Went last night with the boy. It wasn't pretty, though I get the impression you all know that. Not sure Jones has change within him and here's why. I'm not sure anyone else has spoken about this aspect of his personality. I kept my mouth shut when we took him on (because I'm basically supportive and I know this comment will upset some on here) but my biggest concern was that he's an evangelical Christian who claims to talk directly to God* and to take guidance from him. What that screams is that he's prepared to ignore evidence, will just take things on faith and listens to voices in his head. The problem is that he accepts those voices and their ideas as coming from an infallible source rather than questioning whether they stack up. That doesn't suggest flexibility to me. If you truly believe your thoughts are coming from God and he is telling you to do something in a particular way, would you doubt it? Would you look for contradictory evidence? If you sincerely think God is telling you your team will win if you just tell them to hoof it up to the fella up front, do you question the advice? I just hope God tells him to go four at the back for the next few games. God could also maybe redirect a few of Che's shots goalwards. And make him taller to be able to challenge tall CBs for the hoofs forward. Vin *Evidence here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/christianity-football-faith-nathan-jones-luton-town-137163 - "I’ve done everything with God, said ‘Show me is this the right move’ and I’ve followed God’s word."
Perhaps God could tell him that he should leave quietly, though the issue is that he knows he ain’t getting near another big job again after this, so he might conveniently ignore that voice. It’ll be the devil talking or some such bollocks.
Just read that. As an Atheist I am more worried than before. Maybe he believes that God punched the ball in the net to fro Maradona in 1986.
Oh to be a fly on the wall today; in the changing room and board room …. Ps. Still in absolute total shock at that performance last eve. Pps. Tried really hard to get into a positive mind frame for y’day game, so much so, I said even a draw would be ok & something to build on. What I witnessed, set up, tactics, performance & effort was nothing short of abysmal. Chaotic, Shocking. Stunned.
Mrs Onionman also wonders whether he's getting the team praying before games. It would mightily piss off anyone atheist, anyone from another branch of Christianity, anyone who liked to keep their beliefs to themselves or anyone called, for example, Mohammed. I hope she's wrong but anything's possible with evangelists who believe they hear the voice of God... Vin
Can you not see how this is simply prejudice on your own part? Judge him by his actions, by all means, but don’t judge a man for his beliefs unless you have real evidence that those beliefs are affecting his actions. Which, as you have stated yourself, you do not.
As a "non practising Christian" (i.e I don't go to church, except hatches, matches and despatches and the occasional carol signing) I have my beliefs, but when it comes to religion in football there is a vast diversity involved, but it doesn't affect things a lot, fasting is a problem, but that has to be dealt with sensibly. Most fans' religion is a belief in the Manager and his players, everything else goes out of the window. If anyone asks I just tell them I pray at St Marys.
If this was the case it would’ve come out a long time ago. He has coached/managed at a few clubs before Saints and I’m sure the transfer policy at these clubs wasnt Evangelical Christians only. Seems ****y to start slagging him off because of beliefs he has with no evidence that it is causing issues behind the scenes
If you read the article linked above he states that he does what God tells him to do. "I’ve done everything with God, said ‘Show me is this the right move’ and I’ve followed God’s word." If that's not his beliefs affecting his actions I don't know what is. I'm sorry this upsets you (you were a reason I didn't mention it before because I know this winds you up) but if you think it's prejudice to quote his actual words where he says he asks God for guidance (and claims to hear back) then I can't help you. It's affecting his actions. Replace the emotional word "God" with "my mate Derek" and tell me if you'd accept that his trust in Derek was affecting his actions?
I'm pointing out that if he speaks to God to find out the answers he's not using rationality. He's using unchallenged voices in his head.
