Considering their form in recent times, few would have predicted that Southampton would overcome Manchester City in their Carabao Cup quarter-final last night.
They currently sit bottom of the Premier League, and while City have had some patchy form themselves this season, it was assumed that this fixture would be somewhat of a formality for Pep Guardiola's side.
The reality was different. Southampton would emerge as 2-0 winners, with this first half strike from Moussa Djenepo the highlight of the game.
OH MY WORD! THAT FINISH! 🔥
Southampton have TWO! pic.twitter.com/4j5V8iVkSi— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 11, 2023
They will now face Newcastle United in the semi-finals of the competition.
Nathan Jones throws dig at Non-League manager
Despite only being appointed in November, Nathan Jones has already been coming under pressure in his position at Southampton. Many of the club's supporters had seemingly turned on him, while there has been no shortage of criticism of the job he has done up to this point.
Speaking on BBC Radio Solent last week, manager of Non-League club Havant & Waterlooville Paul Dowsell said Jones was out of his depth.
He’s out of his depth, and not only out of his depth but by some way as well.
I hate to say that, but it is true. He’s out of his depth by some way and his coaches are too.
While you would not expect a Premier League manager to pay heed to such comments, it seems as though Nathan Jones has been listening to what has been said about him.
Speaking after last night's win over Manchester City, he took the opportunity to throw a dig of his own at the Non-League boss. Despite this, he says that the criticism directed his way has not bothered him.
I don't know if I changed perceptions [of himself and his side]Within 10 minutes of the Brighton game [a 3-1 defeat on Boxing Day], I was inept.
The non-league manager criticised me the other day. It baffled me. I don't speak about Havant & Waterlooville. I don't speak about levels I don't know about...
I have ignored everything really and I don’t want it to be a big issue because some of it’s justified, some of it’s not.
I took umbrage to one thing really (Doswell’s comments). When you’re in the public eye and when you do a job like managers do, you’re going to get criticism regardless of what you do at every level.
It’s nothing to do with thick skin or not, I think I’ve held myself with real dignity in terms of recent weeks and hopefully now coming through.
I don’t hear it. I was informed about one incident, that’s it. I don’t read social media, I don’t read press much. I block everything out. I have tunnel vision on trying to do a job for Southampton.
He definitely kept the receipts.
Regardless of how things go for Nathan Jones and Southampton over the remainder of the season, it seems clear that he won't be taking any criticism lying down.
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