Do you want Nathan Jones to Manage Southampton Football Club?

[whiteleySaint30]

1 hour ago, GDog07 said:

Absolutely disgusting, £4m for an unknown entity, cannot believe they haven’t gone for an experienced manager in this situation we find ourselves in at the cheap price of £4m! - bringing in a expensive gamble when we need a bounce, a guy who has been in this fight before, a guy with a reputation, a manager who will attract a calibre of striker we need to get us out of this mess.

If folk done their job in the summer and Ralph had been given a goal scoring striker or even two target men, we’d no have been in this mess having no been able to find the net to win a match. £4-f*****g-million - there’s your excuse for no money for a decent striker in January + Ralph’s pay-off.

**On the note of a striker, how the hell does it take a day or two to get a manager in place, but takes a year and more to buy a striker who can find the net in the EPL. If by some miracle SR do splash the cash for a striker this January (they’ll have their pants pulled down for that anaw in the January sales) you’re damn certain they’ll no have them coming in 1st/2nd Jan when we need them desperately, they’ll sign on or the day before deadline day 24 games into the season when we’re seven points adrift of the pack, it’s the Southampton way.

It looks bleak and I’m completely dejected by this appointment, it feels like we are gambling with our EPL status and when we only have Liverpool (A) before the break it’s going to be a dour Xmas sitting in the relegation zone. The latter festive period/January games when we have Brighton (H), Fulham (A), Nottm Forest (H), Villa (H), Brentford (A) and Wolves (H) is going to make or break us, he might have to perform miracles as Ralph seemed to muster when he needed to find points, ground them out and possibly without any new striker too, unless we have someone in the door 1st Jan, we are going to struggle for goals to beat the teams that we need to beat around us, are we ever that pro-active, or just with a manager in Jones’ case? 🙄

I just hope it works out, I feel this could be the season that we’ll be stuck back in the Championship for years without a Liebherr-style investment to get us out of it after SR inevitably sell all our young stars we’ve tried to invest in.

 

A realistic post at last. Everyone saying we should back SR choice of manager. This is the same SR whos utter incompetence meant we failed to get a striker in over the summer (please no one respond and say at least they tried - trying and failing is not good enough in this game). 

Absolute shambles. 

[Morse]

This shocking appointment is just another fück up from SR after their failure to get a striker in the summer. I fear they're going to do for us what SISU have done for Coventry. 

[lhammondo]

13 hours ago, Nolan said:

Been told that Saints have had analysts watching Luton for a long time. They probably know more about Luton than Lutons analysts. this isn't a spur of the moment thing.

 

How long does it take for the analysis to arrive at 'mid-table mediocrity'? Why on earth did they select Luton in the first place? And the fact it's not a spur of the moment thing only makes the decision even more preposterous.

[Badger]

erring towards unsure, but gut reaction remains no, not experienced at this level, and doesn't give the lift we need.

Can't help feeling this has a feeling of 'Branfoot meets Sturrock'. 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT HAVE TO BE SAID. SR HAD SANCTIONED THE PURCHASE OF A STRIKER BUT SEMMENS PENNY PINCHED (WHEN HE WAS GIVEN THE FUNDS BY SR) AND MISSED OUT ON TWO SIGNINGS. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Just now, Behind Enemy Lines said:

HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT HAVE TO BE SAID. SR HAD SANCTIONED THE PURCHASE OF A STRIKER BUT SEMMENS PENNY PINCHED (WHEN HE WAS GIVEN THE FUNDS BY SR) AND MISSED OUT ON TWO SIGNINGS. 

As many times as it takes before you just give up in exasperation probably. 🙂 

[Badger]

2 minutes ago, Behind Enemy Lines said:

HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT HAVE TO BE SAID. SR HAD SANCTIONED THE PURCHASE OF A STRIKER BUT SEMMENS PENNY PINCHED (WHEN HE WAS GIVEN THE FUNDS BY SR) AND MISSED OUT ON TWO SIGNINGS. 

