Nathan Jones
The Welshman concedes it is a results business and again implores that picking up wins will be the only way fans will be fully behind him as boss. Saints welcome relegation rivals Wolves to St Mary’s on Saturday, February 11 (3PM) with ground to make up on the rest of the teams in the fight. Wolves, Everton and Leeds United have all picked up points in the last matchday and Saints risk being cut further adrift without a result at home this weekend. Jones, who has come under fire almost unanimously from supporters following his post-match press conference after a 3-0 defeat to Brentford last weekend, was asked if he must repair relations with fans.
Nathan Jones said: “I don’t think I’ve done anything personally against anyone so I don’t know if I’ve got to build any bridges. It is about wins, it is about them seeing a team out there that can win football games because that is what they can get behind. It has been a tough start, then we turned a corner and have had some tricky results now. Results will always change it, it doesn’t matter who you are if you don’t get results then you’re under pressure. There are other PL managers who are more experienced in the PL than me who are having tough times as well. It is part and parcel of the game, others who have been very successful have only got to have one or two defeats to be under pressure. I understand the pressures. I believe categorically I am the right man for the job and I am enjoying my job here. It is tough in terms of the situation but tough situations call for tough people.”
This week also saw the latest fans’ forum held at St Mary’s, ahead of the FA Youth Cup match on Tuesday evening, and the talk was dominated by manager talk. Sport Republic CEO Rasmus Ankersen, joined on a panel by Saints CEO Martin Semmens, chairman Henrik Kraft and managing director Toby Steele, defended the decision to give Jones more time.
Nathan Jones said: “I accept these things. I was very happy my board backed me in terms of certain stuff. They would see a lot more that is going on in the recruitment process, in the positivity in any area I have, they see the work on the training pitches and how I’ve dealt with situations that have occurred and they’re happy. The big thing is results and that’s what we have to change. We’re not shying away from it and I’ve accepted full responsibility. Not once have I passed the buck, dug anyone out or passed the blame onto any individual ever in my career.”
