Nathan Jones

[SaintJakko]

With the greatest respect Nathan, play a formation that actually favours the strongest line-up we can put out. Especially in a all or nothing fixture. WHICH IS EVERY GAME NOW. We cannot be messing around with lineups at half time and “sorting it” after we’ve been through every tactical masterclass change you can think of and made a mountain to climb due to INCOMPETENCE. If I see a non LB playing in that position again when we have Perruad on the bench and KWP in a weaker position I will go spare. Play 4 at the back, with your BEST RB playing RB, your two best CB partnership (FIND THIS and let it gel) and an actual LB. Play Lavia as holding mid, have your other mids in creative roles and the rest speaks for itself. Everyone can see this. I usually lerk here, but Jesus, I needed to write this just so I won’t go crazy. 

[Viking Saint]

3 minutes ago, SaintJakko said:

With the greatest respect Nathan, play a formation that actually favours the strongest line-up we can put out. Especially in a all or nothing fixture. WHICH IS EVERY GAME NOW. We cannot be messing around with lineups at half time and “sorting it” after we’ve been through every tactical masterclass change you can think of and made a mountain to climb due to INCOMPETENCE. If I see a non LB playing in that position again when we have Perruad on the bench and KWP in a weaker position I will go spare. Play 4 at the back, with your BEST RB playing RB, your two best CB partnership (FIND THIS and let it gel) and an actual LB. Play Lavia as holding mid, have your other mids in creative roles and the rest speaks for itself. Everyone can see this. I usually lerk here, but Jesus, I needed to write this just so I won’t go crazy. 

This, exactly this. It's just so obvious to everyone watching except our manager.

[Miltonaggro]

5 hours ago, Dark Munster said:

SR spend £100m on new players and yet they keep this joker in charge. It boggles the mind, and brings to mind the biblical phrase "don't throw pearls before swine". It's quite an impressive achievement to be worse than the Clown (Pellegrino, who was also more likeable as a person).

I've been calling this buffoon the Welsh Wigley, but now I know I've been unfair on Wigley. In fact the only previous manager that I would (currently) put slightly below him on the shit manager list is Saggy. Even Branfoot was better than this waste of space, who is so out of his depth, and obnoxious and arrogant with it, that it brings tears to my eyes. 

Agree. Branfoot despite clear faults could at least set a team up, dour, limited and could be stubborn, but was never arrogant. Watching last night couldn’t help remembering the Full Members (ZDS) Cup final in 92. Old Wembley final, massive Saints contigent at the height of the Branfoot out fervour, he was famously booed when he appeared pre-kick off. So I watched some highlights to aid memory. Branfoot set the team up to be  competitive, a limited team against a quality team in Forest under Clough, and we had a real fucking go, only losing in extra time. Branfoot respectful in defeat and those who were there will remember that the saints fans at Wembley were brilliant that day. So, proper Mickey Mouse Cup final, despised manager, threadbare team, narrow loss, but some competitive nous and respect from manager, team and fans. Already with Jones, clearly, it’s much worse. 

[egg]

21 minutes ago, SaintJakko said:

With the greatest respect Nathan, play a formation that actually favours the strongest line-up we can put out. Especially in a all or nothing fixture. WHICH IS EVERY GAME NOW. We cannot be messing around with lineups at half time and “sorting it” after we’ve been through every tactical masterclass change you can think of and made a mountain to climb due to INCOMPETENCE. If I see a non LB playing in that position again when we have Perruad on the bench and KWP in a weaker position I will go spare. Play 4 at the back, with your BEST RB playing RB, your two best CB partnership (FIND THIS and let it gel) and an actual LB. Play Lavia as holding mid, have your other mids in creative roles and the rest speaks for itself. Everyone can see this. I usually lerk here, but Jesus, I needed to write this just so I won’t go crazy. 

