Lose to Saints and Lampard is finished at Everton

MY OLD club Southampton were searching for nirvana when they signed seven players aged 20 or under during the summer. I understand the ambition: you stay in the division and these boys are able to build on that first season and their value goes up and up.

On the other hand, you could wake up in a few years’ time deeply ensconced in the Championship. The road they have gone down is very dangerous. They are asking boys to be men and that is a big demand in our league, with nine hard months of physical and mental challenges. Nathan Jones has come in as manager and has lost his first four league matches. Some supporters have turned on him already and I get their anger — that is the price on the ticket. I managed Southampton for one season. I resigned because, after a takeover I was promised would not happen, I realised I could not work with the new owner Rupert Lowe — but I always found the fans to be levelheaded and fair. At the moment, alarm bells are ringing and they are frustrated. I hope the win over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup this week is a turning point for them, but I’m still not sure. Today’s game at Everton is huge for both clubs, but it is not as critical for Jones as it is for Frank Lampard. A loss for Frank against the team bottom of the league would be a defining moment and unacceptable for the majority of Evertonians. He would probably pay with his job.