Stephens insists Southampton have not committed to style in defeats

Southampton gifted two goals to Brentford in a 3-1 defeat on Saturday having done the same against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

Stephens suggested some players may be feeling a degree of nerves upon stepping up to the Premier League before insisting they need to play with confidence. 

The 30 year old stressed the importance of playing with belief and thinks their fortunes will improve once the squad do that.

He said: "I don't think we've really committed to it in the three games. The first 30 minutes at Newcastle were excellent.

Jack Stephens has played every minute in the Premier League so far (Image: PA)
"We were really confident and picked up from where we left off last year but for some reason, we just didn't carry that on into Forest or Brentford.

"I think that's just on us. We just need to have a bit more belief in what we're doing because we've seen we're very good at it when we do it with intensity and the right mentality.

"It works. I think we just need to really believe in it and that's what will help us. Maybe it's just a little bit of anxiety with how the results have gone so far. We have been punished for our mistakes.

"Maybe it is a little bit of anxiety but we just need to push that to one side and believe in what we're doing. It's important for us just to really believe in it."

Southampton's tendency to concede goals in quick succession reared its head at Brentford when Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa scored within five minutes of each other.

"The three goals are really poor from our point of view. Ultimately, it just gives us too much to do. When we get the goal in the end, it's just too little too late," he added.

"That's obviously on us as players and individuals. We need to iron those mistakes out because, at this level, you just get punished.

"It's difficult to look at the positives now because we've played three games and we have zero points.

Southampton's Jack Stephens has played every minute in the league this season (Image: Stuart Martin)
"Our strength last year was the togetherness of the group. We went through difficult moments last year at a similar time of year as well.

"We need to show what we're capable of and that we are capable of competing at this level, which I know we are. We need to go and show that after the break.

"When you are on a sticky run you want to play games to put things right but maybe it will do us well to have a few weeks to work on what we are doing wrong."

Southampton added three players on deadline day - Aaron Ramsdale, Ryan Fraser and Maxwel Cornet - taking their summer spending over £100million.

The trio add plenty of Premier League experience having made a combined 374 appearances in the division.

"Ramsdale comes in with great experience. Same with Wee Man and Maxwel as well," Stephens concluded. 

"They are really good lads as well to come into the dressing room, which is obviously really important and something that the club's got spot on over the last 12 months.

"They are three very good additions and I'm sure they'll help us massively on and off the pitch."