NATHAN Jones admitted he was very pleased to get a “good reception” from Saints supporters at full-time on Saturday. The 2-1 win at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round win followed his side going behind inside the first 15 minutes and increased fan frustrations. On two occasions, they sang ‘Nathan Jones, your football is s***’ in almost complete unison with all of Selhurst Park hearing it clearly. James Ward-Prowse and Adam Armstrong goals eventually secured progression to the fourth round of the tournament and ended a three-match losing run. And with Saints still bottom of the Premier League, Jones was still warmly received by the travelling contingent in the capital.
Nathan Jones said: “If I’m honest, I don’t know what type of reception I’m going to get when I go over there. So I went over there to make sure. The other night (vs Nottingham Forest at St Mary’) I went round clapping everyone because I put myself out there, I take full responsibility for everything. I don’t shy away from challenges or anything. So when I went over there (Saturday), got a good reception, I was very pleased with that. But then it was the player’s turn and I wanted to make sure that I didn’t over-celebrate because it’s one win. If we get 10 wins, then I’d be a little bit more zealous in terms of what I do. That will come in time, but right now it’s just pleasing to get a win and I’m pleased for the players. The manager is paid to be there and be the focal point and to be the brand and to take the accolades, but also take the pain, and that’s what I’ve done.”
When Jones was asked if he believes he just needs time to make this Saints project work, having been appointed in November as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s successor, the Welshman appeared reflective.
Nathan Jones added: “I’d like time. We all need time to build and implement stuff but results will determine my future at any level. I’m a manager and anyone will tell you that results is where it is. So I can say I want time but what I really want is results and I want to get them as quick as possible. So look, we know that we have to change the direction of certain things today. We were a real aggressive football side and I like that because that’s what my sides are associated with at times. It takes time to build that but we have to do that and take the steps and we have to take them a little bit quicker than we are at the minute.”
