Jack Stephens
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Jack Stephens speaks after defeat to Manchester City #AFCB

February 27, 2023
Southampton loanee Stephens played the full 90 minutes of the 4-1 defeat on Saturday evening, with City capitalising on Cherries’ errors at the back. ANALYSIS: Cherries' game plan against City was the right approach but let down by mistakes Two loose passes paved the way for two of City’s three first-half goals, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden the beneficiaries from Hamed Traore and Phil Billing’s misplaced balls. Those strikes sandwiched Erling Haaland’s goal, which came about after Cherries had been split open by Nathan Ake’s ball from deep. A second-half own goal from Chris Mepham was further damage, before Jefferson Lerma restored some pride with a late strike. Discussing the game, Stephens told the Daily Echo: “Obviously, it's a tough one. “They're a brilliant side. We've tried to be aggressive with them and we did that, caused some problems, but obviously they punished us with a few mistakes and that's what they do, that's what they're really good at. “They're ruthless and that's what it's about. “I thought we stuck at it, we kept going. It's very easy to go under there, 3-0 down at halftime and 4-0 just after the break. Very difficult, but we stuck at it and got to take this one on the chin.” Stephens and Cherries had faced a very different proposition the previous weekend in a 1-0 win over Wolves. The Cherries defence had to sit deep and contend with multiple crosses into the box, whilst against City, they faced a Pep Guardiola side looking to keep the ball on the deck. Asked about the differing styles Cherries had faced in recent weeks, Stephens responded: “I think that's the Premier League. “Every challenge is different. Like you say, last week was a lot of balls in the box, under a lot of pressure defending the box. “Whereas (against City), strangely, you'd think that you'd be defending the box a lot more, but it didn't feel like that. “They obviously take you to places that are uncomfortable. “They drag you out. There's not so much long balls, everything's on the floor. “It's a lot of concentration and just trying to stay in it because you don't have the ball for long periods, you know that's going to happen. “They do that against every team that they play against. That's not just Bournemouth, you see it in the Champions League. They have 60, 70 per cent possession against top teams. “So you've got to accept that that's what they're going to do, and you need to stay concentrated. “And when we win the ball back, we try to be positive with the ball. “I think we obviously gave the ball away a few times first half, but like I said, they punished us with them, and then we tightened up. “I think we did tighten it up second half. The football was a lot better, and we did create chances, there's no denying that. “But unfortunately we've been punished and it’s 4-1, and we have to take that.”  
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s interim manager. Gary O’Neil speaks on Jack Stephens #AFCB

November 11, 2022
INTERIM boss Gary O’Neil is backing Jack Stephens to be raring to go if he is included in Saturday’s clash with Everton – stating: “Jack's definitely ready.” Defender Stephens, a deadline day signing from neighbours Southampton on a season-long loan, made his first start for Cherries in the week, playing the full 90 minutes as the Dorset outfit comfortably cruised past Everton 4-1 to secure safe passage to the fourth round of the League Cup. The Plymouth Argyle academy graduate has made two Premier League appearances for Cherries so far, coming off the bench late on against Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. Alongside his first-team involvement, Stephens has also gained match fitness by playing with Cherries’ development squad. With Chris Mepham suspended after five yellow cards in the Premier League and captain Lloyd Kelly unlikely to return from an ankle injury in time for the weekend, it appears 28-year-old Stephens could be in line for his first Premier League start in red and black. Asked if he would turn to Stephens in the absence of Mepham and Kelly, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Jack's definitely ready. “There's a few others that are ready to come in as well. “So, yeah, obviously going into a Premier League game with no Lloyd Kelly and no Chris Mepham is not something that you want to have to do as AFC Bournemouth. “But we have good replacements. We have options that can come in and help us in that position.” O’Neil would not be drawn on confirming that Stephens would partner Marcos Senesi at the heart of defence, claiming he was yet to decide on a XI for the rematch with Everton. Youngster James Hill is available, whilst Adam Smith has deputised numerous times as a centre-half in a back-three system. With numerous players drafted in from the cold during Tuesday’s League Cup victory, O’Neil could potentially have a selection headache on his hands. Asked if he had been given food for thought by the performances of fringe players, O’Neil responded: “I haven't landed on my starting eleven just yet. “And if I had, I definitely wouldn't be telling you guys at this stage! “But it’s a tough team to pick. We've got so many good players. “I have a good idea of the best way to go this weekend. I'm sure we'll be ready to go come 3pm Saturday. “We'll make it a tough afternoon for Everton, hopefully.”  
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil believes ‘Unfair’ to ask Jack Stephens for scouting report on parent club Southampton #SAINTSFC

