Jack Stephens

[bpsaint]

38 minutes ago, goodymatt said:

17 games in to the season and he will have been suspended for 9 of them. 6 of those for a combination of using the ‘C’ word and pulling an opponents hair.

Very unprofessional for a ‘captain’. Tonight he was the one to lead us through this difficult fixture with the squad crisis, instead he just added to it. He is letting us down this season and I would question if he should be the player representing our football club as captain, especially when he doesn’t even make my best 11.

Bang on the money this, such petulance does not deserve the captaincy, particularly when you think of those players that have had the honour previously.

[Appy]

Could be argued he’s got a whole career out of Van Dijk getting injured by Vardy. 

[kevdoh]

27 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

Bang on the money this, such petulance does not deserve the captaincy, particularly when you think of those players that have had the honour previously.

Not a big fan of Stephens at all but just reading those words for the reason for suspensions just shows what the world has come to. Pulling hair and calling someone a cunt. Seriously the game has gone. There used to be battles on the pitch between men giving their blood, swear and tears. Now you have horrible little millionaire rats rolling around because they've had their precious hair doo grabbed. Imagine what Jimmy case, Vinny Jones even more recent Vieira and Keane would have done to these little bitches

[Saint86]

50 minutes ago, kevdoh said:

Not a big fan of Stephens at all but just reading those words for the reason for suspensions just shows what the world has come to. Pulling hair and calling someone a cunt. Seriously the game has gone. There used to be battles on the pitch between men giving their blood, swear and tears. Now you have horrible little millionaire rats rolling around because they've had their precious hair doo grabbed. Imagine what Jimmy case, Vinny Jones even more recent Vieira and Keane would have done to these little bitches

Whilst i don't disagree. Stephen's still isn't good enough and shouldn't be in the starting 11.

THB or Downes would make a better captain figure.

[Whitey Grandad]

2 hours ago, Badger said:

Depends on the sending off. A good crunching tackle sometimes you can often excuse, even applaud depending who it’s on !

But pulling a blokes hair is pretty bloody stupid. And not a red card in my view either. 

It's a definite red  card. No choice.

[AlexLaw76]

The shoehorn being out last season saw our best period of the season

Hilarious that he is skipper 

[Dman]

imo should never captain the club again after that. 3-1 down, struggling with injuries suspensions as it is, absolutely no-need to do something which in this day in age you will not get away with. 

The wose part, it was from an attcking corner ffs. 

[beatlesaint]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

imo should never captain the club again after that. 3-1 down, struggling with injuries suspensions as it is, absolutely no-need to do something which in this day in age you will not get away with. 

The wose part, it was from an attcking corner ffs. 

The worst part is actually the manager coming out, defending him and saying he's been "amazing for us" ! Thats just blatant bullshit !

[Turkish]

2 hours ago, Dman said:

imo should never captain the club again after that. 3-1 down, struggling with injuries suspensions as it is, absolutely no-need to do something which in this day in age you will not get away with. 

The wose part, it was from an attcking corner ffs. 

When his latest suspension is done he'd have missed 7 out of 18 games due to suspension and been sent off in two of the ones he's played. Absolutely ridiculous. 

[Farmer Saint]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

When his latest suspension is done he'd have missed 7 out of 18 games due to suspension and been sent off in two of the ones he's played. Absolutely ridiculous. 

That is some fucking record 🤣

[Sheaf Saint]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

When his latest suspension is done he'd have missed 7 out of 18 games due to suspension and been sent off in two of the ones he's played. Absolutely ridiculous. 

5 game ban last time and a minimum of 4 this time because it's his second red of the season. That's 9 in 18 - literally half the games missed because of being a brainless, petulant prick.

I never want to see him wearing that armband (or even the shirt) ever again.

[badgerx16]

12 hours ago, kevdoh said:

Not a big fan of Stephens at all but just reading those words for the reason for suspensions just shows what the world has come to. Pulling hair and calling someone a cunt. Seriously the game has gone. There used to be battles on the pitch between men giving their blood, swear and tears. Now you have horrible little millionaire rats rolling around because they've had their precious hair doo grabbed. Imagine what Jimmy case, Vinny Jones even more recent Vieira and Keane would have done to these little bitches

Whether you feel the game has "gone" or not, those are now the rules. If Stephens doesn't recognize this he has no part in holding a leadership role in an under 11s team, let alone our first team.

[Andy Hill]

Quite simply JS needs to find a different career path - he has now supplemented his poor footballing skills with a large dose of stupidity.

[SouSaint]

He shouldn't ever play for this club again. 

Edited 5 December, 2024 by SouSaint

[sfc4prem]

Should go back to Plymouth, if they'll take him.

[Bakovnetski]

Get rid of this clueless clown now

 

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, Bakovnetski said:

Get rid of this clueless clown now

 

Stephens, Martin or both?

[coalman]

Making Jack Stephens captain was a warning sign at the start of Martin's reign. Luckily he was out for a big chunk of last season.

He's not the example we want to set for our team. Both his sendings off this season have been stupid. The latest particularly brain dead.

