Armand Traore believes working with coach Glenn Hoddle is making him a better player.
It also helps somewhat Rio Ferdinand is alongside to likewise beef up the defensive skills of the French-born player.
Harry Redknapp reckoned Traore ‘is half a full-back and half a winger’ and against Stoke was asked to fill the former slot.
The honest left-sided player admitted he is learning every day, but the ex-England boss is providing the perfect tuition.
He said: “I’m working with Glenn Hoddle, and you might have seen when (Stoke’s, Mame Biram) Diouf made a run from deep; I recovered the ball this was down to Glenn.
“He told me: ‘When the winger makes the run inside you can’t play him offside’.
“Rio is also helping me; and every day I hope to improve.”
Traore hopes to retain his starting slot against Southampton, and even though he played for hated rivals Portsmouth in season 2008-09, reckons Saints fans will have forgotten his stint at Fratton Park.
He said: “Anyway, I get abuse wherever I go. And I played longer for Arsenal and never got any problems at Tottenham when we played them.”
Keep up to date with all the build-up, matchday and post-game reaction to Southampton v QPR right here on GetWestLondon.
