NATHAN JONES FACES SUPREME CHALLENGE
V
St Mary’s Stadium: 3pm
OUTSPOKEN Nathan Jones insists he has not burned any bridges at Southampton – despite growing calls from supporters for him to be axed.
Jones (above) angered fans and the club’s hierarchy after last weekend’s thumping at Brentford by appearing to try to shift the blame for Saints’ woeful form from him to his players and background staff.
But the defiant manager – who could face the sack if Saints lose at home to Wolves today – 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 people 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 things, It doesn’t matter who you are, if you don’t get results then you’re under pressure.
“There are other Premier League managers who are more experienced 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.”
Jones also claims Saints’ run of six defeats from his seven league games in charge has been characterbuilding.
The former Luton chief said “It is tough in terms of the situation – but tough situations call for tough people.
“We’ve got to try to win games in the toughest league in the world.
“So, of course it’s a tough challenge. But I’ll be dead soon, one day. I will look back on these days and think, ‘How did you stand up? How did you come through it? Did it build your character? Did you wilt? Did you go backwards or did you face them full on?’”
Saints defender James Bree, who played under Jones at Luton, is backing him to turn things around on the south coast. Bree, who followed Jones to St Mary’s in January, said: “The gaffer was obviously a big pull for me, and Southampton a massive club. “I have always wanted to play in the Premier League. I know how hard he works and how much he cares, and I am sure it will be tough for him. But I know he is staying positive and doing all he can to get us out of this position.” Saints are set to hand full debuts to deadline day signings Kamaldeen Sulemana and Paul Onuachu (both above).