Jack Stephens

[vectraman]

I genuinely (although foolishly) thought Jack and Will Smallbone are both out of contract in a years time, they’d stay this season, help get us promoted as the championship is their level, and we would say thanks, go find yourself new clubs next summer.

But no. We give Jack a 3 year contract. WTAF are they doing? He is not good enough in the top flight.  So we are stuck with him for another 3 years. 
Genuinely you couldn’t make it up. I am at a loss to see how the club management see this as the way forward. 🤡’s. 

Edited yesterday at 15:59 by vectraman

[SW11_Saint]

10 minutes ago, vectraman said:

I genuinely (although foolishly) thought Jack and Will Smallbone are both out of contract in a years time, they’d stay this season, help get us promoted as the championship is their level, and we would say thanks, go find yourself new clubs next summer.

But no. We give Jack a 3 year contract. WTAF are they doing? He is not good enough in the top flight.  So we are stuck with him for another 3 years. 
Genuinely you couldn’t make it up. I am at a loss to see how the club management see this as the way forward. 🤡’s. 

You understand that few players see out their contracts, right? 

[BarberSaint]

SPORS OUT

[SW11_Saint]

Great news. Jack’s leadership, experience, passion & commitment will be crucial next season 👊😇Delighted he’s staying. 

[BarberSaint]

5 hours ago, Greenridge said:

It's like a new signing....

 

 

An absolutely dog shit one.

[BarberSaint]

5 hours ago, sad saints fan said:

Why not? 

Because ... oh why bother? If you really don't know that and you're not being a WUM, I suggest you take up watching another sport. Like trainspotting or something.

[stknowle]

Sometimes you really really want to see the back of a player. This is one of those times. Feel the same about Bednarek and he’s a far better player. They’ve just been hanging around too fucking long and we need a reboot. Now this! 🤦‍♂️ 

[vectraman]

18 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

You understand that few players see out their contracts, right? 

Yes, and as a player in his last year of contract I was rather hoping that as we are trying to reduce squad size and move the dead wood on, that he would either leave for peanuts to a lower championship side, or play this coming season and we aren’t renewing his contract. Easy. 
KWP wouldn’t sign a new deal but he has been a fantastic servant and will find himself a new club and tidy signing on fee, because he is going to be wanted. Stephens was/is unlikely to be wanted by anyone, so why the hell give him a 3 year deal. He is absolutely the type of player that we should have let go. 
IMHO of course.

Edited yesterday at 16:27 by vectraman

[SW11_Saint]

The disrespect for Jack on here is quite astounding / depressing, though sadly predictable. 

I’m delighted about this. We need character and leadership - even when he’s not playing. He gives a shit about the club. All of those things negate the odd ricket for me. Having him in and around the squad will help our young players, and Will Still I suspect. 
 

Perhaps folks need to go and watch his post-match Wembley interview to remind themselves what this club means to him. Give me 5 JS’s for every one ‘ABK-style star signing’ who is here for  career progression and career progression alone. 

 

Edited yesterday at 16:20 by SW11_Saint

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

The disrespect for Jack on here is quite astounding / depressing, though sadly predictable. 

I’m delighted about this. We need character and leadership - even when he’s not playing. He gives a shit about the club. All of those things negate the odd ricket for me. Having him in and around the squad will help our young players, and Will Still I suspect. 
 

Perhaps folks need to go and watch his post-match Wembley interview to remind themselves what this club means to him. Give me 5 JS’s for every one ‘ABK-style star signing’ who is here for  career progression and career progression alone. 

 

You do know it is not a choice between JS and ABK

 

 

[Weston Super Saint]

3 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

. Having him in and around the squad will help our young players, and Will Still I suspect. 

 

Weren't similar things said about Lallana last season?

Didn't work out too well.

[chivvy]

Absolutely ridiculous decision..

Waste of money ..

He must talk and incredible game

Edited yesterday at 16:26 by chivvy

[SW11_Saint]

Just now, Weston Super Saint said:

Weren't similar things said about Lallana last season?

Didn't work out too well.

Possibly. And he’s still here, so guess it was the case. 

[Roboze]

I was having a shite day, then got home and saw this! hide the cutlery!!

[SW11_Saint]

3 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

You do know it is not a choice between JS and ABK

 

 

You do know how to read an analogy and not take it literally? 