Good post. My only comment is KWP. Personally I don't think he's weaker at LB than RB. I think we're exposed with 2 short full backs, so I can understand why he only wants 1 on the pitch with a CB covering a full back position. That's preferable to 2 short wing backs and 3 CB's imo. 

[beatlesaint]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

With the greatest respect, his win ratio is now at around 40%
 

COYR

🤣 yeah and he’ll neglect to mention two of those 5 wins were Lincoln and Blackpool. 

[OldNick]

15 hours ago, sydney_saint said:

Man, you and duckie just literally keep making things up. Saying Adkins came from the division below, saying Liverpool were in woeful form, or saying that people like me want him to fail to be right. Actually many people wanted Ralph to fail to be proven right, and that stems right back to that Liverpool game. Some are absolutely desperate for JWP to fail and were so quick to jump on him as soon as him form dipped. But I have already written on this thread that I will yell out "I was wrong"  from the rooftops if Jones keeps up. I will be delighted to be wrong. Because unlike some, I would rather be happy and wrong, than unhappy and right. 

That is great. How about not waiting and actually trying to be positive. All the time we are eroding the confidence of the club when we dearly need the support. I dont care if you shout you were wrong as with the stupid Brexiteers, they will always make an excuse that they weren't wrong. Get behind the team and if we dont get out of trouble and are relegated dismally then you can put a great big flag out saying 'look at me, I knew it all along' Keep going on about the manager will hurt, you .me and the fanbase as the club will fail. NJ is not a wonderful manager but he is ours and so we need him to succeed. 

Anyway lets move on and hope the club is improving for us all to be happy

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

4 minutes ago, OldNick said:

That is great. How about not waiting and actually trying to be positive. All the time we are eroding the confidence of the club when we dearly need the support. I dont care if you shout you were wrong as with the stupid Brexiteers, they will always make an excuse that they weren't wrong. Get behind the team and if we dont get out of trouble and are relegated dismally then you can put a great big flag out saying 'look at me, I knew it all along' Keep going on about the manager will hurt, you .me and the fanbase as the club will fail. NJ is not a wonderful manager but he is ours and so we need him to succeed. 

Anyway lets move on and hope the club is improving for us all to be happy

nice words but the manager is showing himself to be an arrogant useless twat. 

[Miltonaggro]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

With the greatest respect, his win ratio is now at around 40%
 

COYR

Watch that go down like Monica Lewinsky over the coming weeks, assuming Ankersen refuses to lance the painful boil he created. 

[obelisk]

7 minutes ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

nice words but the manager is showing himself to be an arrogant useless twat. 

Arrogant useless twats are not exactly unknown even around here.

[Viking Saint]

1 hour ago, egg said:

Good post. My only comment is KWP. Personally I don't think he's weaker at LB than RB. I think we're exposed with 2 short full backs, so I can understand why he only wants 1 on the pitch with a CB covering a full back position. That's preferable to 2 short wing backs and 3 CB's imo. 

But playing KWP at LB and then shoehorning a CB in at RB makes us weaker overall. Play KWP and Perraud in their preferred and strongest positions. We're far more balanced as a team.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

9 minutes ago, OldNick said:

That is great. How about not waiting and actually trying to be positive. All the time we are eroding the confidence of the club when we dearly need the support. I dont care if you shout you were wrong as with the stupid Brexiteers, they will always make an excuse that they weren't wrong. Get behind the team and if we dont get out of trouble and are relegated dismally then you can put a great big flag out saying 'look at me, I knew it all along' Keep going on about the manager will hurt, you .me and the fanbase as the club will fail. NJ is not a wonderful manager but he is ours and so we need him to succeed. 

Anyway lets move on and hope the club is improving for us all to be happy

How can you continually make up excuses for a guy who is clearly so limited and lacking in any form of tactical nous? Two subs made again last night at half time, constant "formation tweaks" during the first half. It's increasingly difficult to get behind the team when you are constantly watching the same shit repeat itself every game. How did you feel about Pellegrino? What was your breaking point with Wigley and Gray? Jones is in the same mould as those guys, no question.

