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 MORE: Mislav 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.
“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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