SAINTS bosses Martin Semmens and Henrik Kraft addressed fears of relegation and reaffirmed plans of ‘long-term investment’ in the club regardless of outcome. 

The St Mary’s side currently sit bottom of the Premier League and are three points clear of safety after six defeats in seven league games of Jones’s tenure.

Saints had only won three times in the 14 matches prior to the Welshman’s appointment too, while Sport Republic’s Rasmus Ankersen has reaffirmed belief in Jones as boss.

Speaking at the latest fans’ forum held at St Mary’s on Tuesday night, supporters questioned the hierarchy on what would happen if the worst came to be by May.

Semmens, still CEO of the club despite the increased involvement of Sport Republic’s arms in the year since their arrival, responded first.

“I can wholeheartedly say we are, from an infrastructure point of view, in the best state we have been in since I've been here,” he said.

“I can take criticism for strategy but not investment, the investment is there. I have reassurances from the owners that they will back us to the end.”

Kraft, who works alongside Ankersen in Dragan Solak’s investment firm, added: “Obviously we really, really, really don’t want to get relegated.

“We’ve invested a lot of money to help the team get stronger to avoid that. We all want the same thing. We’re all in the same boat.

“We all want a successful, strong Southampton team winning games in the Premier League. We’re working tirelessly to maximise the probability of that happening.”

He continued: “If the worst happens and we end up getting relegated we are fully committed to the club, it’s a long-term investment for all of us involved.

“We believe in the club and will do everything we can to come back as quickly as possible. I think that’s all we can say now.”

Don't miss a moment with our Saints morning briefing email.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article on the Daily Echo. Your support means we can bring you the latest breaking news, exclusive Saints features and coverage - and much more.

Digital subscribers get unrestricted access to all of our stories, our dedicated app including e-version of the newspaper, and an advertising-light website.

If you want all the latest articles delivered straight to your inbox you can join the thousands of subscribers who are signed up to our newsletters.

They include our popular daily morning news briefing, breaking news, crime and court, and Southampton FC bulletins - plus business, heritage and our what's on newsletters.