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

11 minutes ago, obelisk said:

Arrogant useless twats are not exactly unknown even around here.

How do you think I recognise Jones as an arrogant useless twat. Takes one to know one :-)

[OldNick]

Just now, Lee On Solent Saint said:

How can you continually make up excuses for a guy who is clearly so limited and lacking in any form of tactical nous? Two subs made again last night at half time, constant "formation tweaks" during the first half. It's increasingly difficult to get behind the team when you are constantly watching the same shit repeat itself every game. How did you feel about Pellegrino? What was your breaking point with Wigley and Gray? Jones is in the same mould as those guys, no question.

Perhaps Im not so rabid in my opinions I can see improvement. You said sfa after the 3 wins in a row. The detractors slipped bck under the rock and slip back out again when things have a downturn. It doesn't matter what I think or you think, the people that matter are those who have just spent another 60m. They chose him, they back him and quite frankly you and I mean jot. So I have the mindset on this that we have him, they are unlikely now to get rid of him unless we lose the next 3-5 games. So why twist yourselves up with formations, who YOU believe should be picked and who you would like as manager. So the way for us to be in the PL next season, is for our brilliant support to get behind us and try and roar us on to survival. Those fans last night were superb and if we can take a leaf out of their book and make SMS a place of great support it increases our chances. If we sack NJ who is there that will take us forward???

[Miltonaggro]

4 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

How can you continually make up excuses for a guy who is clearly so limited and lacking in any form of tactical nous? Two subs made again last night at half time, constant "formation tweaks" during the first half. It's increasingly difficult to get behind the team when you are constantly watching the same shit repeat itself every game. How did you feel about Pellegrino? What was your breaking point with Wigley and Gray? Jones is in the same mould as those guys, no question.

Jones is arguably a good deal worse than Pellegrino, Wigley and Gray.  Pellegrino had at least some pedigree and presence at appointment, but little investment until the death with the all or nothing grab at Carillo.  Wigley and Gray didn’t want the job in the first place but had both been good servants to the club as first team coaches. They at least had the self awareness to know they would be quickly out of their depth. All three appeared more thought out, measured and respectful than the current incumbent. 

[Charlie Wayman]

The Peter Principle has proven correct yet again. 

[Fan The Flames]

6 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Perhaps Im not so rabid in my opinions I can see improvement. You said sfa after the 3 wins in a row. The detractors slipped bck under the rock and slip back out again when things have a downturn. It doesn't matter what I think or you think, the people that matter are those who have just spent another 60m. They chose him, they back him and quite frankly you and I mean jot. So I have the mindset on this that we have him, they are unlikely now to get rid of him unless we lose the next 3-5 games. So why twist yourselves up with formations, who YOU believe should be picked and who you would like as manager. So the way for us to be in the PL next season, is for our brilliant support to get behind us and try and roar us on to survival. Those fans last night were superb and if we can take a leaf out of their book and make SMS a place of great support it increases our chances. If we sack NJ who is there that will take us forward???

If fans opinion mean jot, why are you constantly on here scolding others for being negative.

People regard the manager to be deficient and want to talk about it, they also want to discuss formations and players, it's what being a fan is about for some. Now you want to be positive and passive and that's you choice.

Plenty think the best way to stay up is to get rid of NJ and you think the best way is to roar the team on. We aren't going to agree on this point, I'm afraid.

Now if you want people to agree with you, forcing them won't work, you need a persuasive agrument.

[stevegrant]

17 minutes ago, OldNick said:

If we sack NJ who is there that will take us forward???

I mean, you're making out like we've lucked out and got a manager who is so clearly head and shoulders above anybody else and is doing a fantastic job that nobody else could do, when that is objectively obviously not the case

[Miltonaggro]

1 minute ago, stevegrant said:

I mean, you're making out like we've lucked out and got a manager who is so clearly head and shoulders above anybody else and is doing a fantastic job that nobody else could do, when that is objectively obviously not the case

Exactly this. If Ankersen and Semmens  want to save some money as well as face I’d actually be relieved of an announcement of a full clear out and the promotion of Selles with an experienced right hand man at present. 