[AlexLaw76]

4 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

You do know how to read an analogy and not take it literally? 

But it is ridiculous, we can (and should) choose to have neither 

Edited yesterday at 16:31 by AlexLaw76

[Chez]

4 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

It's akin to giving McCarthy such a ridiculously long contract last time. Absolutely baffling. 

It's very similar. Very baffling.

I sometimes think management overplays the need ofr old heads, experience, dressing room voices etc. IMO management sometimes needs to take a step back and just see what fans see - performances on the pitch, or lack of them - as ultimately that is what really matters. If Still had done that, he'd of found a player not up to the task, which is to get us promoted and keep us up.

I thought the new management might have the advantage of not having a long relationship with players and thus be able to judge them on performances alone. Looks like that is not the case and they have gone for some sort of "safe" route of giving an older player they can "trust" a long contract. Why on earth not see what he can do in pre season or even this season and then make a decision next summer.  If he chooses to leave, so what? 

[Suhari]

He's shit.

Very, very average at Championship level; woeful in the Prem.

Sums up the dismal state of our defensive options for the past few years. Really hoped we'd get rid this window.

"Leadership"? Fuck off.

[SW11_Saint]

9 minutes ago, vectraman said:

Yes, and as a player in his last year of contract I was rather hoping that as we are trying to reduce squad size and move the dead wood on, that he would either leave for peanuts to a lower championship side, or play this coming season and we aren’t renewing his contract. Easy. 
KWP wouldn’t sign a new deal but he has been a fantastic servant and will find himself a new club and tidy signing on fee, because he is going to be wanted. Stephens was/is unlikely to be wanted by anyone, so why the he’ll give him a 3 year deal. He is absolutely the type of player that we should have let go. 
IMHO of course.

You don’t think JS has been a good club servant? We are in the Championship, we don’t know the terms he was offered (lower wages I’d assume). He’s more than able to perform in this league and help those coming through develop. Experience, wise heads, vocal dressing room presences, combative spirit are all useful commodities, abs for me worth the investment. 
 

Three years gives him security and ensures a fee - albeit small - when he moves on. No brainer for me. 
 

 

 

[Weston Super Saint]

6 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

Possibly. And he’s still here, so guess it was the case. 

Really?

Which of our young players were helped last season - even Dibling fell off a cliff in the second half of the season and he was being 'helped' by Lallana and Cap'n Jack!

[Willo of Whiteley]

You can’t fault Jack Stephens love for the club, nothing wrong with that, the problem is the ability to step up as a leader.

He is too easily riled up and prone to errors. He can’t pin that on his former managers.

Club captain, fine. But being on the pitch, no.

[Fabrice29]

1 minute ago, SW11_Saint said:

You don’t think JS has been a good club servant? We are in the Championship, we don’t know the terms he was offered (lower wages I’d assume). He’s more than able to perform in this league and help those coming through develop. Experience, wise heads, vocal dressing room presences, combative spirit are all useful commodities, abs for me worth the investment. 
 

Three years gives him security and ensures a fee - albeit small - when he moves on. No brainer for me. 
 

 

 

I'd be shocked if someone is signing him in the future.

Not overly chuffed with the decision but seeing as quite a few managers in a row now have hinted at Stephens being one of few "leaders" "voices" in the dressing room then it feels fine. Probably an area we should be addressing though. Bit of personality as Nathan Jones would say.

[gsweet87]

I felt like everything was going so well, then this notification popped up on my phone.

[SW11_Saint]

2 minutes ago, Chez said:

It's very similar. Very baffling.

I sometimes think management overplays the need ofr old heads, experience, dressing room voices etc. IMO management sometimes needs to take a step back and just see what fans see - performances on the pitch, or lack of them - as ultimately that is what really matters. If Still had done that, he'd of found a player not up to the task, which is to get us promoted and keep us up.

I thought the new management might have the advantage of not having a long relationship with players and thus be able to judge them on performances alone. Looks like that is not the case and they have gone for some sort of "safe" route of giving an older player they can "trust" a long contract. Why on earth not see what he can do in pre season or even this season and then make a decision next summer.  If he chooses to leave, so what? 

Which is why they are experienced profession football manager and we are not…

Any business needs the right mix of personalities, potential and experience. I trust Spors/Still have factored all of this in.

