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As the days to forget go by, it will have been hard to top this one in Southampton’s season so far.
It was hard to decide which was worse: the offer on the pitch or the supporters’ rebellion in the stands, which reached toxic new levels as Southampton slid to Premier League defeat again and overshadowed another outstanding performance from dreamy Brentford. with a European tour. .
As the team they had traveled to see crumbled in front of them, the away fans turned up the pressure on their coach under fire with a series of chants against Nathan Jones.
Take your pick which would have been the hardest for Jones to listen to as his doubters piled on.
‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ came first with Southampton two down after quick first-half goals from Ben Mee and Bryan Mbeumo and after Jones retired promising midfielder Romeo Lavia, no doubt shortly after being booked . .
Pressure continues to mount on Nathan Jones after Southampton suffered heavy defeat
The Bees ran rampant against their opposition and dream of European football.
Ben Mee headed in the opening set to give Brentford the lead 41 minutes into the game.
Bryan Mbeumo’s goal three minutes later dealt a blow to Southampton’s hopes.
‘Nathan Jones your football sucks’ was also broadcast, urged to ‘get out of our club’, while Southampton fans also joined in as Brentford sang about their manager being sacked in the morning and the team going . below.
One of the things Jones can never be accused of is hiding.
At full time he came forward, taking his players to the fans and the responsibility on his shoulders, to then come out fighting.
“I don’t want to moonwalk through the tunnel,” he said. ‘Stand up and be counted and I want my players to do that. I have never shied away from a challenge. That’s right.
“The fans saw a performance today that justified those sayings [chants] and that’s okay. I have broad shoulders, so I take care of everything.
Including the reason why Southampton have struggled to get Premier League results.
They have only one of seven league games, despite progressing in both cup competitions.
“I have compromised certain principles for one reason, the staff, but two, the way people want to play, for the fans, etc. I listened to people and it hurt me, but no more,” Jones explained.
Mathias Jensen added a third late to see the Bees move into the top seven of the Premier League
The result leaves Brentford in seventh position in the table ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea.
‘I’ve gone far from it [his successful methods at Luton]maybe because it’s the Premier League, maybe because of certain players and internationals, but no more.
Now I will live and die according to my own philosophy.
With the fans spinning the way they did, that situation looks even harder to salvage than Southampton, who are bottom of the table.
Asked if he will have time to make the changes he wants, Jones said: “I don’t know, that’s not a question for me.” But I hope so.
In stark contrast to the mood in Southampton, the GTech Community Stadium was jumping once more after another scintillating home win and a performance that saw them climb to seventh place.
They are now unbeaten in nine in the league and head to the top of the Arsenal table confident that they can win and that they could expect even greater rewards.
Thomas Frank said when asked about Europe’s prospects: ‘I am a dreamer but I am very aware of this unforgiving league. We have to work hard to maintain the position we are in.’
Mee, Bryan Mbeumo and Mathias Jensen were Brentford’s scorers and three of their standout players.
But there were many on Frank’s side who outplayed their opponents across the field.
Brentford had to wait until the 41st minute for their first goal, but by then they fully deserved it. Mee rose gamely to head in Mbeumo’s cross and was thankfully on his feet after a sickening butt of heads with Mohammed Salisu that left both men briefly downed.
Southampton debuted Kamaldeen Sulemana and Paul Onuachu but they couldn’t make an impact in the second half
Thomas Frank celebrates in front of the fans who will have been happy with what he saw
Three minutes later they doubled their lead when another fine play from Brentford ended with Mbeumo converting Yoane Wissa’s cutback.
Just like against Newcastle in their defeat in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Tuesday, conceding two goals in quick succession, this time even closer together, had given Southampton an uphill task.
Jones’ attacking changes, including the half-time introduction of deadline-day signings winger Kamaldeen Sulemana and striker Paul Onuachu, gave them more of a threat, though they were unable to convert that into goals.
Brentford had no such problems and Southampton’s misery was complete when the excellent Jensen was allowed into the box and headed in Rico Henry’s cross to make it 3-0.