Nathan Jones defends decision to head down tunnel at final whistle of Southampton’s loss to Wolves

Nathan Jones has said he was “disappointed and frustrated” after walking straight down the tunnel following Southampton’s loss to Wolves.

Jones is under increasing pressure at St Mary’s, and came in for criticism from sections of the crowd during the game on Saturday.

At the final whistle, Jones went straight down the tunnel.

He was questioned about his thinking in his press conference, and said it was the first time in his career in management he had taken such action. But he felt staying and engaging with the crowd could have made matters worse.

“I have never done that in my life before,” Jones said of his decision to head down the tunnel at the final whistle. “In 390 games, I have never done that. But I am not sure if me going round clapping would have shown respect.”

Asked about the pressure he is under, with Saints at the foot of the table, Jones said: “I couldn’t feel any more pressure than I have been under this week.

“We have to keep fighting. I’m really disappointed and frustrated.”

Jones felt there were positives to take from the 2-1 defeat.

“I thought for 60 minutes we were really good – first half we were excellent, probably as good as we’ve played at home,” Jones said. “We were front-footed, aggressive, went after the game, created enough chances to have taken more of a lead, but we didn’t.

“In the second half we had a real glorious chance to go two up, and you just fear then. We tried to make positive changes to make sure we stayed front footed, but it wasn’t to be.

“They showed a little bit more quality in the final third than we did. They scrambled in one goal, but the second goal is a good finish and we just needed to show a little bit of that.

“It’s understandable. With the team, what they do and everything it’s really understandable that confidence is low and they’re a bit worried, but I didn’t really see any issues.”