‘Violinists & roadsweepers’ McMeneny used to call it. But hey, what did he know…

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

Which is why they are experienced profession football manager and we are not…

Any business needs the right mix of personalities, potential and experience. I trust Spors/Still have factored all of this in.

‘Violinists & roadsweepers’ McMeneny used to call it. But hey, what did he know…

Clubs and staff do get it wrong you know. After all, we signed BBD and played him LW in a team trying to be peak Barcelona

Edited yesterday at 16:40 by AlexLaw76

[Chez]

13 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

Having him in and around the squad will help our young players, and Will Still I suspect. 

We pay managers a shit load to look after young players. We also have a load of coaches to educate and motivate. 

 

 

 

[SW11_Saint]

11 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

You can’t fault Jack Stephens love for the club, nothing wrong with that, the problem is the ability to step up as a leader.

He is too easily riled up and prone to errors. He can’t pin that on his former managers.

Club captain, fine. But being on the pitch, no.

He’s always been a leader. Hot headed at times? Sure. Capable of an infuriating ricket? 💯 Not our most skilled defender? Absolutely. 
 

Then there’s this… which our bunch of lily-livered nice boys lack dreadfully. 
 

(I’m not expecting him to play every game, but as I peruse our squad list and think “who would I want in the trenches with me?” It’s Jack every time.). 

Edited yesterday at 16:45 by SW11_Saint

[Gloucester Saint]

24 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

The disrespect for Jack on here is quite astounding / depressing, though sadly predictable. 

I’m delighted about this. We need character and leadership - even when he’s not playing. He gives a shit about the club. All of those things negate the odd ricket for me. Having him in and around the squad will help our young players, and Will Still I suspect. 
 

Perhaps folks need to go and watch his post-match Wembley interview to remind themselves what this club means to him. Give me 5 JS’s for every one ‘ABK-style star signing’ who is here for  career progression and career progression alone. 

 

He didn’t need to be given a 3 year deal though at his age and level of ability. An extra year I could’ve lived with but three is the same drunken common sense which influenced Forster’s mammoth extension, Carrillo, and Nathan Jones.

[SW11_Saint]

3 minutes ago, Chez said:

We pay managers a shit load to look after young players. We also have a load of coaches to educate and motivate. 

 

 

 

🫣

[hypochondriac]

16 minutes ago, Chez said:

It's very similar. Very baffling.

I sometimes think management overplays the need ofr old heads, experience, dressing room voices etc. IMO management sometimes needs to take a step back and just see what fans see - performances on the pitch, or lack of them - as ultimately that is what really matters. If Still had done that, he'd of found a player not up to the task, which is to get us promoted and keep us up.

I thought the new management might have the advantage of not having a long relationship with players and thus be able to judge them on performances alone. Looks like that is not the case and they have gone for some sort of "safe" route of giving an older player they can "trust" a long contract. Why on earth not see what he can do in pre season or even this season and then make a decision next summer.  If he chooses to leave, so what? 

I agree with you. I reckon had this situation arisen a year or two ago that most fans wouldn't have minded. The fact that 90% of fans reckon this is a bad move shows that they've been worn down by the shite last year and aren't in the mood to give the benefit of the doubt anymore. Spors and Co better know what they are doing because if these key decisions backfire I don't think there will be patience. 

[Chez]

5 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

Which is why they are experienced profession football manager and we are not…

Any business needs the right mix of personalities, potential and experience. I trust Spors/Still have factored all of this in.

‘Violinists & roadsweepers’ McMeneny used to call it. But hey, what did he know…

'Violinists and roadsweepers' refers to the need for both flair players and worker types, nothing to do with having young and old players.

You have a point though. Stephens is a committed Saint and deserves better than having fools like me questioning his value. It's done now and lets hope he is lifting the Championship trophy next spring, 
 

[Gloucester Saint]

55 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Another £4m-£6m at least going to the shoe-horn

marvellous 

Bear that in mind and refer back next time the club says ‘we have no money. 

[Saint_clark]

5 hours ago, Colinjb said:

Says a lot about the player, who has been a very loyal servant that i'm dissapointed he has signed a new contract.

Sad isn't it really. I also feel bad for him looking at the reaction from the fans all over social media, can't be nice for him or his family but...it isn't unexpected.

[SW11_Saint]

2 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

He didn’t need to be given a 3 year deal though at his age and level of ability. An extra year I could’ve lived with but three is the same drunken common sense which influenced Forster’s mammoth extension, Carrillo, and Nathan Jones.

