the saint in winchester

No. We can either loan him back to improve his match fitness, or sell him back.

You'd better pour us all a glass of what you're drinking. Tina Livramento (is that his mum?) is unlikely to play this season. And Onuachu scoring ANY goals looks unlikely, let alone a run of goals. But I like your positivity and hope we do start to pick up points.

Maitland-Niles - for that body on the line in front of the shot. (applause)

Well, that was a much better press conference. Calm, collected, considered, and English is not even his first language. Wanted to talk about the club and the way forward, rather than "listen, I was the best manager in the history of Luton, I was the best in Europe I was, best this, best that, you're lucky to have me here, me, me, me" I really hope the players perform for him, and he is successful.

Yeah it was clear he doesn't think one week is much working with the players. I was hoping 5 days would be enough. He says this week is about establishing a system to play, then later he gives praise to every system - gengenpress, out of possession, Gray-ham and his multi-system in a game. Show us something, Ruben, just show us the players look like they know their roles and play a RB at RB etc. This could work out for him if the players respond.

Gotta be Nige. I kid you not, these are the words unedited: Exactly what we are looking for at this time. Managerial style[edit] Adkins had been praised by former players for his man-management, and for his ability to instil belief in his players and generate confidence within his squads.[30]

Southampton's Diallo: I'm sad for sacked Jones Southampton midfielder Ibrahima Diallo says he was 'sad' for Nathan Jones following his sacking by the club. You can back the wrong horse, Ibra!

The announcement said "Selles with an experienced coach alongside." Don't know who this Jess Thorup is, but prefer him to Allardyce, Rooney, Lampard and Gerrard. But it could be someone else entirely. Who lives round here? Or could commute?

He did. Took Leeds to a 3-0 over Chelsea. And after that we have Leeds. Another game he will be especially motivated for. Saints Marsch On. (c)

2 out of 3 ain't bad (to quote Meat Loaf). I don't think Gerrard can command respect now.

Yes, this. The players HAVE let him down. Whatever we think of his buzzwords like front-footed and aggression, once the players are on the pitch, it's on them. They can either do as the manager instructed, or overrule it with a better plan. They didn't make and take chances for a second goal yesterday. And yes, he cares passionately in wanting to succeed, albeit for his own glory. Sadly he didn't have the gravitas to command the respect of the players, and he had no experience in media handling, and his game tactics were amateur and Sunday-park-Dad, so it was unlikely to succeed. Yes, Saints headhunted him, and it is said he declined and Saints pursued him until he agreed to join us. It was an error on the Club side. Jones should have been left at Luton where it was working for him. When that job comes available again, he'll likely go back there. Until then, I would say "Thanks for giving it a go, Nathan. I didn't like a lot of your interviews and attitude, but I do appreciate your effort."

Yeah, with a man advantage, we should have been taking the game to them, not sitting back inviting them on. Now we are hanging on to a point.

So you're saying he has to go because he has been verbally abused? The vitriole was constant even when the forum had moved on from 'on field activities'. The moderator was trying to keep it civil, and Rasmus or Semmens complimented the audience for civility (really?). It was interesting to hear the explanation of why Jones was effectively headhunted, what are the KPI's he is being judged by now, and at what point his termination may come. Although I don't think he is right for us, I don't want him hounded out by vitriolic fans alone. We need a manager who can work with the players we have, help them reach their potential, find a way of playing that suits their capabilities. Instead, we have a manager whose style of play doesn't suit our players, and it sounds like Jones will not compromise and we could be looking at basic park football. However, I don't think Rasmus will give him long. It was clear Rasmus talks to the players and gets their feedback, so my personal reading is that once he 'loses the dressing room' that will be the end of his time. That could be after this weekend, or the end of the season.

Yeah, this was touched on by - by inference - at the Fans Forum. Rasmus and Semmens saying (in effect) we took the decision to increase the size of our squad and the consequence is not all the squad can make the 18 every weekend, meaning we will see squad players in the B team with increasing regularity. Seem to remember Rasmus defending bringing in younger players from other clubs as he said we didn't have anyone coming through from the academy. I pulled a face at that, as we have effectively given them no pathway to the match-day squad by increasing the existing squad. Although they weren't named, this did seem to restrict opportunities for JJ, Dom and the others who I would have liked to have seen coming through. That is/was The Southampton Way.

Which brings us back to the squad/transfer choices. Obviously, Bree is a Jones choice. Were Orsic, Alcarez, Tall Paul and Speedy his choices as well, or will he disown them and say they were foisted on him? Assume he wanted Janny B back? That's half the 11 that he takes ownership for. At what point does he feel responsible?

Watched it back on YouTube last night. What we were allowed to see and hear was interesting. However, there was a lot of the discussion that was intentionally muted after, before being released to YT. I expect a lot of it was just repetitive chat, angry comments from the floor, that added nothing. However, I'd be grateful to have the comments from anyone present what was muted from general consumption.

In a perverse way, I'm glad Jones gets a game to walk the gang plank. After his comments, he needs to put up or shut up. I wonder if the directors (Ankerson, Semmens) have asked him to explain his comments? Either he really was going mad before our eyes, as some suggested, or there was some truth in his suggestions. I want this to play out to its conclusion. I am concerned what 'his way' means, concerned it means Janny B and Bree, Lyanco, Moi and Adams misfiring while all our quality players look on from the bench. I don't like to see us lose, but there is a bigger picture to play out here. Like you, I think Wolves will play us off the park, but then come Monday morning and Jones is given his P45, he can have no complaints.

For that - and other reasons - I would urge you to select a later game for your son. This is the wrong time to attend. You will traumatize him. Let's get the Jones experiment behind us - he will leave soon. You want your son to enjoy the experience, not put him off for life.

To be honest, I would really like to have Jones explain who he was referring to in his conference. I accept he will likely be sacked without ever explaining himself. However, if those influences remain and influence the next manager, then as a club we are no further forward. Is it the players? Ankersen? Semmens? Selles? His father in law? WHO is telling him how to set up the team? WHO is dictating tactics? WHO is taking training? Above all else, if there is an undue influence, it needs to be resolved first. Unfortunately, Jones will likely be sacked for shooting his mouth off. He should have gone ahead, named the offenders and accepted the consequences. However, to have dropped hints by inference only protects the anonymity of the offender(s).

Haha, only a hunch. Not ITK. Just think he will be taken aside first thing, and it'll be after 10 there will be a press statement.

Let's go with this. I'll even sign up for the chillout playlist. The announcement will be just after 10am tomorrow.

Well, they're about to sign Andre Ayew on a free, so hold your stat on value for money until he has been assessed.

So is beIN Sports. They can't believe that Saints scored. Literally "that is unbelievable, Pope has NOT conceded for ten games; who would have thought that the team bottom of the table would have scored past him?" Well, we did. Get over it.

Much better. Could while away the hours looking at her. (sigh)

There's NO WAY we can afford both. This is just like recently I put my car on gumtree, and within an hour had 3 offers. When I went to accept the best one, the replay came back "sorry mate, I've put offers on a few cars tonight, which one was yours?" Needless to say, he didn't see his offer as binding. This will be just like that. Offer on multiple players and see who accepts our offer, then think about whether we want to pursue it. Sadly we could end up with no-one, no-one but Theo.