Southampton manager Russell Martin was joined by club captain Jack Stephens, CEO Phil Parsons and Performance Director Mark Bitcon as the four key figures took questions from Saints fans at the fan forum on Monday night.
It is rare that football fans get the opportunity to directly ask questions to the decision makers at the club and Southampton fans took their opportunity to grill Russell Martin, Jack Stephens and co.
Unsurprisingly, one of the main points of interest was transfers and what funds Southampton have available to improve the squad ahead of the end of transfer window, with attacking reinforcements desperately needed.
Phil Parsons fielded these questions with honesty as he spoke about the investment that Sport Republic have made since taking over the club in 2022, as well as explaining Southampton’s current financial situation.
However, there were a number of lighter notes at the forum and one came when discussing the possibility of a testimonial for Stephens.
Southampton fans asks whether Jack Stephens will get Southampton testimonial
Stephens has now been at the Saints for 13 years, having joined from Plymouth Argyle in 2011.
Affectionately nicknamed the ‘Cornish Maldini’, the 30-year-old has not always been a key member of the side and was even allowed to spend the 2022/23 season on loan at Bournemouth.
Southampton suffered relegation whilst Stephens was at the Cherries but he returned with the mission of helping the club return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
He was handed the captain’s armband by Martin last summer and showed real leadership qualities as he helped Southampton to an instant top flight return via the play-offs.
His years of service led to one fan asking whether there were plans afoot for a testimonial for the Saints skipper, who was himself quick to talk down the proposition.
CEO Parsons was did suggest that this is something that is being discussed, with Southampton fans expected to be given the opportunity to show their appreciation for their captain in the future.
Russell Martin responds to Stephens Southampton position remark
After starting last season in the side, Stephens suffered an injury that saw him miss the majority of the first half of the campaign.
In that time, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jan Bednarek formed a decent partnership at the heart of the defence but Martin was keen to finding a place in the side for his captain upon his return.
This led to some experimentation, with Stephens playing a number of roles amid fans fearing him being shoe-horned into the team was disruptive for the side.
One of those positions was left-back, and host Adam Blackmore chimed in after the question on the testimonial was asked to jokingly comment to Stephens: “As long as you’re not playing left back alright.”
Martin clapped back instantly, sarcastically disregarding the comment as he responded: “Yeah, because that went really badly last season, mate.”
Fans should not read too much into the tongue-in-cheek exchange, but ultimately the proof is in the pudding and Martin’s tactics were vindicated as he guided Southampton into the Premier League.