Nathan Jones baffles as he doesn’t hold back in his interview after Southampton lose 3-0 at Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
The 49 year old defended his status as one of Europe’s most respected statistic-leading managers at Luton, but admitted that he had “compromise” since joining struggling Southampton.
Since Ralph Hasenhuttl’s replacement in November, Jones has seen six defeats in seven games. Southampton is at the bottom of Premier League and three points away from safety.
After a humiliating 3-0 loss at Brentford, Travelling Saints fans demanded that the Welshman leave the club, only for Jones to come back fighting.
Although he admitted to his mistakes since his arrival, the ex-Hatters boss defends his managerial record and points out his past success in the game that earned him the job.
“Statistically, there weren’t many better than me around Europe.” š
Nathan Jones claims he has ācompromised his principlesā since joining Southampton. āpic.twitter.com/SWl5OrlBFK
ā Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 5, 2023
“I’ve compromised,” he said. “I’ve compromised in terms of certain principles because of one, personnel, but two, the way that people want to play and so on.
“I’ve compromised because of fans, and so on, a few little things but – no more. I’ve been very successful playing a fluent style, Luton were a real aggressive front-footed side. Statistically, there weren’t many better than me around Europe in terms of aggression, clean sheets, defending the box, balls in the box, xG, all those sort of things.
“We were pound-for-pound the best because we were spending next to nothing and producing so much. And I’ve gone away from that.
“Maybe it’s because of the Premier League or how things look – players, internationals and stuff like that. I’ve had to compromise certain things and I’m not going to do that again.”
Southampton are the fourth-lowest scorers in the Premier League this season and have conceded almost two goals a game across their 21 matches so far, a run Jones has been unable to arrest since his arrival – failing to keep a single clean sheet in those seven league games to date.
When asked to pinpoint the source of Southampton’s problems, he added: “The same things have been happening for a year, are still happening. They’ve been losing games in the Premier League and conceding goals not defending the box well enough, not scoring enough goals, and it’s been exactly the same.
“We were brought in to do something different because with a shoestring budget [at Luton], we were scoring, defending the box well, out-pressing teams and finishing. We were doing the basics so well. That’s why I was recruited – to transfer that into the football club. I haven’t at the minute. That will change.”
Asked if he will have the time at Southampton to implement those changes, he said: “I don’t know. It’s not a question for me. I hope so.
“I look at that team and I don’t see myself in that team. That’s the biggest thing, that’s going to change.”
Jones’ comments wasn’t popular with much of the Southampton fanbase, with those in the away end at Brentford having already sung several pointed chants at their manager during the game that they wanted him to go.
Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright was also baffled by Jones’ words after the game, saying it wasn’t right that the manager was pointing the finger at others rather than solely at himself.
“The [comments] were strange because it’s your job to do the job,” said Wright. “What are you talking about that you’re pandering to people? Don’t pander to people. This is the Premier League. You come in and you’re not going to get many opportunities at it, so don’t come and start throwing people under the bus and say it’s their fault that you didn’t do what you did before. Get it done.”
“Don’t throw people under the bus. Get it done.” š³
Ian Wright didn’t hold back on Nathan Jones…#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/Ln5p93WI5P
ā BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 5, 2023
This is what fans said while Nathan Jones baffles as he doesn’t hold back in interview after losing at Brentford…
@TimperleyTez: What were the saints board thinking, sacking Ralph for this comedy act
@J0shuaJ0rdan: What’s he talking about? š
@TalkingTHFC: This could genuinely be up there with one of the worst mid-season appointments in PL history. Imagine your manager saying that when you’re bottom of the league. Doomed I’m afraid.
@stevered414: Don’t think he’ll see valentines day
@Luke180101: One of the most bizarre geezers in the Prem, your bottom of the league and youāre making this statementš O could say Luke Garrard was one of the best in Europe becuase bwood went on a 17 game unbeaten run??ššš
@jammysaint1: Well said @IanWright0 Jones picks the team and coaches them. Donāt try to blame everyone else.
@ButchFist: Spot on by @IanWright0. Jones needs the elbow….. and quickly
@mh_bfc: Got a bit of an ego about him for someone who hasnāt done well anywhere except Luton
@tommygarratt: Whatās this silly fella on šš
@MichelNFFC4: Loving every second of this pricks downfall
@GlennUrwin_: Heard this one before, it doesnāt end wellā¦
@Gerardmcc01: He loves himself too much
@Seanhogan1997: Werenāt many better than me š¤£š¤£š¤£š¤£ have a day off Nathan
@olifisher: The more games pass, the more this looks like one of the worst ‘mid-season firefighter’ appointments of all time. Arrogant and deluded beyond belief.
@Woolfie_01: Christ , what an unlikeable bloke
@Pabsyyyyyy: It’s one thing thinking this but then actuslly saying it in an interview š going to look very silly if their firm doesn’t turnaround now isn’t he. Absolute headloss.
@tynetakes: Thatāll help get the fans on your side Nathanā¦
@RJPatt8: I hope he can back this up! š¤£š¤£š¤£
@NUFCIrving1010: Sits there banging on about Luton and statistics, etc. This is the Pl now, not the Championship. Big boys league. Not delivering, and heās not exactly doing himself any favours speaking out like this neither
@dcfcstephen: So far out of his depth, was a truly awful appointment.
@ScfcAli: Nathan Jones, your football is shit
@manxpie86: Comes across as a bit mental this guy like
@R1Harrat: My Sunday league team is unbeaten as well doesnāt mean my manager should manage in the premier league is it
@SamTooon: One of the worst managers ever, actually feel sorry for Southampton and thatās come from someoneās whoās had to watch Steve Bruce and Alan pardew manage there club
@Danlarr92: I like that heās honest but Iād be very worried listening to this as a fan
@23FenhamEusebio: That was a bit John Carver – wow
@TomPicillo: He’s completely lost his head. Not a chance #Southampton stay up with this kind of attitude. Shocking
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