SAINTS don’t need to spend large amounts of money to bolster their squad.

With academy graduates like Yan Valery, Kayne Ramsay and Marcus Barnes being given a chance under boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, the future is looking bright.

And forking out a few million here and there on transfers, won’t necessary accumulate to success.

This is the view of defender Jack Stephens, who knows what it’s like to be given a chance in the first team.

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Saints youngster Yan Valery

Stephens, 24, came through the ranks at Plymouth Argyle before being snapped up by Saints for a meagre £150,000.

The centre-back came to national prominence with his performance in the EFL Cup semi-final against Liverpool in 2017 and believes the opportunities Saints give its young players is worth more than a new signing.

“For a player it’s difficult when players are getting bought in and bought in and I think we have shown in the past few weeks I think we have shown we’ve got some great young players at the club,” revealed Stephens.

“They’ve been given their chance and showing that it works. Sometimes spending the money does work and fans love a new signing.

“It’s what excited the fans, but there are some really good young players coming through.

“I think it’s important to remember that they need that opportunity and at this club we are lucky to get the opportunity.

“Some clubs don’t do it like that, and that’s fair enough, but it’s good we get that opportunity here.”

With Maya Yoshida away with Japan at the Asian Cup, Stephens has been given his chance by Hasenhuttl to join Jan Bednarek and Jannik Vestergaard at the back.

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Jack Stephens in action against Leicester

But the latest influx of youngsters has meant a slight change in his role within the squad.

Given that he turns 25 next week, the defender has started to share his own experiences with the players trying to take his spot in the side.

Stephens added: “It’s definitely nice to see though. It’s great to see the young players getting opportunities and I do try and help them as much as possible because I’m still young myself.

“I know what it’s like coming into the first team environment and getting that opportunity. It’s nerve-wracking.

“It’s important to remind them how they got to this stage and for them to just enjoy the occasions.

“I think every young player that’s played this season has definitely held their own and are standing up to the task.”

Despite the advice he gives them, Stephens knows he’s had to up his own performances in order to beat the competition.

“It’s a little bit like that, but that’s football in general,” he continued.

“There is always someone coming for your space. If you’re in the team, there is always someone that wants your position.

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Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl

“You want to take someone else’s position. It’s a team game but you want to be selfish and play yourself.

“There is always that competition and none more so than amongst the young lads.”

Since Hasenhuttl arrived at Saints in December, they’ve had an eight-point swing on Cardiff and now find themselves 15th in the Premier League.

Much has been made of the intensity that the Austrian demands from his players in training, but the results on the pitch are there for everyone to see.

By winning four top-flight games, he’s already quadrupled the tally Mark Hughes managed from the first 14 matches of the season.

“It’s hard work, but that’s what we are here for,” Stephens added when asked to explain a typical training session.

“We are here to work hard. It’s our job to come in every day and work hard and if you don’t want to do that then you are in the wrong profession.

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Former manager Mark Hughes

“It’s enjoyable. Training is high intensity, it’s a bit frantic sometimes, but it’s enjoyable. It’s great to come in every day because everyone is smiling, and I think you’re seeing that with results on the pitch.”

The players also seem to be benefitting from Hasenhuttl’s hands-on approach to management.

Saints now cross the white line with a clear tactical plan in their mind.

But even with the recent success, Stephens isn’t getting carried away.

He added: “Every manager is different. They all have different styles and different ways of doing things.

“Since the gaffer has come in, he speaks to the players all the time and we have got an idea of what he wants us to do out of possession and in possession.

“I think you can see on the pitch that we are all on the same page and that’s what is getting us results.

“It’s just about carrying on and getting good results. We can’t just sit back and think that we’ve cracked it because we haven’t.

“We have a long way to go, so we need to keep working hard and keep doing what the manager tells us to do.”

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Stephens after missing a good chance against Everton

The stream of communication between management and players is a lot more frequent now than it was at the beginning of the season. However, Stephens believes Hasenhuttl has found the perfect balance between overbearing and informative.

“I don’t think you need someone talking to you every single day telling you what to do.

“We are professional footballers, this is our job and we know the basics about football.

“But when the manager is giving you little pointers, a help in the right direction, it’s definitely nice and that’s what he’s done.

“He’s made sure every player knows what they’re doing and that’s important as a player.”