SOUTHAMPTON skipper Jack Stephens insists the club’s four-point deduction for spying on rivals has fired him up to “put things right”.
Saints will start the season with work to do just to get back to zero, but they are laser-focused on promotion three months after Spygate saw them booted out of the play-offs.
Jack Stephens says Southampton can use their points deduction to fuel their promotion push Credit: Getty
Southampton admitted to spying on three teams last seasonCredit: Refer to source
Manager Tonda Eckert admitted he was responsible for the snooping missions, and charged him for “bringing the game into disrepute”.
The German boss, 33, and still faces the possibility of a touchline ban – but will go again after retaining the backing of Southampton owner Dragan Solak.
And now Stephens is desperate to achieve what was painfully snatched away from Saints in May.
He told SunSport: “The way the season ended was disappointing for everyone involved.
“It was important for everyone to get away, clear their heads, forget about what happened and come back with a clean slate, fully focused on this season.
“We’ve all come back with a mindset that we want to get promoted. We felt like we deserved it last season but that counts for nothing. We need to go and prove it this season.
“We’re not starting from scratch, we’re starting from minus four. It’s going to be a little bit of an uphill task but it’s one we’re very much looking forward to.
“I’d rather not have the four points deducted but that’s where we are.
Tonda Eckert has faced death threats since Spygate erupted Credit: PA
“We have spoken about it as a group and we’re well aware of the challenge ahead. But we’re also very keen to use that to drive us forward.
“We’ve got the bit between our teeth, we want to put that right for the club.
“We’re very confident but we have to start again and use this as the driving force behind our season.”
Spygate was a chaotic end to a campaign that promised so much when Eckert masterminded a 19-match unbeaten run that took Saints from 21st to fourth in the league.
No manager in the has picked up more points than Eckert since he was appointed last December.
So for Stephens, 32, there is no question about whether the boss and the squad are strong enough to be in the mix again.
He said: “100 per cent. The evidence is there from last season.
“I’ve got no doubts that we’re going to give it absolutely everything and be very close to promotion.
“Our squad has stayed pretty much the same, in comparison to the teams who have come down from the Premier League, who have a lot to sort out with their squads.
“We’re extremely motivated to put those four points right and we want to do it as quickly as we can.”
Dragan Solak has backed Eckert to remain head coach Credit: PA
Southampton can expect a tough time from rival fans this season Credit: Getty
Eckert himself has admitted the saga and his punishment are still looming at the back of his mind – and English football fans surely won’t let him forget.
Saints would be wise to expect hostile welcomes from most grounds this season.
So it will have been a relief for Eckert and the squad to get away from it all on a trip to , where they sharpened up with friendlies against first, second and third-tier opposition.
Their first competitive assignment is against fourth-tier on Saturday, but Stephens and his team-mates are not taking their quirky start lightly.
He said: “It’s slightly different but it doesn’t really change anything for us. We’ve approached this game as an important game, which it is.
“We’re looking to go and win and get through to the next round of the cup.”
Southampton first-team players Jack Stephens, Leo Scienza and Ryan Manning joined the Senior Saints in a mobility session on Wednesday as Midnite , the official training kit partner of Southampton FC for the 2026/27 season, donated £23,000 to Saints Foundation from its season-long “Brace Yourself” campaign.
Last season’s initiative financially rewarded supporters whenever a Saints player scored twice in a home league match. Midnite continues its commitment to fans and the wider Southampton community with fan-led initiatives.
Credit: GRAHAM SCAMBLER PHOTOGRAPHY 2026
Credit: Graham Scambler
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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