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Redmond Chases Shearer Record

Those that say Nathan Redmond isn't a natural finisher haven't looked at his record for the England U21 side.

Of course the England U21 side is hardly full International football nor Premier League standard, but many great names in England's history have passed through this level and gone on to greater things.

Alan Shearer holds the record for goals scored at this level, all of them incidentally scored whilst at Saints, his tally of 13 goals is matched only by Francis Jeffers (OK I know that he didn't go on to greater things) and Redmond currently stands third on 11.

Now he has the opportunity to beat this record, however much of it will depend on how England get on in the European Championships currently being played, this is Redmond's last chance at this level and he may only have one game left if England go out to host nation Poland on Thursday evening.

If England lose then it looks like Redmond will fall short of even matching Shearer let alone beating him, but an England win would see them through to the semi's and another game possibly two if they get to the final.

Redmond is not as popular as he should be amongst some sections of the Saints support, this is possibly not his fault in that he was propelled into a role not suited for him by Claude Puel's stubbornness to play in the way he wanted too and not one that better suited the players he had to hand.

This meant that Redmond was played out of position and as a main striker, something that he is clearly not, however even after this his return in goals was not too shabby and he could well be a contender for player of the year next season if played in the right position from the start.

There will be some who will not give him that benefit of the doubt and he will have to work hard to win the fans over, however he never hid last season, he worked hard and got his just rewards, not least the crucial goal that meant we went to Anfield in the League Cup semi final second leg with a slender lead.

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