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Southampton: A look at the importance of Jack Stephens’ form

By Edward Waugh

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 03: Jack Stephens of Southampton celebrates scoring his side's second goal with team mates during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns on February 3, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 03: Jack Stephens of Southampton celebrates scoring his side's second goal with team mates during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns on February 3, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images) /
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The 24-year-old is in the best form of his life, having scored three goals in his last three games, and therefore having kept Southampton’s unbeaten record to six games.

Stephens has been a steady improver in a Saints shirt since January last year, given the opportunity to nail down a first team spot due to the injury of then-Saint Virgil van Dijk.

Up until this January, his playing time has been somewhat staggered though, playing as back up, however as the season has progressed, the English centre-half has come to the forefront. This due to Van Dijk’s transfer saga, and Maya Yoshida loss of form around Christmas.

In losing Van Dijk, many fans were hoping that Southampton were in the market for a replacement, which would’ve pushed Stephens back onto the sidelines, though this did not happen.

This opinion is not down to Stephens being incapable of doing the job, but more down to his experience in what is a crucial role on the field. Though many fans like the former-Plymouth Argyle player, they would feel more comfortable in seeing an experienced export play that role.

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Jack Stephens of Southampton celebrates after scoring his sides first goal with his team mates during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton and Watford at St Mary’s Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Jack Stephens of Southampton celebrates after scoring his sides first goal with his team mates during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton and Watford at St Mary’s Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

This is completely understandable when you take into account the lack of leadership that Saints posses at the back, with what is still a young back line including Stephens. With this, Mauricio Pellegrino’s men have only kept one clean sheet in their last seventeen League games, quite a worrying stat.

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To give you an idea on why this is, from whoscored.com, it lists that Stephens’ big weakness belong in aerial duels, which is how Southampton have conceded so many this season. To add, this is quite a crucial weakness to have for a player of his position, and therefore why many felt a replacement was needed.

However, with no replacement in January, it is essential that Jack Stephens’ form and ability continue to flourish, to expect it goalscoring wise would obviously be unrealistic.

However, on the back foot, defensively, it could be the difference in achieving better results and therefore avoiding relegation, this down to the lack of back up and options that Saints currently have to fill this role.