BLOW FOR JO

Nathan in peril after comedy collapse

NATHAN JONES began the week being mocked online as a David Brent figure – and could now end it having to clear his desk at the office.

They used to call Brent’s art form “cringe comedy” and that would be an accurate description of Southampton’s defending as they left their Welsh boss on the brink.

Jones must have thought his prospects were improving when his team led 1-0 with 18 minutes to go and Wolves were down to 10 men.

But there was comedy gold to come as Jan Bednarek tripped over his own feet in the goalmouth to concede an own goal when he tried to block Adama Traore’s effort.

Then came the sickening punchline for Jones as his back line folded like a clown’s car and Joao Gomes scored a superb 87thminute winner. It means the Saints boss has lost seven of his eight Premier League matches in charge and his team are bottom.

He looked a broken man before the end.

Southampton fans had seen their side show plenty of fight and some decent quality to go 1-0 ahead through Carlos Alcaraz.

When Mario Lemina was dismissed for a second yellow card moments later, it looked as if Jones – parodied for two bizarre press conference performances – might get a few more episodes at least.

But it was Saints who tired in the second half as Wolves showed their continuing improvement under Julen Lopetegui. They have earned 13 points from their seven league matches under the Spaniard, three more than they did in their first 15 games this season.

The first half was feisty, occasionally frantic, but certainly not as full of fury as it appeared to be for referee Jarred Gillett.

Four players were given yellow cards – two from each side – as well as the red shown to Lemina as the Aussie official tried to lay down the law.

Saints’ new signing Kamaldeen Sulemana was keen to impress on his home debut after a £22million move from Rennes.

It was the kind of attacking threat they have lacked and it wasn’t long before fellow new boy Alcaraz joined the party.

The Argentinian’s first shot was blocked but he was alert to the rebound and fired a low skimmer that went in off the post. Three minutes later Wolves were reduced to 10 men.

Lemina felt he had been hacked at and when the ball went out, he gave a mouthful to the official.

It may have been a case of mistaken identity but it was Lemina who was singled out of the crowd of protesting Wolves players and off he went.

But it went all downhill for Saints in the second half and Jones now looks destined to be shown the door.

SOUTHAMPTON: Bazunu 6; Bree 6 (Edozie (80)

6), Bednarek 5, Salisu 5, Perraud 6 (Lyanco (74) 6); Alcaraz 6 (Aribo (79) 5), Lavia 6 (S Armstrong (89)

6); Maitland-Niles 6, Ward-Prowse 7, Sulemana 8; Onuachu 6 (Adams (74) 6)

WOLVES: Sa 7; Nelson Semedo 7 (Jonny (84) 6), Dawson 7, Kilman 6, Ait-Nouri 5 (Bueno (46) 7); Lemina 4, Neves 8; Sarabia 7, Joao Moutinho 6 (Traore (46) 7), Nunes 6 (Gomes (70) 7); Cunha 5 (Costa (59) 7) STAR MAN: Ruben Neves - Never stopped believing, urging and probing as he held his team together.

Jarred Gillett 6