Manager Russell Martin asserted that Jack Stephens possesses the versatility to excel in various positions, defending the decision to deploy him as a right-back in Southampton’s commanding 5-0 victory over Swansea City.
Despite being a natural center-back, Stephens seamlessly adapted to the right-sided fullback role, contributing for 70 minutes in the match. This tactical adjustment necessitated moving Kyle Walker-Peters to the wing to accommodate Stephens in the defensive setup.
Explaining his choice to feature Stephens in an unconventional position, Martin highlighted the player’s positive mentality as a decisive factor. Martin acknowledged potential concerns about adopting a back-three formation but emphasized the strategic intention to push Walker-Peters forward.
Pointing to Stephens’ previous promising moments against QPR, Martin praised his one-on-one dribbling skills, considering him one of the best in such situations.
The decision to play Stephens as a right-back was influenced by the anticipation that Swansea would not deploy a natural wide man on that side. Martin commended Stephens for his adaptability, emphasizing that the 29-year-old player expressed a willingness to contribute wherever the team needed him. Stephens’ performance on the day included completing 93% of his passes, executing two successful dribbles, and creating a scoring opportunity.
Martin expressed satisfaction with Stephens’ understanding of the team’s objectives and the importance of his mentality, especially during the Boxing Day fixture. Considering the player’s prolonged absence from the pitch, Martin opted to substitute him after 70 minutes to preserve his fitness for upcoming matches against Plymouth and Norwich.
The manager hinted at potential tactical adaptations in the future, indicating a readiness to make tweaks based on the team’s needs in upcoming fixtures.
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