October 19, 2022
INTERIM boss Gary O’Neil said it would be “unfair” to ask Jack Stephens to provide a scouting report on parent club Saints and insisted: “I'll do my own research.” Stephens joined Cherries on loan from St Mary’s on transfer deadline day, sealing a season-long switch to Vitality Stadium. The Torpoint-born centre-back made two top-flight appearances for Saints this campaign before arriving at Cherries – where he has made one first-team substitute display thus far. He has been at Saints for more than a decade, having signed from Plymouth in April 2011 for a reported £150,000. Quizzed on whether he would be asking the 28-year-old for a scouting report on Saints, O’Neil replied: “No, that would be unfair on him. “I'll do my own research on Southampton, so I wouldn't put Jack in that situation.” Stephens is ineligible to feature when Cherries host Saints at Vitality Stadium tomorrow (7.30pm). The centre-back has made 90 appearances under Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, who has seen his side struggle in recent weeks with just one point coming from five games. O’Neil added: “I think he has a quite defined style as a coach, and they're generally very front foot and aggressive. “That's sort of always how I've seen these teams. They look to press, they look to put good pressure on you. “When you change a lot of players in the summer, and especially when you sign some young ones, sometimes you need a little while for things to come into place. “And I'm sure that Ralph will turn it around. He's had a really good track record. So, yeah, it'll be a very, very tough game for us.”
Jack Stephens
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Jack Stephens speaks after loan move from Southampton #AFCB #SAINTSFC

September 2, 2022
LATEST Cherries recruit Jack Stephens detailed how his move across the south coast was a “little bit out of the blue”, before sharing how “it felt like the right time for a fresh challenge.” 28-year-old Stephens has swapped Hampshire for Dorset on deadline day, in a move that was seemingly completed in a short turnaround. The centre-back was spotted watching Cherries’ clash with Wolves at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday night, just hours after initial reports of a move came out. Speaking about the whirlwind final days of the window, Stephens told Cherries’ website: “It was a little bit out of the blue. “Got a phone call yesterday and obviously I was really keen to make it happen and it was all done in a few hours and luckily I was able to get it done. “I was really impressed (watching the Wolves game). “It's a good point coming off from a disappointing defeat. It's great to see that the lads haven't sat on that result. “They've looked to bounce back as quickly as possible and I thought they did that last night with a really good point.” Stephens is more than aware of what it takes to survive in the Premier League, after having played 122 games in the top-flight for perennial relegation battlers Saints. “I've played some games at this level and I've been around it for quite a few years,” he added. “So I'm just hoping that I'm able to offer as much experience as possible. “But for myself, I just want to try and get in the team, play as many games as I can and help the team and the club, stay in the division and push up the league. “Obviously, I haven't been out for a while, I haven't changed club for a while, so it felt like the right time for a fresh challenge and one that I'm really looking forward to. “So, like I said, I want to play as many games as I can and help the team and the club push up the division and hopefully have a successful season.” Stephens’ move was sorted in time to allow the centre-back to train with the first-team this morning. “I knew two or three of them before I came. Obviously I didn't get a chance to speak to them before it happened because it happened quite quickly. “But yeah, I've met all the lads this morning and they've all been very welcoming and I'm looking forward to working with them. “(Training was) really enjoyable. I was quite anxious to get involved and wasn't sure if we were able to get out and train this morning, but luckily I was able to get involved and it's nice to get that first one out of the way and focus on the task ahead.” Cherries have frequently switched between a three-man and two-man central defence over the first five games of the season, with Stephens comfortable in either shape thanks to his education at Saints. He mentioned: “Something that I'm quite used to over the last couple of years. “I've played in teams that played back five and back four, so yeah, I feel comfortable in either formation and whatever the manager wants me to do, I'm happy to do that.
Adam Armstrong
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl gives update on Jack Stephens and Adam Armstrong with pair absent against Crystal Palace #SAINTSFC