[Fitzhugh Fella]

What worries me about Jones he already thinks he is clever enough (and the players are good enough) for him to tinker. Ralph did the same. Last night Howe picked his best 11 (the same that started at SMS) and they hit the ground running while we had a debutant, a young kid from Argentina with one start to his name and Bednarek who has come back with his tail between his legs. No wonder the game was over within 20 minutes. I never mind being beaten by the better team but at least let's give ourselves a chance.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

25 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Perhaps Im not so rabid in my opinions I can see improvement. You said sfa after the 3 wins in a row. The detractors slipped bck under the rock and slip back out again when things have a downturn. It doesn't matter what I think or you think, the people that matter are those who have just spent another 60m. They chose him, they back him and quite frankly you and I mean jot. So I have the mindset on this that we have him, they are unlikely now to get rid of him unless we lose the next 3-5 games. So why twist yourselves up with formations, who YOU believe should be picked and who you would like as manager. So the way for us to be in the PL next season, is for our brilliant support to get behind us and try and roar us on to survival. Those fans last night were superb and if we can take a leaf out of their book and make SMS a place of great support it increases our chances. If we sack NJ who is there that will take us forward???

Not sure am seeing much of an improvement. Gifted win against Palace in the cup, beat an Everton team actually worse than us. Few struggled wins against lower opposition. Beating City was just a one off. The atmosphere at St Mary's has been shit for a long time. The appointment of Jones has done nothing to bring the fan base together. 

[S-Clarke]

8 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

What worries me about Jones he already thinks he is clever enough (and the players are good enough) for him to tinker. Ralph did the same. Last night Howe picked his best 11 (the same that started at SMS) and they hit the ground running while we had a debutant, a young kid from Argentina with one start to his name and Bednarek who has come back with his tail between his legs. No wonder the game was over within 20 minutes. I never mind being beaten by the better team but at least let's give ourselves a chance.

I can't remember the last time we picked the same 11...? There's no continuity in this team, which is a lot of the problem as well. Chops and changes like there's no tomorrow. It's almost like he doesn't know his best team, but like you said I think he's overthinking and trying to be a bit too clever with tactics and personal adapt to certain situations etc.

The obvious rules in football to me, very basic...

1 - Put out your best players every week so they build up a connection/familiarity.

2 - Keep the ball out of the net

3 - Score in the other net

That's pretty much football in it's simplistic term and the most successful teams, like Newcastle, don't do anything fancy - they just do the above.

[AlexLaw76]

3 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I can't remember the last time we picked the same 11...? There's no continuity in this team, which is a lot of the problem as well. Chops and changes like there's no tomorrow. It's almost like he doesn't know his best team, but like you said I think he's overthinking and trying to be a bit too clever with tactics and personal adapt to certain situations etc.

The obvious rules in football to me, very basic...

1 - Put out your best players every week so they build up a connection/familiarity.

2 - Keep the ball out of the net

3 - Score in the other net

That's pretty much football in it's simplistic term and the most successful teams, like Newcastle, don't do anything fancy - they just do the above.

Let’s all be straight. Jones a fecking idiot and a complete imposter at this level. He knows it, we know it, and he chirps off about people having a pop at him. Unsurprising people do when he continues to defy basic logic and pick players who either should be nowhere near the team, or shit formations

 

i can’t wait to see our new shiney winger playing wingback. You know he will soon enough

[S-Clarke]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

Let’s all be straight. Jones a fecking idiot and a complete imposter at this level. He knows it, we know it, and he chirps off about people having a pop at him. Unsurprising people do when he continues to defy basic logic and pick players who either should be nowhere near the team, or shit formations

 

i can’t wait to see our new shiney winger playing wingback. You know he will soon enough

The chirping back is usually the sign of someone not very confident in their own ability as it is, so they act defensive and play the woe be me card. Seen it lots of times in work.

