Southampton: Saints fully aware of situation, insists Jack Stephens
By Chris Hughes
Southampton centre-back Jack Stephens has made it clear that his Saints side are fully aware of their precarious league position as the season draws to a close.
The Saints – who as recently as last season were competing in the Europa League – have famously struggled all season with only team (West Brom) having won less games than the south coast outfit.
Despite this, most people around the club seem fairly naive to the situation in hand, with manager Mauricio Pellegrino forever insisting that the side ‘will address the problems and look to next week’. Les Reed and those on the board seemed glazed to the issues as well, with the Saints making just one signing in January – a striker who is yet to make his mark.
As proven with sides like Sunderland, Bolton and even Southampton’s FA Cup quarter-final opponents Wigan, relegation doesn’t always result in an instant bounce-back, meaning if the Saints do go down it could be another seven seasons before they make it back to the top flight.
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Southampton defender Jack Stephens insists therefore that the side are well aware of the magnitude of the situation:
"“No one is too good to go down. We know we’re a good side but we’re not naive enough to think we won’t go down.More from Saints MarchingGrading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: ArrivalsGrading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: DeparturesIt’s time to talk about Gavin BazunuRain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth ArgyleA lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse“We don’t think like that, we know how tough this league is and we know how good the teams are. “We saw that Stoke aren’t just going to roll over for us and that’s the same going into next week and the rest of the games this season.” – Stephens to the Daily Echo"
The Saints go into this weekend’s game against Newcastle just one point and one place above the relegation zone, knowing a negative result could see the Saints slip into the bottom three.
Including the match against the Magpies, Southampton have just nine games left to save their season, with matches against Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton still to come.
The frank comments from Stephens are refreshing to hear therefore, as previously touched upon it’s seemed much like the Saints aren’t fully aware of the severity of their league position.
The centre-back will be hoping his words of wisdom can transfer into a good performance this weekend, with points needed more than ever.