Think it has been asked before, but who were the strikers ? Gakpo may be one, but the other ? Broja has been mentioned but I thought the latest theory was that Tuchel vetoed it. 

[CB Fry]

1 hour ago, Badger said:

Think it has been asked before, but who were the strikers ? Gakpo may be one, but the other ? Broja has been mentioned but I thought the latest theory was that Tuchel vetoed it. 

If Gakpo was one if the two then what Behind Enemy Lines is saying is bullshit.

Gakpo did not come here because of "penny pinching". He didn’t go to Leeds either. He didn’t go anywhere.

Edited 9 November, 2022 by CB Fry

[Thereisonlyonemickychannon]

12 hours ago, Yorkshire Saint said:

No from me, but this was before I watched his post match interview on Sky last night. With this I will say unsure. It does not feel right but he seems authentic so who knows what we might get. 

He will get my complete support until he doesn't.

 

Having  listened to him I agree with what you say. Oh well time will tell.

[Behind Enemy Lines]

It’s not what I said.

I don’t know the players involved  

It was said by a known ITK on here that SR had a striker and attacking player purchase sanctioned, but Semmens tried to be clever, penny pinched, and missed out. 
 

No need for the passive aggressive post either. 

[GDog07]

4 minutes ago, Behind Enemy Lines said:

HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT HAVE TO BE SAID. SR HAD SANCTIONED THE PURCHASE OF A STRIKER BUT SEMMENS PENNY PINCHED (WHEN HE WAS GIVEN THE FUNDS BY SR) AND MISSED OUT ON TWO SIGNINGS. 

If that’s true, I don’t know where the source is that this happened - but if it’s true and he’s that incompetent, why are SR just as incompetent as to still employ the liability, he’s clearly awful at his job if he messed up to that degree.

if I was in a job, entrusted to tie up a deal that could secure the future of the business at the highest level (A striker or two to score the goals we need to stay in the lucrative EPL) and I f****d up that bad that the deal collapsed and put the business in jeopardy of losing its value (relegation, perhaps) why is he still here, SR have no backbone to remove him? Happy to lose tens of millions of their investment? Piss poor all round.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Feel so underwhelmed by this appointment. Just feels like a real kick in the teeth. Another cheap option rather than a statement of intent 

[th42uk]

Terrible appointment. Done ok at Luton failed miserably at Stoke after spending plenty of money. He’ll be gone half a dozen games into next season!!

Edited 9 November, 2022 by th42uk

[LGTL]

Everyone assumes he’ll go if we’re poor/relegated. Absolutely no chance IMO, he’s here for the long haul regardless of division. 

[madge]

Think Matt Hancock may have been a better choice although he’s a cumpt…. But I really do hope jones can do the business. Nothing against the bloke but I’m not convinced 

[Spark]

1 hour ago, GDog07 said:

If that’s true, I don’t know where the source is that this happened - but if it’s true and he’s that incompetent, why are SR just as incompetent as to still employ the liability, he’s clearly awful at his job if he messed up to that degree.

if I was in a job, entrusted to tie up a deal that could secure the future of the business at the highest level (A striker or two to score the goals we need to stay in the lucrative EPL) and I f****d up that bad that the deal collapsed and put the business in jeopardy of losing its value (relegation, perhaps) why is he still here, SR have no backbone to remove him? Happy to lose tens of millions of their investment? Piss poor all round.

pretty certain manjii said it on another thread. (sorry if incorrect spelling) 

[tajjuk]

41 minutes ago, th42uk said:

Done ok at Luton failed miserably at Stoke after spending plenty of money. 

You can have an opinion but please try to base it on more than complete bollocks.

'Done ok at Luton'? In his first spell they were pretty much the best attacking team in the football league and got them promoted. In his second spell he stabilised a them when they looked doomed for relegation and then took a club with around the 5th or 6th lowest budget in the division into the play offs, so outdoing teams with two or even three times the budget and won manager of the year.