December 16, 2021
RALPH Hasenhuttl confirmed that Jack Stephens was absent from the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace through rotation and not injury, while Adam Armstrong was not ready. Both Armstrong and Armando Broja were racing against time to be ready for the clash at Selhurst Park, with the Albanian successful and impacting the game heavily with a superb strike. But former Toon man Armstrong, after limping off in the first-half at Arsenal, found Wednesday too soon. Supporters were also concerned that Stephens was not a member of the squad, after he had only just returned from a long-term tendon injury suffered back in September. However, Hasenhuttl moved to explain the absences speaking after the match, saying: “Yeah it was rotation for me (Stephens), and for Arma it was too early. “He still has pain in his leg,” the Austrian added. “I was happy that Broja could make it just in time but this was also not so sure, and you can see how important he was for our team. “We need every player at the moment, it can be one time that you are out of the squad and the next game you have to play because we need everyone.” Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy were also both absent but Hasenhuttl says there could be an opportunity for the former to return versus Brentford on Saturday. He added: “Yes it is also an opportunity, but I’m very happy for Willy today, he did a good job. But yeah we will look for what happens, we are playing against a team that has rested all week.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Jack Stephens set to be on the bench against Brighton #SAINTSFC

December 4, 2021
JACK Stephens is set to be on the bench when Saints host Brighton tomorrow (3pm). The centre-back has been out of action since suffering a hamstring tendon injury during the 0-0 draw at Manchester City in September. But, having returned to training last week, Stephens is now ready to link up once again with the matchday squad. However, despite Jan Bednarek being set to miss the visit of the Seagulls due to a calf problem, Stephens is unlikely to come straight into the starting XI. Asked if Stephens was fit enough to feature from the off against Brighton, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: "It is good to have him back. "He hasn’t had so many sessions so far with the team, but this weekend he will be for the first time back on the bench and then hopefully it is the next step for him. "Then he is coming back to play for us." Stuart Armstrong and Fraser Forster are also set to be unavailable to face Brighton due to injury.
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl explains big #JackStephens injury blow for Southampton #SAINTSFC

September 22, 2021
BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl has tonight confirmed Jack Stephens will be out for up to 12 weeks with a tendon problem in his knee. The centre-back was forced off through injury after 37 minutes during Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Manchester City – and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Hasenhuttl said: “We have now with Jack Stephens a player who is long out, 10 to 12 weeks maybe. So we need every centre-back. “A long-term injury is always a blow to us. “The tendon on the knee is disrupted, so it’s a tendon injury. It takes, I don’t know how long but it will take time.” Stephens had been first choice for Saints this season, lining up regularly alongside Mohammed Salisu for the south coast outfit. Saints still have the likes of Salisu, Jan Bednarek and Lyanco as centre-back options, the latter tonight made his debut in the 2-2 Carabao Cup draw with Sheffield United. Saints eventually won 4-2 on penalties following goals in normal time from Salisu and Ibrahima Diallo.
Nathan Tella
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton defender #JackStephens discusses #NathanTella and Southampton FC squad #SAINTSFC

September 7, 2021
SAINTS defender Jack Stephens has opened up on his unlikely bromance with teammate Nathan Tella admitting: “I just want to look out for him, he makes me laugh and we’re just so different.” Centre-back Stephens, 27, has become great friends with 22-year-old academy graduate and exciting forward Tella, prompting the club website to ask about their friendship. Stephens joined Saints from Plymouth Argyle back in 2011, while Tella arrived in the academy from Arsenal in 2017, making his first-team debut in June 2020. Since then, Tella has gone on to play 20 Premier League games for the club, scoring once, but his infectious attitude and wide, cheeky smile has helped cut him a popular figure both internally and externally at the club. Read more  Southampton players international roundup - September 4 & 5 Southampton FC Women win consecutive 9-0s in National League Moi Elyounoussi dreamt of returning to Saints from Celtic Stephens has revealed that the pair couldn’t be any more different but that he has taken the youngster under his wing, admitting: “I just want to look out for him. “He’s a lovely lad and extremely talented. I just want him to do really well and get right to the very top, which he can do. “He’s just very interesting, he just makes me laugh. And we’re so different, I think that’s what intrigues me. We’re so different as individuals.” Nathan Tella has only made one Premier League appearance so far this season (Picture: PA) The club asked Stephens a series of questions about the squad and asking the defender to elaborate on the answer. Asked who the most annoying teammate is, Stephens joked: “Sharing a dressing room with Moussa, there’s never a dull moment with Moussa. “When he’s happy, he’s very happy. Plenty of singing, plenty of dancing, plenty of music playing. He doesn’t annoy me but he’s definitely the extravagant teammate.” On who he shouts at the most in-game, he added: “I give Che (Adams) a bit of stick, but he’s a good mate of mine so it’s nothing personal. But I’m probably a bit harsh on Che.” After making his Premier League debut during the 2016-17 season and going on to have made well over 100 first team appearances, Stephens has played with a number of past and present Saints defenders. That includes Champions League and Premier League winner Virgil van Dijk, who played alongside Stephens against Leicester in January 2017. But when asked who would be the defender he would like to return to the club and in their prime, to play alongside him now, Stephens answered: “I’d go with Maya (Yoshida). Jack Stephens names Maya Yoshida as among his favourite defensive partners (Picture: PA) “I think you have to look at it from a partnership point of view. The spell I had with Maya when I first got into the team, it just felt easy, we never had to talk about the game or where we going to be it was just so natural. “He was great for me off the pitch, a fantastic person, fantastic role model, an all-round brilliant guy.”
Adam Armstrong
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #JackStephens reflects on playing alongside #AdamArmstrong at Coventry City #SAINTSFC