The right thing for Jones to have done to the criticism was to just ignore it, pass over the comments and get on with it. But his little snipes back at the fan base just scream of someone who know's he's out of his depth, so is trying to be defensive to protect his ridiculous opinion of himself.

[OldNick]

20 minutes ago, stevegrant said:

I mean, you're making out like we've lucked out and got a manager who is so clearly head and shoulders above anybody else and is doing a fantastic job that nobody else could do, when that is objectively obviously not the case

Not intending to do that, but god he was crucified before he started. Fans made their minds up and are now determined that there was a list of superb managers who  were lining up begging for the job. IMO if you were looking in from the outside, would they want to risk their reputation with the poor squad we had. 

I know im swimming against the tide but Im all for giving him a chance, we all gain from him succeeding. I was there when Lawrie was getting pelters when he first came ( I admit I was one, although only 13/14 and didnt know better) Perhaps I learnt from that and see that unlike Pellegrino, Gray Wigley , NJ has something more about him.

I will openly admit Im wrong if if does go pear shaped

[OldNick]

22 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Not sure am seeing much of an improvement. Gifted win against Palace in the cup, beat an Everton team actually worse than us. Few struggled wins against lower opposition. Beating City was just a one off. The atmosphere at St Mary's has been shit for a long time. The appointment of Jones has done nothing to bring the fan base together. 

Fair point LOS, but perhaps Im just a bit tetchy today as Im pretty jaded after a bad nights sleep, I wonder why lol

[Sheaf Saint]

4 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Not intending to do that, but god he was crucified before he started. Fans made their minds up and are now determined that there was a list of superb managers who  were lining up begging for the job. IMO if you were looking in from the outside, would they want to risk their reputation with the poor squad we had. 

I know im swimming against the tide but Im all for giving him a chance, we all gain from him succeeding. I was there when Lawrie was getting pelters when he first came ( I admit I was one, although only 13/14 and didnt know better) Perhaps I learnt from that and see that unlike Pellegrino, Gray Wigley , NJ has something more about him.

I will openly admit Im wrong if if does go pear shaped

How much of a chance are you willing to give him before you acknowledge that he's not up to it though?

I was very much with you when he was appointed. There was a lot of vitriol aimed in his direction even before we had played our first game under his charge, and I found that very distasteful. I was all for giving him the opportunity to prove himself first. But I'm not seeing any signs of improvement because he seemingly hasn't learned anything from the massive fuck ups he has already made and he keeps on making them, time and time again.

I just don't see that he is ever going to succeed here. There has been nothing on the pitch or in his interviews that gives me the slightest hope that he is learning and improving. Quite simply, he's out of his depth at PL level. People made the Liz Truss comparison, except the Tories (of all people) soon recognised the huge damage she was going to cause and moved swiftly to remove and replace her. If we don't do the same he will take us down, and I don't see how he is ever going to win the support of the fanbase.

[OldNick]

1 minute ago, Sheaf Saint said:

How much of a chance are you willing to give him before you acknowledge that he's not up to it though?

I was very much with you when he was appointed. There was a lot of vitriol aimed in his direction even before we had played our first game under his charge, and I found that very distasteful. I was all for giving him the opportunity to prove himself first. But I'm not seeing any signs of improvement because he seemingly hasn't learned anything from the massive fuck ups he has already made and he keeps on making them, time and time again.

I just don't see that he is ever going to succeed here. There has been nothing on the pitch or in his interviews that gives me the slightest hope that he is learning and improving. Quite simply, he's out of his depth at PL level. People made the Liz Truss comparison, except the Tories (of all people) soon recognised the huge damage she was going to cause and moved swiftly to remove and replace her. If we don't do the same he will take us down, and I don't see how he is ever going to win the support of the fanbase.