As for Stoke, he didn't spend 'plenty of money', he spent about £5 million that summer and they had a massive overhaul of players, they lost 9 players to end of loans or free transfers.

They also brought in like 10 players, not only do Forest show that sort of turnover struggles to build a team but Stoke have been a shambles for years, they are 15th now and finished 14th last season, so hardly like they have done much since he left and have already been through another manager.

It was Gary Rowett who spent a fortune at Stoke whilst they failed in the Championship, he spent over £50 million. 

 

[sotonjoe]

1 hour ago, tajjuk said:

You can have an opinion but please try to base it on more than complete bollocks.

'Done ok at Luton'? In his first spell they were pretty much the best attacking team in the football league and got them promoted. In his second spell he stabilised a them when they looked doomed for relegation and then took a club with around the 5th or 6th lowest budget in the division into the play offs, so outdoing teams with two or even three times the budget and won manager of the year.

As for Stoke, he didn't spend 'plenty of money', he spent about £5 million that summer and they had a massive overhaul of players, they lost 9 players to end of loans or free transfers.

They also brought in like 10 players, not only do Forest show that sort of turnover struggles to build a team but Stoke have been a shambles for years, they are 15th now and finished 14th last season, so hardly like they have done much since he left and have already been through another manager.

It was Gary Rowett who spent a fortune at Stoke whilst they failed in the Championship, he spent over £50 million. 

 

Good points, Nathan 

[skintsaint]

Well my mates are now cottoning on to this guy as it looks like he is being appointed, getting lots of texts saying 'who?' and 'you're f*cked'.

Great stuff being a Saints fan as usual 😅

[CB Fry]

6 hours ago, tajjuk said:

Done ok at Luton'? In his first spell they were pretty much the best attacking team in the football league and got them promoted. In his second spell he stabilised a them when they looked doomed for relegation and then took a club with around the 5th or 6th lowest budget in the division into the play offs, so outdoing teams with two or even three times the budget and won manager of the year.

The "best attacking team" stuff: give over. Youre still talking about a good performance in League One.

Yes, recently a decent performance to get to the Championship play offs. But they're not that unique - the year before it was all about Barnsley as the plucky underdog. Val Ismael was the flavour of the month hot manager then. Poached to WBA and flopped. Before that Huddersfield and so on.

So it might be much more than "OK" if you are a Luton fan, good for them. But in context of walking into  a Premier League club it is only OK and nothing more.

Look, he's here now so we all have get on with it. The most likely scenario is relegation but that won't all be his fault because our squad is bottom 3 standard anyway.

Edited 10 November, 2022 by CB Fry

[skintsaint]

12 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

because our squad is bottom 3 standard anyway.

Yep. Key thing is to get our first XI fit and keep them injury free as they are not bottom 3.

[Sarisbury Saint]

Why a long contract though ?  2 years with the option to extend would have been better.

[Brissysaint]

Fucking hell some of you are moaning cunts, did any of you actually think we would get poch or emery or whoever else is popular? 
 

give the bloke a chance or fuck off and shut up.

 

we’ve got to be the most negative fan base in England.

[StrangelyBrown]

24 minutes ago, Brissysaint said:

Fucking hell some of you are moaning cunts, did any of you actually think we would get poch or emery or whoever else is popular? 
 

give the bloke a chance or fuck off and shut up.

 

we’ve got to be the most negative fan base in England.

I don't think it is out of line to raise concerns us choosing a manager who hasn't got an inspiring track record, whose teams play an unpopular style of football and who seems to be lacking inspirational qualities (just watch his interviews).

We may not be a big premier league club, but we are a struggling club in the biggest league and therefore I would expect someone who oozes leadership, has an exciting brand of football and some experience of working successfully under the spotlight.