And picking a line up to get him on the pitch is just bonkers. He's clearly not one of the two best centre backs. Playing five at the back to accommodate him just unbalances us.

If you have Messi in your squad then pick a team to get the best out of him. Stephens has gone from surplus and loaned to Bournemouth's bench to having a team arranged around him. Even if he was a competent premier league centre back that would be nuts. As it is he's an ok squad player.

When you champion mediocrity you get mediocrity. That's the culture Martin is instilling in Saints.

Edited 5 December, 2024 by coalman

[Andy Hill]

Mediocrity would be a step up from this nonsense.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

They made a complete balls up making him captain last year and then he got the shoehorn name because it was felt he had to play. Now is the perfect opportunity to change captains and put him way down the pecking order where he belongs.

[Bakovnetski]

14 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Stephens, Martin or both?

Both

[beatlesaint]

I see he's deleted his Social Media. Perhaps he should have kept it going until after he had issued an apology to fans for letting the team/club down esp given his captaincy role.

Given hes such an amazing human being (RM's word, certainly not mine) I would have thought coming out and taking responsibility would have been the first thing he'd done. Not so amazing then Jack ? 

[notnowcato]

Shouldn’t wear the armband again. 

[S-Clarke]

I kinda feel sorry for him, as he does care for the club and he's a decent lad for sure. Well respected at the club.

But his quality level/ability level is so below what we need, and it feels sad that we continue to put someone so limited in the spotlight. It's not like we're just asking him to defend either, we're now trying to reinvent him into some sort of modern day Frank Beckenbauer.

I've always found Jack to be a decent last ditch defender, but that is often because he's initially in the wrong position or gets done by a clever player.

We have and will always concede stacks of goals with Stephens in the side. He can be a decent leader, a decent guy, but he is not of the required quality as a central defender, and certainly not as a ball playing central defender. The fluff Martin puts up his arse is not helping things either.

Edited 6 December, 2024 by S-Clarke

[SambaMaverick]

The fact Lego came through the door and the first things he did is make this bloke skipper and then argue the toss with a fan about Gavin Bazunu being the best keeper in the Championship tells you all you need to know about where he's headed in football.

[lambtiss]

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

I kinda feel sorry for him, as he does care for the club and he's a decent lad for sure. Well respected at the club.

But his quality level/ability level is so below what we need, and it feels sad that we continue to put someone so limited in the spotlight. It's not like we're just asking him to defend either, we're now trying to reinvent him into some sort of modern day Frank Beckenbauer.

I've always found Jack to be a decent last ditch defender, but that is often because he's initially in the wrong position or gets done by a clever player.

We have and will always concede stacks of goals with Stephens in the side. He can be a decent leader, a decent guy, but he is not of the required quality as a central defender, and certainly not as a ball playing central defender. The fluff Martin puts up his arse is not helping things either.

Nailed it 

[coalman]

In other news Stephens has deleted his social media presence.

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/24775996.southamptons-stephens-deletes-social-media-chelsea-red-card/

[Ted Bates Statue]

On 05/12/2024 at 12:41, Sheaf Saint said:

5 game ban last time and a minimum of 4 this time because it's his second red of the season. That's 9 in 18 - literally half the games missed because of being a brainless, petulant prick.

I never want to see him wearing that armband (or even the shirt) ever again.

He would have been able to play yesterday but I can't believe we have a captain who has been unavailable for half our matches played due to his own ill discipline.

I suspect he may not feature so much in what remains of this season (and hopefully not due to future red cards). He's ok for backup and in the EFL Championship but not every week in the PL.

I wonder what must ABK be thinking while he's been bombed-out of the side.

 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

23 minutes ago, Ted Bates Statue said:

He would have been able to play yesterday but I can't believe we have a captain who has been unavailable for half our matches played due to his own ill discipline.

I suspect he may not feature so much in what remains of this season (and hopefully not due to future red cards). He's ok for backup and in the EFL Championship but not every week in the PL.

I wonder what must ABK be thinking while he's been bombed-out of the side.

 

His bromance has left the building. 🙂

As with any new manager, he'll have to earn it. That's how it should be on an ongoing basis too.

In a squad Martin felt was hampered by "scar tissue" after the last relegation, Stephens was vocal, bought into Martin's ideas and was versatile to play in a number of roles.

It was only awkward as, when everyone is fit, he's not first choice on skill, only in shoutiness.

Useful to have in the squad still for us, considering where we are. In his self inflicted absence, Wood has been decent.

Unless he's alienated the rest of the squad, or the club, ABK (who was also decent in his only appearance) might get a chance again too.

There's plenty of personal responsibility and flexibility required in Juric's sides. Things Stephens has, but will now need to show in training to get back in.

[beatlesaint]

Hoping Martin gets a job soon and comes straight back in for his mate, to think we might get a few quid for him is quite funny

[Gingeletiss]

25 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

Hoping Martin gets a job soon and comes straight back in for his mate, to think we might get a few quid for him is quite funny

All his mates, Manning, Wood, Frazer etc

[Saintinnot]

1 hour ago, Ted Bates Statue said:

He would have been able to play yesterday but I can't believe we have a captain who has been unavailable for half our matches played due to his own ill discipline.