August 17, 2021
JACK Stephens believes Saints have acquired a “fantastic finisher” in frontman Adam Armstrong – having previously seen him get among the goals first hand more than five years ago. The pair previously played together at Coventry City during the 2015-16 campaign, while both on loan from Saints and Newcastle respectively. Also featuring in the same squad as the likes of Joe Cole, John Fleck and James Maddison – Armstrong scored 20 goals in League One to become the club’s top scorer for the season under Tony Mowbray. He was also named in the PFA League One Team of the Year. Stephens signed for the Sky Blues for the second half of that campaign and made 16 league appearances in total for Coventry. But speaking after Saints’ 3-1 defeat to Everton - in which Armstrong opened his account for the south coast side after signing from Blackburn last week - Stephens was looking forward to having the striker on board. Asked about linking back up with Armstrong by the Daily Echo, the Saints defender said: “The season at Coventry, I think he scored 20-plus league goals that season and I think he’s scored nearly that every year since. “He’s a fantastic finisher and he makes chances for himself as well, so I think we have got a cracking player there. “I have known him for four or five years, so I have tried to help him settle in. He’s an easy lad to get on with, so he’s settled in really well. “It obviously helps when you come in firing and you score on your debut, so no problems from that point of view.” Armstrong’s first goal in Saints colours came when Che Adams pressurised Everton’s Michael Keane into a mistake at Goodison Park. That allowed Saints’ new signing the chance to run in on goal and apply a classy top-corner finish past England keeper Jordan Pickford. And despite being bitterly disappointed with the result overall, Stephens was pleased to see Armstrong make an instant impact. “Last week since he’s come in he’s been really good, looked really sharp and I thought he was excellent on Saturday. Him and Che together, I thought they worked really well,” the centre-back added. “It was a fantastic finish and great work from Che to get him in that position. He took his goal really well. “He’s been a great addition for us and hopefully he will score many more for us.”
Richarlison
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #JackStephens annoyed by ‘sloppy’ Southampton goal which sparked Everton’s revival #EVERTONFC #SAINTSFC

August 16, 2021
FRUSTRATED Jack Stephens described as “really sloppy” the goal which sparked Everton’s revival against Saints on Saturday. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men were in a strong position having gone in at half-time with a 1-0 lead on Merseyside, thanks to Adam Armstrong’s 22nd-minute finish. But the tide turned within two minutes of the restart. After Che Adams headed away a Blues corner, Andros Townsend’s header allowed Richarlison the opportunity to drift away from his marker and finish from close range in simplistic fashion. With their tails up, Everton went on to seal a 3-1 victory thanks to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s superb finish and a late header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Assessing the contest, Stephens told the Daily Echo: “We started really well, got the goal and I thought we played quite well first half and we were frustrating them. “But then we just made it too easy for them to get back into the game. We came out in the second half and just gave them an opportunity to give the crowd a boost. “That early goal in the second half – it just gave them a massive boost and it’s just really poor from our point of view and we are really disappointed.” Quizzed about Richarlison’s leveller, he added: “It was really sloppy from us. The way we came out in the second half was not good enough. We’ve got to defend better than that. “It’s the second phase corner – it’s just nothing. We have to deal with that and it’s not good enough, it’s far too easy for them to get back in the game. “Then their second goal, the lad’s taken it well and it’s a cracking finish but again, it’s disappointing. It’s a shot just on the edge of the box, it’s disappointing we couldn’t get a block on that.” Richarlison also scored when the sides met at Goodison Park back in March, the Toffees triumphing 1-0 on that occasion. Defeat means Saints are still yet to win an opening Premier League fixture since 2013.