With Florin Gardos still doubtful for the match against West Bromwich Albion the question is whether Ronald Koeman will look to the future in the centre of defence or keep faith with Yoshida.

One of the the things we know about Ronald Koeman is that he is not afraid to give youth a chance, he seems to be able to spot something in a player and indeed inspire that confidence in them to step up to the plate as was shown in the number of young Feyenoord players who have been in the Dutch squad recently.

Last week with new signing Florin Gardos injured Koeman went for the experienced by putting in Yoshida in the centre of defence, with respect to the Japanese International in his two years at the club he has hardly set the world alight, at times he looks competent enough, but there always seems to be part of the game where he is caught napping, it may only be the odd moment but it can often be costly.

Jack Stephens could be said to be the forgotten man at St Mary's, he arrived in April 2011 from Plymouth as a hot prospect, having only just turned 17 he had already played in the Plymouth first team and with Saints heading into the Championship there were those that thought he might make his breakthrough in 2011/12.

Instead he sunk into the background, as Saints stormed to promotion they bought in Jos Hooiveld and apart from a 3 minute cameo appearance at the end of Saints FA Cup win that season at Coventry City he never got near the first team again.

At the end of last season he went on loan to Swindon Town and in 10 games impressed, so much so that the Swindon manager Mark Cooper was very public in wanting to try and get him back for this season, however after our friendly up there his tune changed and he intimated that Stephens might be more of a part of Koeman's plans than he had been of his predecessor.

Last week at Liverpool Stephens was sat on the bench and that was a significant gesture from Koeman, yes it isnt uncommon to have an extra defender on the bench in an away game with Saints also having Jos Hooiveld, but it showed that Stephens is in Koeman's thinking, if the Dutch manager did not rate Stephens then with Wanyama and Cork also able to play in the centre of defence he could have made do with just the one central defender in reserve.

So as he approaches 21 its a big season for Stephens and it seems that under Ronald Koeman he might just get his chance, whether it will be against West Bromwich Albion remains to be seen, perhaps the manager would have preferred to get a real look at him in a competitive game in the Capital One up first, so in that respect this game might just be a week too soon for Stephens.

As a player Stephens seems to fit the Koeman blueprint in that he is able to play in a variety of positions including right back, given that Stephens is noted for his speed and mobility that might perhaps persuade Koeman that the time to give the youngster a debut is fast looming.

Photo: Action Images

Zambucco added 10:22 - Aug 22 I saw him play in a couple of the friendlies and I liked what I saw. He had a calm confidence, looked very strong and sure footed. I think he should get the nod ahead of Yoshida and Hooiveld.
1

BaselSaint added 11:09 - Aug 22 Bring him on! Especially if we are reasonably comfortable during the game. Can start next time
1

ChristchurchSaint added 12:19 - Aug 22 Give him a game! If he is not ready at 20, then when will he be ready? I'm sure that RoKo would not play him if he was not confident that he would be ok and with all due respect to WBA, it is probably a good game to give him a chance. Surely it is better to blend him in now, so that if we did need hm on a regular basis due to injuries or suspensions, he would feel comfortable at the expectations.

1

EasternSaint added 12:38 - Aug 22 Don't know too much about Stephen's, although I hear great things bout him. Only minus is that if they drop Yoshida then I really think he will leave as he needs game time to keep his place in the Japanese side. Then there won't be many live Saints games on Sky TV here!!
0

WestSussexSaint added 12:46 - Aug 22 It is the sort of fixture that should be used to give experience to someone like Jack as based on last season I dont expect West Brom to carry much attacking threat.
0

SaintDownUnder added 13:08 - Aug 22 I hear Liverpool are about to launch a $20mil bid for him......
1

BoondockSaint added 14:05 - Aug 22 If Scousehampton wanted a crazy Italian, why didn't they tell us? We have one available!
0

tiptop added 22:00 - Aug 22 Cant see him starting. If Gardos is on the bench the first hurdle of leapfrogging JH. Hope he's good enough...
1

degoodyer added 11:17 - Aug 23 If Jack is selected he will not let us down I have known Jack for a few years now and he calm under pressure he will give instruction and encourage others around him he started as a central midfielder in his younger days so can also be used as a holding player or as used at Swindon in a back three being able to bring ball out of defence and setting up moves.
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Burton Albion Polls