NATHAN Jones lauded a Saints squad who “want to play for me” and bit back at recent criticism from local non-league manager Paul Doswell after victory over Manchester City. Saints knocked the English champions out of the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup to book a date in the last four with Newcastle United later this month. Goals from Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo were enough to record back-to-back wins for Jones for the first time since his appointment. Speaking after the match, Jones took the time to address comments from Havant & Waterlooville manager, Doswell, made on BBC Radio Solent. The former Sutton United and Eastleigh boss said Jones was “out of his depth” and that everyone has their “level” in football. And asked if Jones feels he has responded to similar criticisms from supporters,
Nathan jones responded: “I don’t know if I changed perceptions or not. Within 10 minutes of the Brighton game, I was inept. I have worked hard to get to the level where I have got and people can have their opinions. The non-league manager who criticised me the other day. It baffled me, absolutely baffled me. I don’t speak about Havant & Waterlooville or anyone down there. I don’t have the disrespect to speak about levels I don’t know about. I have worked hard to get here and everyone needs time, not a manager in the world has a magic wand. There are clubs with unlimited resources that need time to grow. It’s a tough job but I absolutely love it, and the players responded tonight. From the inside, I can absolutely tell that I’ve got a group of players who want to play for me, and as a manager nothing else matters.”
Jones has lost his first four Premier League games since replacing former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl in November, with Saints rock bottom of the Premier League. But they have now won successive games in cup competitions, following progression to the FA Cup fourth round over Crystal Palace on Saturday. They face a huge trip to Everton this weekend to bounce back from a loss to Nottingham Forest last Wednesday, with the Toffees also embroiled in the relegation battle.
Nathan Jones added: “I don’t know what people expect in four weeks, I am not David Blaine who can perform magic. I need time and if I am given that I can create a team they can be proud of. I can’t remember many times Southampton have been as dominant versus Man City. We’re creating an environment and a culture at the football club where, when you make changes, they know exactly what to do. We’re creating a culture where they train because they’re going to get opportunities in a squad game.”