All fair points but Im not ready to bin him. The Forest game did him untold damage that reinforced the naysayers opinion. I was fortunate that I didnt see that game and so cant comment apart from I have seen nobody give any positives of that game. If we get rid of him, the team will then have to absorb another set of ideas (something they dont seem to be able to do easily now) At present it looks as though the players are still with him. 

New players give us another hope and I will get great satisfaction if he does turn things, especially as we are all winners

[Lee On Solent Saint]

12 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Fair point LOS, but perhaps Im just a bit tetchy today as Im pretty jaded after a bad nights sleep, I wonder why lol

Am just pissed as because we seem to have owners who are prepared to put some money in with transfers, we end up with a manager who is clueless. Seems the years with Gao have meant nothing if we go down now. 

[Saint NL]

Has a team ever broken their transfer record and sacked a manager in 24hours?

 

[Miltonaggro]

17 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

Has a team ever broken their transfer record and sacked a manager in 24hours?

 

If we do now, it could be the best transfer window of all time! 

[Whitey Grandad]

5 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

I asked chatgpt why we play 5 at the back

So in summary it is negative, submissive and leaves you short in midfield.

[sydney_saint]

The issue with just giving him the season for the sake of it are the stakes are pretty high. If we were comfortable mid-table - sure why not. But we aren't, and the cost of continuing with a manager who isn't really giving us any signs he is up to it is relegation. There's a reason why the fan haven't warmed to him. Fans can warm to a manager pretty quickly but they either have to be delivering results straight away, or showcase a clear blueprint and way of playing that they can get results. Poch walked into a firestorm with the anger around Adkins. But from game one showed a clear way of playing. 

I don't care too much about relegation if it was just that, but I have no real idea about how healthy the finances of the club are, and I really don't want us to plummet again like last time. I don't really trust those running the club at the moment to have the finances healthy. 

I actually agree with OldNick that there aren't gonna be a huge amount of quality managers that want the job. It's why I didn't really want to let go of Ralph, because I thought the chances are we would downgrade. But I do think there are better managers out there than NJ who would give us more of a chance. 

[Fitzhugh Fella]

1 hour ago, OldNick said:

Not intending to do that, but god he was crucified before he started. Fans made their minds up and are now determined that there was a list of superb managers who  were lining up begging for the job. IMO if you were looking in from the outside, would they want to risk their reputation with the poor squad we had. 

I know im swimming against the tide but Im all for giving him a chance, we all gain from him succeeding. I was there when Lawrie was getting pelters when he first came ( I admit I was one, although only 13/14 and didnt know better) Perhaps I learnt from that and see that unlike Pellegrino, Gray Wigley , NJ has something more about him.

I will openly admit Im wrong if if does go pear shaped

We are already half way there Nick. If you were in charge of the club Branfoot would still be in charge. 

[Dman]

1 hour ago, OldNick said:

Not intending to do that, but god he was crucified before he started. Fans made their minds up and are now determined that there was a list of superb managers who  were lining up begging for the job. IMO if you were looking in from the outside, would they want to risk their reputation with the poor squad we had. 

I know im swimming against the tide but Im all for giving him a chance, we all gain from him succeeding. I was there when Lawrie was getting pelters when he first came ( I admit I was one, although only 13/14 and didnt know better) Perhaps I learnt from that and see that unlike Pellegrino, Gray Wigley , NJ has something more about him.

I will openly admit Im wrong if if does go pear shaped

With good reason Tbf. It was bloody obviously a terrible appointment from the get go. 

The warning signs were there following the Lincoln game and we’re even more bloody obvious after the forest game. 

No one would ever convince me that Nathan Jones was our only / best option. It’s ridiculous to even suggest that.  

[Viking Saint]

29 minutes ago, sydney_saint said:

The issue with just giving him the season for the sake of it are the stakes are pretty high. If we were comfortable mid-table - sure why not. But we aren't, and the cost of continuing with a manager who isn't really giving us any signs he is up to it is relegation. There's a reason why the fan haven't warmed to him. Fans can warm to a manager pretty quickly but they either have to be delivering results straight away, or showcase a clear blueprint and way of playing that they can get results. Poch walked into a firestorm with the anger around Adkins. But from game one showed a clear way of playing. 

