‘Russell Martin shaped my mentality’ – Kamaldeen Sulemana on former Southampton manager

Southampton winger Kamaldeen Sulemana has praised former manager Russell Martin for helping him develop a stronger mentality, despite struggling for game time under his leadership.

The Ghanaian international had limited opportunities under Martin, mainly due to injuries, but even when fit, he rarely featured in the starting lineup.

Despite this, Sulemana believes the experience made him mentally tougher.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, he said, “He shaped my mentality because when I wasn’t playing, I had to be a different kind of player, work 200 per cent, do more.

“I had to always try my best to do double in order to maybe get the chance to play, so I think he’s made me the way stronger mentality-wise.

“It’s not about mourning when things go wrong because obviously if I was mourning, I would have mourned for the whole season, that would be tiring.”

Martin, who was dismissed earlier in the season due to Southampton’s poor form, was replaced by Ivan Juric.

This season, Sulemana has featured in 21 matches across all competitions, contributing two goals and two assists.