Guessing you know the terms he’s on? 

Jack is no Carrillo, and won’t be in anywhere near his money. 

If we go up, I suspect he’ll move on. If we don’t, who knows. 

The dissing of a great club servant (not from you btw) is quite depressing tbh. 

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, SW11_Saint said:

Guessing you know the terms he’s on? 

Jack is no Carrillo, and won’t be in anywhere near his money. 

If we go up, I suspect he’ll move on. If we don’t, who knows. 

The dissing of a great club servant (not from you btw) is quite depressing tbh. 

How do you know how much he is on?

are you Jack Stephens?

[SW11_Saint]

3 minutes ago, Chez said:

'Violinists and roadsweepers' refers to the need for both flair players and worker types, nothing to do with having young and old players.

You have a point though. Stephens is a committed Saint and deserves better than having fools like me questioning his value. It's done now and lets hope he is lifting the Championship trophy next spring, 
 

But I’d argue Jack is both (older and a worker), hence the use. 

[Gloucester Saint]

5 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

He doesn't need a contract until 2028 to play for us in the Championship next season. They could leave it how it was. He isn't good enough after another promotion.

☝️ and moreover he wouldn’t be good enough for the Championship by 2028 either, not even sure he would be by 2026 let alone a first choice and skipper. 

[SW11_Saint]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

How do you know how much he is on?

are you Jack Stephens?

No, I’m his agent. 

[Gloucester Saint]

3 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

Guessing you know the terms he’s on? 

Jack is no Carrillo, and won’t be in anywhere near his money. 

If we go up, I suspect he’ll move on. If we don’t, who knows. 

The dissing of a great club servant (not from you btw) is quite depressing tbh. 

It’s nothing against Jack, although his behaviour on the pitch was totally unacceptable last season even when there were so many others stinking the place out, people are reacting to a piss poor business decision based on football logic. Year extension, fair enough. Three, seriously Spors?

Edited yesterday at 16:57 by Gloucester Saint

[Saint_clark]

2 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

Guessing you know the terms he’s on? 

Jack is no Carrillo, and won’t be in anywhere near his money. 

If we go up, I suspect he’ll move on. If we don’t, who knows. 

The dissing of a great club servant (not from you btw) is quite depressing tbh. 

I think you're in for a shock mate, I reckon he'd be getting closer to £100,000 a week at this point than you realise. 

[Saint_clark]

Just now, Saint_clark said:

I think you're in for a shock mate, I reckon he'd be getting closer to £100,000 a week at this point than you realise. 

 

2 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

No, I’m his agent. 

Oh, maybe not much of a surprise then.

[Gloucester Saint]

9 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

I agree with you. I reckon had this situation arisen a year or two ago that most fans wouldn't have minded. The fact that 90% of fans reckon this is a bad move shows that they've been worn down by the shite last year and aren't in the mood to give the benefit of the doubt anymore. Spors and Co better know what they are doing because if these key decisions backfire I don't think there will be patience. 

It’s a pity as some credit had finally been built up a bit with the Sulemana and Onachu sales. Impressive work there repairing Rasmus’s disasters.

It’s taken any shine off Downs signing, feel a bit sorry for him. Spors and his team need the best window since 2014 and 2015 now to restore some faith.

[SW11_Saint]

17 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Clubs and staff do get it wrong you know. After all, we signed BBD and played him LW in a team trying to be peak Barcelona

We get it wrong more than we get it right most of the time. But I just don’t see this as a surprise (he was kit launch model!) or a massive gamble. I think it’s a. Eminently sensible move, and said as soon as the season ended that I would do the same. 
 

Everyone can have opinions, but the disrespect for him on here, given who he is and how he feels about the club is what irks and depresses me. If we’d offered Sulemana a 3 year deal I’d be apoplectic, but not Jack.  

[Chez]

 

1 minute ago, SW11_Saint said:

But I’d argue Jack is both (older and a worker), hence the use. 

You misunderstood the phrase, which is about having both water carriers and creative types. It has nothing to do with having a blend of youth and experience, which is what the discussion was about. Besides, he's a CB. Not sure any CBs can be described as violinists, so we could have any CB in the side and that would give us a roadsweeper. 

