Is time up for Jack Stephens?
In the absence of the unwell Yan Valery and the injured Jannik Vestergaard, Southampton were forced to play James Ward-Prowse and Jack Stephens at wing back and centre back respectively. Ward Prowse has flourished under Hasenhuttl but he has never looked comfortable at right wing back, whilst Stephens failed to take the opportunity for redemption with an unconvincing performance.
It would be unfair to lay all of the blame at Stephens’ door, especially given that his defensive partners Yoshida and the usually reliable Bednarek were also poor against a lively Newcastle attack. That being said, Stephens may run out of chances soon and tellingly, his manager decided not to keep faith with him following half time, instead replacing him with Mario Lemina.
It was a damning indictment of how Hasenhuttl views Stephens that he chose to keep the booked Ward-Prowse on over him. Southampton looked better following the change of shape at the back and providing Southampton stay up, Stephens may well find himself part of a summer exodus from St Mary’s.