A Bitter Debut for Stoke City’s Goalkeeper in the Carabao Cup

In Stoke City’s Carabao Cup match against Southampton, the team led by Narcís Pelach delivered a very inconsistent performance. The absence of Viktor Johansson proved to be a tough blow, as Jack Bonham stepped in as his replacement.

Unfortunately, Johansson’s rotation out of the lineup meant that Bonham, the 31-year-old goalkeeper, was given the starting role. Although Bonham showed positive moments, he wasn’t able to decisively stop Southampton's scoring opportunities, resulting in a 3-2 defeat for Stoke City.

Jack Bonham’s First Game of the Season with Stoke City

The 31-year-old goalkeeper finally got his first minutes of the 2024-2025 season, playing all 90 minutes against a strong Southampton side from the Premier League, a team with a fantastic roster built to compete in England’s top division. Bonham displayed some security between the posts, though inconsistently, as he made two solid saves throughout the match. He was actively involved with 39 touches, completing only 48% of his passes.

Out of 29 attempted passes, only 14 were successful in helping Stoke City build from the back, as he struggled with long balls that often failed to reach their target. Southampton capitalized on these difficulties, showing high concentration and strong competitive spirit as they sought to advance in the Carabao Cup.

The absence of Viktor Johansson was a significant setback for Stoke City. Despite Bonham’s positive performance, he still lacks the security Johansson provides in goal. The season the Swedish goalkeeper has been having is crucial for the team to secure good results. His efforts have even earned him consideration from the Swedish national team, where he continues to show great form. His absence in the Carabao Cup match came as a major surprise for The Potters' fans.

Additionally, Bonham managed four aerial clearances and made one critical save from inside the box. Despite it being his first game of the season, he responded at a high level, leaving a good impression as a reliable backup for Stoke City in what promises to be a long season.