Same here. I thiought he'd missed his chance but seems to have overtaken Turnbull in the pecking order.
Having lost the last game and wanting a win, I think Koeman will go for tried and tested and stick with Maya. Stephens may be making his way in, but is Koeman a real risk taker. Remember that giving a debut to a player also requires a different mind set from the other defenders. Too many changes, too soon may not be a risk Koeman wants to take at this time. Maya made mistakes, but all players do that...was he useless, no! Not long to find out though.
I'd like to see what Stephens can do but agree Maya was pretty sound last week so its a difficult choice. I'm sure Stephens will play against Millwall though.
Samaras to be on the bench tomorrow then? But now getting a feeling Shane will score against his old club
He was probably our worst player, particularly in the 1st half. Having said that he is seriously short of top level match time, he pretty much didn't play last season. So I would expect him to improve game on game, if Koeman drops him for Stephens it speaks volumes though.
I think that Maya is one of those players who takes a few games to hit his stride, but once he gets there he is actually a pretty solid defender.
big vic soothes me [video=youtube;_tX6eYU8lrg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tX6eYU8lrg&feature=youtu.be[/video]
Got my tickets- I am STOKED for this one. ----------Forster------------------- Clyne----Fonte----maya----Bertrand ------Big vic-----Schneiderlin Davis-----JWP-------Tadic -------Pelle----------------------- Bench- SKD, Hoiveld, Stephens, Cork, Taider, Long, Isgrove My rationale; Cannot drop davis on the back of one mediocre performance with new team mates against arsenal- would like to drop him for long but think that would be too negative. Long to come on at 60m to use his pace to rinse a tiring defence. I would like to run a top 3 of Long, Tadic, Pelle- pace, technical ability and presence.
Thought this would be of interest regards Pelle. http://thepremierleagueowl.com/player-to-watch-this-weekend-southamptons-graziano-pelle/
3-0 Saints as we are better than I thought we would be. Btw have you seen WBA run in? Horrendous if they don't have the points in the bag.
A couple of years ago when I saw JWP, Shaw, Chambers & Stephens play in pre-season matches I thought Stephens looked a decent prospect and I had him ahead of Chambers in terms of ability. I see very little academy football so can't comment on his progress but know he has played mainly in central defence and occasional in central midfield. I'm sure the experience at Swindon would have done him good, but I expect him to figure against Millwall. If Gardos is fit to be on the bench it will be interesting to see if Hooiveld or Stephens makes way.
Someone posted this on saintsweb, thought I would share it here. Interesting read; http://thepremierleagueowl.com/player-to-watch-this-weekend-southamptons-graziano-pelle/