I don't care too much about relegation if it was just that, but I have no real idea about how healthy the finances of the club are, and I really don't want us to plummet again like last time. I don't really trust those running the club at the moment to have the finances healthy. 

I actually agree with OldNick that there aren't gonna be a huge amount of quality managers that want the job. It's why I didn't really want to let go of Ralph, because I thought the chances are we would downgrade. But I do think there are better managers out there than NJ who would give us more of a chance. 

Given the amount that we've just spent in this window, the worst and most expensive time.to buy players, you'd think we're relatively stable. It defeats me how the club can spend that much on players but fail to acknowledge where the real problem lies.

We are still (for now) a Premiership club and will be attractive to a huge number of managers who want to test themselves or return to this league. Emery and Lopetegui were both available but we dithered so much in dismissing Ralph (which was the right call imo), that those options were no longer available when it came to it. Still can't believe NJ was really the most attractive option out there

Edited 1 February, 2023 by Viking Saint

[sydney_saint]

6 minutes ago, Viking Saint said:

Given the amount that we've just spent in this window, the worst and most expensive time.to buy players, you'd think we're relatively stable. It defeats me how the club can spend that much on players but fail to acknowledge where the real problem lies.

We are still (for now) a Premiership club and will be attractive to a huge number of managers who want to test themselves or return to this league. Emery and Lopetegui were both available but we dithered so much in dismissing Ralph (which was the right call imo), that those options were no longer available when it came to it. Still can't believe NJ was really the most attractive option out there

I think Emery and Lopetgui were exceptional cases. The latter's agent is a Mendes client I am pretty sure, and even then he dithered about taking the job, and I can kind see the appeal of Villa for a manager like emery as they have a decent team, historically big club with a bit of cash to spend. I'm not sure we could have realistically have got either but of course that's a guess. There's a handful of good out of work managers but whether they are interested I am not sure. Bosz, Gallardo, Benitez, Bielsa I would all have taken to replace Ralph, but whether they are keen?

[SotonianWill]

Are SWF going to give jones a bit more time with his new found striker and forward player? 3 or so more games, then make your mind up?

[egg]

2 hours ago, Viking Saint said:

But playing KWP at LB and then shoehorning a CB in at RB makes us weaker overall. Play KWP and Perraud in their preferred and strongest positions. We're far more balanced as a team.

Yes we are from an attacking sense on one side, but we lack height on crosses and dead balls at each end. 

[NewYorkSaint]

So let's see... the same man who just pulled off the best January window I can remember for Saints - and it was him working personally on these signings - is also the man who appointed a man he has got to know over many years as a super-smart, data-driven, fanatically hard-working manager.  One achievement is rated 8-10/10 by most on here. The other seems to be rated 0-5/10 by many on here.   These ratings don't make sense. 

I would rather take the stance that it might take time to fully understand a manager's strengths. We've had a couple of months. He's had years. He knows football better than most of us do and has many £millions of personal money on the line here.  He's now given NJ the tools he needs to get this club a-moving up the table.   I for one will be patiently and excitedly waiting, and in the meantime giving NJ, and Rasmus, full support.  

[OldNick]

55 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

We are already half way there Nick. If you were in charge of the club Branfoot would still be in charge. 

Lol , no he wouldn't. Iam not going to bite as Im sure I could roll out many names that you have been bitter about at the club in the past as they have somehow upset you. 

Nathan Jones red and white army. Youll be singing that before the end of the season😀😀

[OldNick]

52 minutes ago, Dman said:

With good reason Tbf. It was bloody obviously a terrible appointment from the get go. 

The warning signs were there following the Lincoln game and we’re even more bloody obvious after the forest game. 