Were you happy when we brought in Ian Branfoot or Paul Sturrock?

[CB Fry]

35 minutes ago, Brissysaint said:

Fucking hell some of you are moaning cunts, did any of you actually think we would get poch or emery or whoever else is popular? 
 

give the bloke a chance or fuck off and shut up.

 

we’ve got to be the most negative fan base in England.

How's your first month of following football going? 

[skintsaint]

52 minutes ago, Brissysaint said:

did any of you actually think we would get poch or emery or whoever else is any good?

changed for you.

[Miltonaggro]

If the compo, length of contract and backroom staff are as reported they must have also given Jones a lot of guarantees in terms of approach. Reckon we are in for a few Lee Todd type signings come January for the nostalgic among us. 
 

Genuinely remarkable that Dragan appears to have bet the family farm on the basis of Rasmussen’s laptop. 

[LGTL]

Most of his family are Saints fans?! How has that come about 😂

[trousers]

48 minutes ago, LGTL said:

Most of his family are Saints fans?! How has that come about 😂

 

2 hours ago, Brissysaint said:

Fucking hell some of you are moaning cunts, did any of you actually think we would get poch or emery or whoever else is popular? 
 

give the bloke a chance or fuck off and shut up.

 

we’ve got to be the most negative fan base in England.

Good to see a family member already posting on here

[Dman]

1 hour ago, LGTL said:

Most of his family are Saints fans?! How has that come about 😂

Guessing somehow from his time at Yeovil…? 

[rallyboy]

I wasn't impressed with the way he sat and watched last night, and the manner in which he held up the shirt for the photos suggests this job is too big for him.

I'm seething inside and shall be down to St Mary's without delay, to try in vain to rip up my season ticket.

I may borrow some scissors from reception.

 

[hypochondriac]

3 minutes ago, rallyboy said:

I wasn't impressed with the way he sat and watched last night, and the manner in which he held up the shirt for the photos suggests this job is too big for him.

I'm seething inside and shall be down to St Mary's without delay, to try in vain to rip up my season ticket.

I may borrow some scissors from reception.

 

Obligatory Kirk from Coronation Street photo. 

[gordonToo]

Key for me is how the players react to his arrival and the replacement of the coaching staff by Luton's Championship team. My guess is this is a Sturrock type situation where senior players don't buy into his methods and the situation goes from bad to worse. Hope I'm wrong but Premiership football is on a different level to anything Jones has experienced so far and if if he loses the dressing room it's a one way ticket.

[Toussaint]

14 hours ago, Turkish said:

Sky reporting it as £2.5m and a done deal still a lot of cash. 

That would get you 33.333 weeks of Theo!

[Mr X]

36 minutes ago, gordonToo said:

Key for me is how the players react to his arrival and the replacement of the coaching staff by Luton's Championship team. My guess is this is a Sturrock type situation where senior players don't buy into his methods and the situation goes from bad to worse. Hope I'm wrong but Premiership football is on a different level to anything Jones has experienced so far and if if he loses the dressing room it's a one way ticket.

Totally agree with this a lot of players are surely going to throw their toys out the pram and a colossal disaster will ensue 

[AngusHyd]

I'm starting to get on board with Jones as our manager. There is still the concern of lack of premiership management, however, there is only one way to gain that and it might be the springboard he needs to really flourish as a manager. The worry about his time at Stoke is understandable but I am hoping that it is similar to Eddie Howe's time at Burnley where it just wasn't the right match. Eddie Howe has gone on to prove himself as an incredible manager at both Bournemouth and recently Newcastle. Let's hope that Jones shall do the same with us. I like the sound of his aggressive pressing style and feel that our best football under Hassenhuttl was when he was employing the aggressive press. I think we're quite lucky that the world cup is now, gives the team a chance for a full reset and for Jones to have a good preseason with them and to install his tactics.

