Southampton have been quietly underwhelming this campaign and under manager Claude Puel, some supporters here in the Tavern might have expected better at times this season.
The Saints are back in action against Spurs next weekend in a must-win game that might seem them make some ground as they look to battle for a Europa League place.
Still, with Everton coasting to victory over West Brom, the gap has been widened even further and it might prove tricky to get European football as a result of the league this season.
Whilst Puel’s side haven’t been poor by any means this season, they’ve got some cracking players and should perhaps be closer to sixth place than lurking in tenth.
And there’s a definite feeling amongst some of their supporters here in the pub that some individuals have been underperforming at times this season and don’t deserve their place in the XI for the rest of the campaign.
So with that in mind, here’s 2 Southampton stars that should be axed for the rest of the Premier League run-in…
Jack Stephens
Young centre-back Jack Stephens has really stepped up over the past couple of months after Southampton lost a host of players to transfers and injuries.
But with seasoned veteran Martin Caceres now waiting in the wings and up-to-speed after an extended break, there’s thought here in the Tavern that Stephens should be given a breather.
Caceres has a whole wealth of Champions League and international experience and should be ready to go in the coming days. Puel must utilise the whole of his squad if his team are to find any success in the Premier League run-in.
Shane Long
Shane Long has been fantastic at most of the club’s he’s been at around the country but there’s little doubting Manolo Gabbiadini and Nathan Redmond are certainly the key men for the Saints at the moment.
The pairing have been lethal over the past few weeks and unfortunately for the Irishman, he might have just been ousted from the Saints first-team for good when the Italian arrived in January.
Supporters are grateful for the work he’s done over the past couple of years but in terms of quality, he’s not the man to lead the Southampton line at the moment.