No one would ever convince me that Nathan Jones was our only / best option. It’s ridiculous to even suggest that.  

Forgive me if Im wrong, but was it you who suggested for us to bring back Tella and to send Edozie in exchange on loan??

[AlexLaw76]

8 minutes ago, NewYorkSaint said:

 

So let's see... the same man who just pulled off the best January window I can remember for Saints - and it was him working personally on these signings - is also the man who appointed a man he has got to know over many years as a super-smart, data-driven, fanatically hard-working manager.  One achievement is rated 8-10/10 by most on here. The other seems to be rated 0-5/10 by many on here.   These ratings don't make sense. 

I would rather take the stance that it might take time to fully understand a manager's strengths. We've had a couple of months. He's had years. He knows football better than most of us do and has many £millions of personal money on the line here.  He's now given NJ the tools he needs to get this club a-moving up the table.   I for one will be patiently and excitedly waiting, and in the meantime giving NJ, and Rasmus, full support.  

Let’s see how awesome this looks in the championship?!

[OldNick]

2 hours ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

What worries me about Jones he already thinks he is clever enough (and the players are good enough) for him to tinker. Ralph did the same. Last night Howe picked his best 11 (the same that started at SMS) and they hit the ground running while we had a debutant, a young kid from Argentina with one start to his name and Bednarek who has come back with his tail between his legs. No wonder the game was over within 20 minutes. I never mind being beaten by the better team but at least let's give ourselves a chance.

Duncan all your concerns are valid, but taking into account our squad to theirs, the eye on future games and trying to find the answer is not easy. I agree that 5 at the back was a mistake, but to be fair he wouldnt hve exppected the dereliction of duty by AA and Alcaraz not tracking runs. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

28 minutes ago, NewYorkSaint said:

 

So let's see... the same man who just pulled off the best January window I can remember for Saints - and it was him working personally on these signings - is also the man who appointed a man he has got to know over many years as a super-smart, data-driven, fanatically hard-working manager.  One achievement is rated 8-10/10 by most on here. The other seems to be rated 0-5/10 by many on here.   These ratings don't make sense. 

I would rather take the stance that it might take time to fully understand a manager's strengths. We've had a couple of months. He's had years. He knows football better than most of us do and has many £millions of personal money on the line here.  He's now given NJ the tools he needs to get this club a-moving up the table.   I for one will be patiently and excitedly waiting, and in the meantime giving NJ, and Rasmus, full support.  

I'm guessing you aren't a regular at St Marys this season?!

[Whitey Grandad]

4 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Duncan all your concerns are valid, but taking into account our squad to theirs, the eye on future games and trying to find the answer is not easy. I agree that 5 at the back was a mistake, but to be fair he wouldnt hve exppected the dereliction of duty by AA and Alcaraz not tracking runs. 

AA couldn’t be expected to track a run all the way back to his goalkeeper.

[OldNick]

5 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

AA couldn’t be expected to track a run all the way back to his goalkeeper.

Not sure what you mean, i think the player was 10yardsout? but surely leaving him when he ran into the area was totally wrong. It seems other clubs players track the run where ever he runs 

[Dman]

33 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Forgive me if Im wrong, but was it you who suggested for us to bring back Tella and to send Edozie in exchange on loan??

No. I’ve always said and maintain that Tella isn’t good enough at this level. 

[OldNick]

1 minute ago, Dman said:

No. I’ve always said and maintain that Tella isn’t good enough at this level. 

Apologies then Dman. 

[Dman]

1 hour ago, SotonianWill said:

Are SWF going to give jones a bit more time with his new found striker and forward player? 3 or so more games, then make your mind up?

It’s extremely naive to think that it’s just a striker that’s our issue. It hasn’t helped, but we’re still piss poor. Worse than before in fact. That’s on Jones. 

[OldNick]

47 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Let’s see how awesome this looks in the championship?!

you'll be like a pig in... then you can tell the world 'I was right, I told them so'