NATHAN Redmond has lent his support to struggling Saints striker Che Adams.

Adams is yet to register his first goal for the St Mary’s side since his £15m summer move from Birmingham.

Redmond knows what it’s like to go through a purple patch on the south coast which eventually led to him being jeered by the club’s supporters.

Although Adams hasn’t been booed by the St Mary’s crowd, Saints’ winger has had a word with the 23-year-old.

“I’ve spoken to him about it before and told him that I went through a tough stage that saw me getting booed by the fans, whether that being home or away – I couldn’t do anything right,” Redmond told the Daily Echo before he picked up his hip injury.

“The following season I finished top goalscorer, Players’ Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year.

“I told him his luck can change within a year.

“For him, he just needs that first goal.

“I’m a Birmingham boy. I’ve watched so many games and I know exactly what he can do. I know the handful that he is.

“He’s a great lad as well. He puts the effort in during training every single day and I think he’d be worried if he didn’t.

“We can’t question his work rate and desire to keep plugging away.”

Adams was electric throughout pre-season and fans became accustomed to seeing him score in the opening exchanges.

This led to manager Ralph Hasenhuttl giving him a run in the starting XI at the start of the campaign.

Adams came agonisingly close several times but was denied by a string of excellent saves and the woodwork.

Danny Ings eventually dislodged the former Birmingham ace in the line-up and went on to net 15 Premier League goals before the season was halted because of coronavirus.

During Adams’ time in the team, Redmond was desperate for him to score – even if it meant going in off the striker’s shin.

“It’s all it can take,” he added.

“The good thing for him at the moment is that he has a lot of experienced players in the dressing room who are able to keep him calm and in a headspace that means when he’s needed he can come on and affect games.”

Expanding on the value of experienced players in the dressing room, Redmond thinks back to when he was going through his struggles.

During that period, he had the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Dusan Tadic and Jose Fonte to offer words of wisdom.

Maya Yoshida remained to be an influential figure until he left to join Sampdoria on loan in January which leaves players such as Ryan Bertrand, Oriol Romeu and Shane Long taking the lead.

Saints’ winger added: “I’ve had those conversations when Jose Fonte was here, Dusan Tadic, Virgil, Bertie [Ryan Bertrand], Steven Davis and Longy.

“All these players that are still here give me advice to this day because you are never too old to learn.

“It’s a learning process and if you are mentally strong you will get through it.”