I’ll get my first goal of the season,” he stated. “I will play well, work hard and do all the simple things first then I’ll worry about the rest of the performance later. I’m working hard and getting the basics right then hopefully score a few goals after.
“I like scoring goals, who doesn’t? As a forward thinking player, scoring goals is a major part of my game and I think I need to input that to make progress for the future.
“Brighton are quite physical, a good team on the ball which will test us as a team since we’re lacking a bit of experience, so it will test our character again and we’ll see how we deal with this one.”
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