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, SW11_Saint said:

We get it wrong more than we get it right most of the time. But I just don’t see this as a surprise (he was kit launch model!) or a massive gamble. I think it’s a. Eminently sensible move, and said as soon as the season ended that I would do the same. 
 

Everyone can have opinions, but the disrespect for him on here, given who he is and how he feels about the club is what irks and depresses me. If we’d offered Sulemana a 3 year deal I’d be apoplectic, but not Jack.  

Disrespect? get over it.

No one, I can see at least, is being personal. People are commenting on his ability, which after all, is his comodity.

 

[Saint_clark]

1 minute ago, SW11_Saint said:

We get it wrong more than we get it right most of the time. But I just don’t see this as a surprise (he was kit launch model!) or a massive gamble. I think it’s a. Eminently sensible move, and said as soon as the season ended that I would do the same. 
 

Everyone can have opinions, but the disrespect for him on here, given who he is and how he feels about the club is what irks and depresses me. If we’d offered Sulemana a 3 year deal I’d be apoplectic, but not Jack.  

Come on mate. A one year extension sure. A three year extension is either an acceptance we aren't going up soon or a worrying sign that we still think he's capable at Prem level.

[S-Clarke]

43 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

The disrespect for Jack on here is quite astounding / depressing, though sadly predictable. 

I’m delighted about this. We need character and leadership - even when he’s not playing. He gives a shit about the club. All of those things negate the odd ricket for me. Having him in and around the squad will help our young players, and Will Still I suspect. 
 

Perhaps folks need to go and watch his post-match Wembley interview to remind themselves what this club means to him. Give me 5 JS’s for every one ‘ABK-style star signing’ who is here for  career progression and career progression alone. 

 

I keep seeing this flogged out, ''we need more of his type''  ''we've had so few committed players over the last few years''

Let's not forget who has been front and fricking centre for the last few years? Jack bloody Stephens.

Who showed the most ridiculous level of leadership and braindeadness last season when he got sent off and suspended for ages?

The bloke has always been a liability for us, that didn't change even if we were in the Champ.

To be honest the talk of him being a good lad is pretty pointless if it still contributes us to declining at a rapid rate.

You cannot deny that this guy has been a massive part of our decline over many seasons. It's not all on him, it would be harsh to say that, but he has been front and centre of this shit fest and I really hoped we'd use this summer as an opportunity to do away with these sorts.

This is a total brain dead decision by those now in charge at the club, and it's really put me on a downer as I'd hoped we had people in charge who now knew what they were doing. Seemingly we still don't.

[Chez]

1 minute ago, SW11_Saint said:

I think it’s a. Eminently sensible move

Would it not have been more sensible to wait until the end of next season and offer a contract based on his performance and the league we are in?

[Gloucester Saint]

5 minutes ago, Chez said:

 

You misunderstood the phrase, which is about having both water carriers and creative types. It has nothing to do with having a blend of youth and experience, which is what the discussion was about. Besides, he's a CB. Not sure any CBs can be described as violinists, so we could have any CB in the side and that would give us a roadsweeper. 

You are right though Chez, they’ve done it now so we just have to cross our fingers that it turns out ok. The club have put a lot of pressure on themselves though, the next couple of incomings need to be impressive XI starters and any key players going require high quality replacements for this level be it permanent or on loan. No more scope for ‘projects’ having put themselves on a yellow card.

Edited yesterday at 17:09 by Gloucester Saint

[Chez]

1 minute ago, S-Clarke said:

I keep seeing this flogged out, ''we need more of his type''  ''we've had so few committed players over the last few years''

Let's not forget who has been front and fricking centre for the last few years? Jack bloody Stephens.

Who showed the most ridiculous level of leadership and braindeadness last season when he got sent off and suspended for ages?

The bloke has always been a liability for us, that didn't change even if we were in the Champ.

To be honest the talk of him being a good lad is pretty pointless if it still contributes us to declining at a rapid rate.

You cannot deny that this guy has been a massive part of our decline over many seasons. It's not all on him, it would be harsh to say that, but he has been front and centre of this shit fest and I really hoped we'd use this summer as an opportunity to do away with these sorts.

This is a total brain dead decision by those now in charge at the club, and it's really put me on a downer as I'd hoped we had people in charge who now knew what they were doing. Seemingly we still don't.

How has Will Still come to the conclusion that he's worthy of a three year deal? He's not even seen him play yet.