I suspect he may not feature so much in what remains of this season (and hopefully not due to future red cards). He's ok for backup and in the EFL Championship but not every week in the PL.

I wonder what must ABK be thinking while he's been bombed-out of the side.

 

Stephens was injured in training so not available yesterday 

[AlexLaw76]

57 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

Hoping Martin gets a job soon and comes straight back in for his mate, to think we might get a few quid for him is quite funny

Norwich is ripe for a new possession-based-at-all-costs type of manager

[Holmes_and_Watson]

46 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Norwich is ripe for a new possession-based-at-all-costs type of manager

Norwich fans welcoming the decision for more seasons of playing out from the back...

[danjosaint]

That will work well with Angus in goal

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

3 hours ago, Ted Bates Statue said:

He would have been able to play yesterday but I can't believe we have a captain who has been unavailable for half our matches played due to his own ill discipline.

I suspect he may not feature so much in what remains of this season (and hopefully not due to future red cards). He's ok for backup and in the EFL Championship but not every week in the PL.

I wonder what must ABK be thinking while he's been bombed-out of the side.

 

He may not be Maldini but I love Jack Stephen's passion and commitment to our Club. I would rather support our team with players like Jack Stephens in it than superior footballers without the affection for the club like ABK.

[madge]

On 25/12/2024 at 13:00, Miltonaggro said:

Good man! Ebeneezer Juric’s got their number! 

 

2 hours ago, Gingeletiss said:

All his mates, Manning, Wood, Frazer etc

Reckon the Plymouth job would be perfect

[bangkoksaint]

38 minutes ago, Sergei Gotsmanov said:

He may not be Maldini but I love Jack Stephen's passion and commitment to our Club. I would rather support our team with players like Jack Stephens in it than superior footballers without the affection for the club like ABK.

I agree over his affection for the club but his lack of professionalism is really unforgivable. To compound his first (and correctly given) red by verbally abusing the assistant referee is scandalous given his position as captain and experience. To then get another red for pulling hair is just staggering. He is not a youth player - he’s a 30 something experienced PL player who was the captain. Sorry Jack but like Russ, thanks for the day at Wembley but please move on now.

[Whitey Grandad]

40 minutes ago, Sergei Gotsmanov said:

He may not be Maldini but I love Jack Stephen's passion and commitment to our Club. I would rather support our team with players like Jack Stephens in it than superior footballers without the affection for the club like ABK.

Please stop trolling.

Inferior players lead directly to inferior results.

[sadoldgit]

49 minutes ago, Sergei Gotsmanov said:

He may not be Maldini but I love Jack Stephen's passion and commitment to our Club. I would rather support our team with players like Jack Stephens in it than superior footballers without the affection for the club like ABK.

This isn’t a Sunday league club, it is a large professional business which employs very expensive employees to work for them. Passion and commitment gets you nowhere if you don’t have the requisite level of ability which, sadly, Jack doesn’t have.

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

2 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Please stop trolling.

Inferior players lead directly to inferior results.

Trolling??!?

Many criticised Benali but his contribution in the dressing room was considerable. I remember seeing a statistic at one point that we won more games when he was playing than when he was not.

Edited 27 December, 2024 by Sergei Gotsmanov

[Oh no Mick Mills]

1 hour ago, Sergei Gotsmanov said:

Trolling??!?

Many criticised Benali but his contribution in the dressing room was considerable. I remember seeing a statistic at one point that we won more games when he was playing than when he was not.

Exactly.

A mediocre player.

But we went down playing ABK whilst he was loaned to Bournemouth . 

Got more points per game last season when he played. 

Sometimes these sort of players add a certain something to the team that managers and fellow players see but many fans dont...in my humble opinion.  

[St. Ciervo]

4 hours ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

Sometimes these sort of players add a certain something to the team that managers and fellow players see but many fans dont...in my humble opinion.  

Luckily there is VAR so us simple fan-folk can see the hair pulling.

Edited 28 December, 2024 by St. Ciervo

[AlexLaw76]

10 hours ago, Sergei Gotsmanov said:

He may not be Maldini but I love Jack Stephen's passion and commitment to our Club. I would rather support our team with players like Jack Stephens in it than superior footballers without the affection for the club like ABK.

They are all mercenaries. 
Ask Jack Stephen’s to play for £500 a week and see his affection then 

[Whitey Grandad]

10 hours ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

Exactly.

A mediocre player.

But we went down playing ABK whilst he was loaned to Bournemouth . 

Got more points per game last season when he played. 

Sometimes these sort of players add a certain something to the team that managers and fellow players see but many fans dont...in my humble opinion.  

Please don’t tell us that Stephens would have saved us from relegation.

[Whitey Grandad]

12 hours ago, Sergei Gotsmanov said:

Trolling??!?

Many criticised Benali but his contribution in the dressing room was considerable. I remember seeing a statistic at one point that we won more games when he was playing than when he was not.

Then perhaps Stephens should stay in the dressing room. On the pitch he’s a liability and a waste of a place in the team.