Southampton supporters's biggest questions on Jones and more answered

Apologies if I could not be 100 per cent clear on your concern, some things we will have to wait for clarity from the club.

Nathan Jones dominated the talking points as expected and I am also looking forward to learning more about the Welshman in the coming months.

Without further ado, let us get into the questions and answers…

Would Nathan Jones be prepared to make a substitution as early as the 20th minute if he could see a tactical shift would change a game? Gary Nicholson

I think you can definitely see the pedigree of a manager when they are willing to rip up their beloved plans early if they are clearly not working. I remember Graham Potter doing something similar earlier this season, and in a period where I felt Ralph Hasenhuttl was largely stitched up – the defeat at Crystal Palace as a result of inactivity in the first half was his biggest error.

I’ve taken a look at Jones’s 20 matches as Luton Town boss this season for you. He did make changes on three occasions within 30 minutes – but those were all injuries! What I can tell you is that on five occasions he made tactical personnel switches at half-time. Those came when 2-0 down to Watford, 3-2 up versus Huddersfield, 2-1 up versus Coventry and drawing 0-0 with Cardiff.

The fifth occasion was a half-time triple substitution when trailing 2-0 at Bristol City. Bearing in mind Jones made a triple change at Anfield before 60 minutes in his first Premier League match and did so with Luton, he is definitely not sub-shy.

Do you think in the board's eyes, after watching us since August, that they see the need to invest in the squad in January? @SaintRob_

Aside from the forward they desperately need and that you go on to mention later in your question, I’m not 100 per cent certain there will be big changes. A lot of the problem areas have been as a result of injuries – Tino Livramento and Kyle Walker-Peters solve full-back issues while Romeo Lavia is now back and Ainsley Maitland-Niles is stepping up in midfield.

Despite the fact Saints are in the bottom three, Jones has been clear there will not be a spending splurge. He is there to improve the £60-70million of talent already acquired in the summer. Sport Republic should invest in a quality forward to lift the pressure of Che Adams but elsewhere could depend on outgoings first.

With Moi Elyounoussi’s contract running down, Ibrahima Diallo’s progress faltering, Stuart Armstrong’s influence waning and the likes of Adam Armstrong or Sekou Mara potentially needing to score goals elsewhere for the time being, maybe they add something a bit different in one of their positions.

Wil Nathan Jones be moving to the area with his family or is he commuting from Luton? Allan Merson

A good question. I’m told he will be moving to the area, yes – but it’s already been a busy enough week or two for him!

Are you aware of any fixtures planned for the World Cup break? @sfcJoe_

I’m not sure if fixtures have been 100 per cent finalised yet but Jones told me after Liverpool that they had games and a trip coming up.

Miami was the intended location but clarification on that after recent changes is something we are all waiting for in the media too. Regardless of what happens, the intention will certainly be to play before the EFL Cup and Boxing Day creeps up. Let’s see.

Do you think there is an option for our loan players to be recalled during this break so NJ can have a look at them? Kate Horne

Yes. Typically, Saints reserve the option to recall their players out on loan and definitely when it is one of the younger lads. Thierry Small has already returned to the club to assess his next steps but I think the only other one Jones could need to have a look at is Nathan Tella.

The 23-year-old has scored six and proven an all-round menace for Burnley, who currently sit top of the Championship. He is playing the most regular football of his career so – with a contract here until 2025 anyway – do you want to disturb that?

Elsewhere, Dynel Simeu smashes League Two again and may need something more progressive but that likely won’t involve Jones. Last season, both Kayne Ramsay and Dan Nlundulu were recalled and moved to a different club in January.

Do you think the board are concerned about the timing of the World Cup before the transfer window potentially heavily inflating prices for players who have a good showing or are most potential targets not taking part? @150Tommyboy

It’s certainly something that will worry the big spenders of the world but there are a few ways of looking at this. Rarely do football operations cease to such an extent at this time of the year and maybe that leads to clubs turning transfer work into overdrive for an additional month before the window opens – although work is being done all the time, always.

Firstly, Saints are very grateful for the timing of this break as a result of huge changes being made to the coaching setup with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s exit, so any negatives are offset immediately by the calming of potential chaos. Secondly, it definitely means players in the bracket of Cody Gakpo – who the club tried to sign on deadline day but is now a target beyond realistic expectation for Saints – will have a chance to inflate their price in Qatar.

I lean towards your final point, most targets are probably not those taking part or playing a significant role in their team’s success. Saints also have the fewest players of any Premier League club away from the group for this pre-season, just Mohammed Salisu and Armel Bella-Kotchap, so it has definitely come at a time that has suited them.

Hi Alfie. I would like to know what Kat Liebherr’s involvement with the club is please? Tim Cull

Due to the increased investment by Sport Republic this summer, her shares were diluted so that she no longer owns 20 per cent of the club – although they remain the same monetary value. Katharina Liebherr can be, on occasion, seen with Sport Republic in the director’s seats and she remains committed to the club. But it is a minimal shareholding so operationally her involvement is limited and leans more towards legacy.

Do you think that there is any forwards in the B team or under 18s that can break into the first team this season? Ken Lovett

Breaking into the first team on a regular Premier League scale – probably not. The B team’s most prolific forwards are 16 and 17 years old, while Sam Bellis is a little bit older but not at the top level yet.

Dom Ballard has already scored on his professional debut, away in the EFL Cup at Cambridge United, and Jimmy Jay Morgan was an unused substitute last week versus Sheffield Wednesday.

I hope we see Morgan given his first chance versus Lincoln City after the World Cup break; he scored twice versus a senior Portsmouth at Fratton Park and has back-to-back braces in under-21 games since.

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