‘Live and die by my decisions’ – Southampton boss Nathan Jones takes responsibility for poor Premier League form

Nathan Jones says he will “live and die” by his decisions as Southampton manager, with the club in danger of relegation from the top flight for the first time since 2005.

The club have lost eight of their last nine league games – six of which have come under Jones since his appointment in November – with the latest being a heavy 3-0 defeat at Brentford.

Following the game in west London, Jones sparked controversy with comments in his post-match press conference.

“Statistically, there weren’t many better than me around Europe,” he said as he referred to last season at his second spell as Luton Town boss.

“I’ve compromised. I’ve compromised in terms of certain principles because of one, personnel, but two, the way that people want to play and so on.”

His comments didn’t go down well with a handful of senior playing staff, but despite this, the club’s hierarchy backed him.

Ahead of a huge game this weekend against Wolves who sit 15th in the table, just two points clear of the drop zone and five points above Southampton, Jones has defended his comments and hit back at criticism he received.

“I wasn’t doing that at all,” he said. “In fact, I was doing the opposite. I was accepting responsibility for all the results. What I said was I have compromised things I do on a day-to-day basis, which are my decisions.

“I don’t get pressure from anyone. I listen to people, like I do at every other club. But I live and die by my decisions. That’s not shifting the blame.

“In fact, I felt I was too honest because I was accepting responsibility for every single thing, because that’s what I’ve always done.

“If you want a headline, here it is – I accept responsibility. I’ve done that every time during my six-year [managerial] career.”

He went on to talk about how he has dealt with the criticism this week mentally.

“You’re a manager,” Jones said. “The higher you go, the more scrutiny you get.

“I’m a religious man. I believe in God. God gives me strength. I’ve had to work hard to get here. I have real belief in the work we do.”

A win against Wolves could lift Southampton off the bottom of the table and level with Everton on 18 points, with the rejuvenated Toffees facing a tricky test at Anfield on Monday night.

When asked whether the game against Wolves is “make or break”, Jones said: “I don’t know, I can’t answer that. There’s been a lot of speculation but I can’t answer that.”