Playing on a different level

Published : Oct 26, 2013 00:00 IST

After taking a while to adapt to life in the top flight, Adam Lallana has impressed for Saints this term, leading to suggestions he could follow Rickie Lambert into the England set-up, writes Simon Peach.

Adam Lallana, Southampton’s longest serving player, has never played with a better, more confident team. Having joined Saints in 2000 at the age of 12, the attacking midfielder has stayed with the club through its many peaks and troughs.

Lallana was part of the side relegated to the English League One four years ago and helped Southampton secure back-to-back promotions to the Barclays Premier League. Now captain, the 25-year-old has played a key role in the fine start Mauricio Pochettino’s side have made to the campaign.

Saints head into the international break fourth in the EPL and having collected five clean sheets from seven matches — something which has not surprised Lallana.

“This is the most confident, best squad I’ve been involved in,” he said.

“Even though we weren’t at our best that Sunday, we still won against Swansea. That’s the sign of a good team and hopefully we can keep that going for the future.

“For however long we’re in fourth we’re going to want to stay there and look up, we’re not going to look behind us.

“That’s the same as any team. You don’t want to look behind you, you just want to look up. Whilst we’re in fourth position we’re going to want to stay there and win our next game.”

As well as the team, Lallana will also be hoping to keep his own fine form going.

After taking a while to adapt to life in the top flight, the 25-year-old has impressed for Saints this term, leading to suggestions he could follow Rickie Lambert into the England set-up.

“I’m working hard,” Lallana said. “The manager is pushing me harder and harder. I enjoy working hard and working for him. He’s getting the best out of me and I just want it to continue.

“I’ve always wanted to add more goals to my game and I’ve never been worried about anything.

“I just want to continue working hard and being part of a successful winning team. As long as we’re winning games it’s not vital who gets the goals.”

Pochettino would certainly not be surprised to see another call-up to the national team for Lallana, who was called up for England’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in September 2012 though he did not play.

“I’m very happy for Adam,” said the Saints boss. “He’s a great bloke and a great professional and he’s very passionate about this club, about Southampton, so I’m happy for him.

“I’m very happy that he scored and for everything he represents — all the good values at this club.

“It’s not my decision in the end, but if he keeps performing as he did he’ll be actually very close to getting that call up to the national side.

“I want to thank him for his kind words about me, but there’s a structure at this club to help everyone improve and that goes from the chairman to the cleaning lady.

“The one person who deserves all the praise for his improvement is the player himself. His performance has been amazing over the last few games.”

© PA Sport, 2013, All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, re-written, re-distributed or commercially exploited. Sportstar is not responsible for any inaccuracy in the material.

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