2-0.
How else do I start this article? For the first time in eight and a half years Manchester City, the well oiled machine that is infamous for their explosive, high scoring performances, have been knocked out of a cup by more than one goal. Not only has the phenomenon happened, but the final blow has been dealt by relegation favourites Southampton. Sitting square at the bottom of the premier league table with only 12 points, nobody could have predicted this result.
But what’s changed? Only last week I was sat here with my head in my hands, left questioning everything and full to the brim of frustration after an abysmal performance against fellow relegation contenders Nottingham Forest.
The performance from the squad last night was that of a team transformed. There was this immense chemistry buzzing from player to player with link up play happening all over the pitch. The James Ward Prowse we all know and love was back at his best, pressing high and causing chaos for City’s midfield and defence with an inhumanely insane work rate, and Lavia was clearing up any messes that this left behind him. Djenepo was full throttle, scoring his first goal in 22 months thanks to a beautiful passage of play from Lyanco. Gavin was back to his confident self and extinguishing any flicker of threat City’s front line posed. Haaland was bombarded with chants of “you’re just a s*** Rickie Lambert” as it echoed around the stadium. As the final whistle blew, fans erupted, singing all the way out the stadium and through the streets, full of hope that tides are changing: but are they?
Despite the performance, Nathan Jones is still under heavy criticism. One fan I spoke to said “I’m happy to be proven wrong, but Jones has only really done that once. Even the FA cup win against Crystal Palace was mostly against the run of play, and while I like to see cup wins I would much rather see league wins because that’s where our targets and primary focus should be at. Yes, Southampton played the best football I’ve seen them play in months but even outplaying, out scoring and keeping a clean sheet against a Manchester City side, still doesn’t make up for 6 consecutive home losses prior to the match. I definitely agree that personally I’ve jumped the gun to be so critical of Nathan Jones but I’m also not going to be so quick to sing his praises. If this bad run in the league keeps going into February and March then we will be running out of time very fast and unable to turn around results. Maybe Nathan Jones is here to do more than help us in the Championship, maybe the Southampton board saw crazy potential and genuinely appointed him because he was the best option to keep us in the league but we are in a very unstable position right now and things can quickly go uphill or downhill.”. Many fans were leaning into more optimistic territory towards the new manager, and understandable so, however after his press conference it appears tensions between him and the supporters are already beginning to get spiky again. In his press conference this morning Nathan Jones said “some of it is justified, some of it is not” when asked about the criticism he has faced. Under @_sfc_fans post on Instagram about the quotes, the fans share their annoyance at Jones’ responses to the media. “Had the chance to reunite the fans and club but used it to brag and take shots” is one of many comments – they all hold a similar tone.
Despite the fans resentment, many at the club still have belief still. Owners Sport Republic’s co-founder Rasmus Ankensen has recently said “This was never going to be an appointment for great PR, especially if he didn’t get the best start in the world. It’s more of an appointment for substance and hopefully it will work out well.” when questioned further he held onto his line of discussion saying “Nathan Jones was was manager of the year in the sixth best league in the world last year, it’s not bad. The guy has at least some track record.”. The question is though – while Jones may have quality in the Championship, does he have the ability to step up that extra level to the Premier League?
All this said, regardless of Jones’ debatable competency, something at the club has changed over this last week.The players who faced City, fearless and clinical, were not the players who have showed up for the last six appearances on their home turf, defeated and uninterested. There is a sense of newfound ambition and commitment to a team that many appeared to have lost hope in.
Already the Saints have announced 2 new signings in this usually quiet January transfer window, and two well seasoned, experienced players – Orsic being the stand out. With goals against Milan, Chelsea, Sevilla and hat-ricks in both the Europa and Champions league (against Tottenham Hotspur and Atalanta) he could be that clinical missing piece. His signing also gives hope to many who have been questioning Sport Republic’s ambition and direction. This youthful side has been in desperate need of a senior player who can take young talents under his wing and bring up the in game quality with it, and he may just be the answer to our prayers. Not only is it a positive sign for us as fans but it spurs the players on to, showing them the club is still invested in staying in the premier league for another season and that they have a direction now.
Overall, this time between City and Everton is a time to celebrate, but also pray the form continues to the game that really matters on Saturday. If there has ever been a 6 point match, it’s this one.
Poppy Deabill (@pdeabill_football)