NATHAN Jones admitted he has a big challenge on his hands to turn around this Saints season but claimed he “knew that before” he took the job.

Saints are bottom of the Premier League after a sixth successive defeat, with the last four under Jones, coming 1-0 at the hands of relegation rivals Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

It leaves his side three points behind West Ham United and Everton – with a trip to the Toffees up next in the Premier League – and two behind the improving Wolves in 19th.

Only twice in the last decade has a team survived the drop in this position, while Jones does have the opportunity to be boosted by impending January transfers.

READ MOREMislav Orisc undergoing medical at Saints today ahead of upcoming transfer

Speaking after the defeat to Forest, Jones said: “I’m from a Welsh mining community and managing in the Premier League - everything is a challenge.

Daily Echo: Nathan Jones

“Everything is a challenge in life in terms of being a footballer, being released when I was younger. Every single thing that I've done in my career has been a challenge and I wasn’t gifted in anything and it’s the same here.”

He added: “It’s a big challenge and I knew that before I came in but I tend to get the big challenges. I don’t think I’ve had an easy job.

“I took over Luton when they were 18th in League Two. When I took over Stoke City they were in a really poor moment. When I took over Luton again they were seven points adrift with nine games to go.

“I’ve never gone into a challenge like the place I left Luton in, where everything is on a high. I’ve always gone to a place where I’ve needed to lift and this is no different.”

Saints have a reprieve from Premier League action with two cup matches in the next week, visiting Crystal Palace and hosting Manchester City.

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