A number of Southampton fans have been bemoaning the performance of Jack Stephens following the Saints’ goalless draw at home to West Ham United on Tuesday night.
Ralph Hasenhuttl was hoping his side could overcome the fact that he was unable to be on the touchline against West Ham due to having to self-isolate. However, in a game that was often devoid of quality in the final third neither team were able to do enough to claim what would have been an important win.
One player who struggled at times against West Ham, especially in possession, was Stephens who continued to fill in for the injured Jannik Vestergaard. The 26-year-old lost possession 14 times throughout the 90 minutes (Sofascore). He was also nearly guilty of allowing the Hammers to score a late winner after failing to clear and it took an excellent save from Alex McCarthy to deny Saïd Benrahma.
However, Stephens was still solid enough in terms of his general defending and he managed to make five clearances, three tackles and two interceptions (Sofascore). Southampton though lacked their ability to switch the play from the back that they do without Vestergaard and the centre-back does not have the same level of ability as the Denmark international.
Southampton fans bemoan Stephens’ performance
Many Southampton fans were quick to pick up on the mistake that the defender made late on in the game and suggest that he is often guilty of making a key error that takes the gloss off an otherwise strong performance. He will hope he can avoid such mistakes next time out.
Stephens will always give the opposition at least one of them a game #SaintsFC
— Dean Cook (@DeanCook008) December 29, 2020
Jack Stephens wouldn’t be Jack Stevens if he didn’t setup the opposition a clear chance at least once #saintsfc
— Anti Neil (@antineil) December 29, 2020
Stephens nearly cost us the game…again 🙄🙄🙄 #saintsfc
— Nate Dagogo (@ODagogo) December 29, 2020
What a save!! Terrible from Stephens #saintsfc
— Harry Stokes (@HarryStokes_93) December 29, 2020
Does Stephens want to lump it forward anymore…. haven’t seen any of our CB’s do that this year… not good enough #saintsfc
— Zac Mouland (@ZacMouland_SFC) December 29, 2020
McCarthy has just bailed out Jack Stephens, what was that clearance?!?! #SaintsFC
— Ryan (@rthomas95) December 29, 2020