Then the board need to back him in January, get a decent striker in and I think alongside that a playmaking midfielder hopefully someone who is a bit older and experienced. The policy of youth is a great one but we need some experience in the squad, especially when things aren't going our way. 

[SNSUN]

18 hours ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

This team is so shit, doesn't matter who is in charge

Mildly harsh but otherwise spot on really. We really are a shambles right now. Maybe a fresh set of eyes, any new fresh set of eyes, is what we need right now to see where our strengths and weaknesses lie. Maybe someone that can spot we have 3 very good centre backs so maybe having them as a 3 at the back could work. Or someone that can see we're a CM light without Lavia and an out of form JWP. Or someone that can clearly see we have fuck all in attack and that it needs rectifying and fast. 

 

Jones is fresh eyes, despite his lack of experience and maybe that's what we need right now because clearly under Ralph we were growing stale.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

3 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

Mildly harsh but otherwise spot on really. We really are a shambles right now. Maybe a fresh set of eyes, any new fresh set of eyes, is what we need right now to see where our strengths and weaknesses lie. Maybe someone that can spot we have 3 very good centre backs so maybe having them as a 3 at the back could work. Or someone that can see we're a CM light without Lavia and an out of form JWP. Or someone that can clearly see we have fuck all in attack and that it needs rectifying and fast. 

 

Jones is fresh eyes, despite his lack of experience and maybe that's what we need right now because clearly under Ralph we were growing stale.

Pretty much agree with that. You'll have to forgive my pretty shit comment as it was at half time after sitting through another dire performance last night!

[Saint-Michael]

I think the sensible view on this is to reserve judgment and review at the end of march hopefully Tino and KWP will be back and in good form also we might get a decent striker in the January window also I think loosing Oreo Romeo has left a gaping hole in the midfield.

[Miltonaggro]

2 hours ago, Saint-Michael said:

I think the sensible view on this is to reserve judgment and review at the end of march hopefully Tino and KWP will be back and in good form also we might get a decent striker in the January window also I think loosing Oreo Romeo has left a gaping hole in the midfield.

Agree, losing Romeu has been massive, and ideally we get a decent seasoned defensive midfielder in to compliment Lavia in January. 

[Miltonaggro]

8 hours ago, Toussaint said:

That would get you 33.333 weeks of Theo!

We must have had that already, surely

[Chris cooper]

18 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

Agree, losing Romeu has been massive, and ideally we get a decent seasoned defensive midfielder in to compliment Lavia in January. 

*replace .. cough !

[Miltonaggro]

7 minutes ago, Chris cooper said:

*replace .. cough !

Surely not CC, the NJ revolution will be in full swing by then!

[Chris cooper]

26 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

Surely not CC, the NJ revolution will be in full swing by then!

I hope not bud .. not getting the call up from his country may of helped aswell ..not in the shop window this winter  !

[Turkish]

13 hours ago, LGTL said:

Most of his family are Saints fans?! How has that come about 😂

Wales is in our catchment area 

[Miltonaggro]

9 hours ago, Turkish said:

Wales is in our catchment area 

I thought all were agreed it went as far as the Bristol Channel and gave way to rugger😀

Nailed on Bale will come home in the January window now and intriguing to find out who the gg grandfather was though, maybe Welsh also. Did we have a Cannonball Taffy O’ Jones, Percy Pugh or Griff Digger Davis in the 1940s? 

[JRM]

27 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

I thought all were agreed it went as far as the Bristol Channel and gave way to rugger😀

Nailed on Bale will come home in the January window now and intriguing to find out who the gg grandfather was though, maybe Welsh also. Did we have a Cannonball Taffy O’ Jones, Percy Pugh or Griff Digger Davis in the 1940s? 

It's his wife's great grandfather 

https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/george-woodford/

[Miltonaggro]

28 minutes ago, JRM said:

It's his wife's great grandfather 

https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/george-woodford/

Great stuff JRM, cheers 👍