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Is Nathan Jones Really The Perfect Choice For A Return To The Luton Town Managerial Hot-Seat?

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It is the first day of a new working week and we’re in the midst of strange times.

The EFL fixture programme has been suspended and we are none the wiser as to when it will, if ever, resume.

Furthermore, following the extraordinary announcement that came on Friday, the Hatters find themselves without a manager.

Following the decision to axe Graeme Jones and his backroom staff, suspicion has been rife that a familiar face, Nathan Jones, could be set to return to his old role.

Indeed, our latest poll indicates that the return of Nathan Jones is something the supporters would welcome with, currently, 48% of the votes cast being in favour, with 40% against and 12% sitting on the fence.

However, having monitored the ongoing vote, I should point out that the percentage of those wanting to see Nathan Jones return to the job is steadily dropping.

But, while our poll may be fluctuating, the bookmakers, who are rarely wrong, have Nathan Jones as their favourite to take the managerial helm again.

While we wait for any indication from the club as to what will happen next, perhaps we should ask ourselves whether Nathan Jones really is the man for the job?

Did his exit from the role scupper any real chance of such a return happening?

Has that most vital of traits, trust, gone?

Or, should we let bygones be bygones and welcome Nathan back with opening arms?

Perhaps my views are best expressed by a wonderful comment that appeared in our comment facility early this morning, a comment that reads:

“I am surprised that Nathan Jones is the odds-on favourite for the vacant managers’ position. Okay, he did a good job while he was at the Kenny but for all his badge pumping loyalty and so-called Christian values, he jumped ship as soon as the fat cheque book was waved. The fans still berate Tony Thorpe for similar traitorous values so how is Nathan Jones even being considered?”

And with that, the floor is all yours!

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14 comments

  • Alan says:

    Hi all, haven’t we all made wrong moves in our lives, i’m not sure if nj would be welcome, but he knows how the club works…also would any of us not take a new job if were offered a bigger salary. Thats football, many players have left us for more money, then returned…

    • Mad Hatter says:

      money overrides loyalty, a sad trait of the modern world!

    • Steve says:

      my view on the possibility of a Nathan Jones return is simple – is he the best man for the job a) to save us from relegation b) to take us forward again and challenge at the other end of the championship. C) does he even want the job as moment he takes a job his £40k a week from Stoke City will cease
      They should be the only 3 questions that need answers too.I understand the Judas and Traitor thing – but if he did come back would we have a manager intent on trying to make things right again with the supporters and a man who knows the team and players so no settling in period required…I’ll admit I was one who called him a Judas chest pumping lying fraud but I’d welcome him back with enthusiasm as cos of all the managers out there that are available and we could possibly afford he would be the best and my choice…

  • Chris winter says:

    Hi Alan an mh, I do agree with you. An I still think the idea of bringing back Alan sheehan could be a good thing. But it is high risk

  • Hundredup says:

    Most managers and most players these days – and I stress the ‘most’ – are essentially mercenaries and their temporary loyalty can be bought and sold if the price is right. Basically Nathan Jones is no better and no worse than many others in that regard. Unfortunately, however, he went over the top. If you say you would only leave Luton if Barcelona came knocking and you then open the door to Stoke City to try to get a quick Championship fix, nobody’s likely to believe a word you say thereafter. Should the Town welcome him back? Personally I think not. Will they? Your guess is as good as mine!

  • chris Morgan says:

    Hi all , if memory serves didn’t a Mr pleat do similar with spurs then returned for a second spell? you cant really blame anyone trying to better themselves, football has no loyalty’s only the fans, it hurt bad how and when NJ left but for most of this season I have missed the football we played under NJ I would have rather played that kind of football and ended up where we are now than some of the dire served under GJ, I support the board to make the right appointment if NJ was offered it that wouldn’t be a problem to me.

    • gloshatter says:

      Players and managers have to look after themselves – football can be a precarious life. As fans we naturally get upset when we feel our club is being let down, but we don’t have the same pressures to live with. Perhaps NJ should be given the chance to ‘put things right’. I’d have no problem with that if 2020 decided it was the way to go.

  • Sean Bangs says:

    Jones (Nathan) has burnt his bridges in my mind, the manner in his departure, the acceptance of his manager of the month award (in his Stoke kit) hurt, he did NOTHING in the championship on a big budget, how the hell would he do anything with a tiny budget!!

    My choice would be Stevie Robinson who has kept Motherwell in the SPL for several years. big league/small budget.

  • Alan says:

    Nj did ok on small budget here, didn’t spend 1.4mil on a rookie keeper….he would prob have looked at a much needed striker had he been here….as for robbo he could b a good bet, but i would hardly scots prem a big league…

  • Dave Jones says:

    I have mixed feelings about NJ. You could compile a list of pros and cons from the comments above. If he is given the job (a big if because I don’t know whether Gary Sweet and co. are willing to forgive and forget) – if he returns I wonder whether Steve Rutter could be persuaded to come back as assistant manager. He did a great job last season, albeit as a low profile assistant / coach, and left because GJ only offered him a more minor role.

  • Hundredup says:

    It seems Nathan Jones had two chances to return to management, both with League One clubs with good potential. He apparently turned down Bristol Rovers and he didn’t want to know about Blackpool, despite the fact that they seemed interested. Given that he wasn’t going to walk into another Championship job any time soon, if ever, why would he hold back? Was he hoping, given GJ’s problems, that sooner or later the Hatters’ door would re-open for him?

    • gloshatter says:

      That would be a very risky strategy if he really wanted to get back into management. Not likely to be a queue of clubs waiting to sign him up – certainly not at the level he might think he deserves to be at. Maybe, with his Stoke pay-off in the bank, he just thought he could take a chance and bide his time. I said above that if 2020 wanted him back I’d go along with that – but, like Steven H and many others, I still find that manager of the month image hard to take. It was a slap in the face for the Hatters and everyone who loves the club.

  • Steven H says:

    The picture of Jones in a Stoke shirt with his manager of the month award, he won at Luton, still makes my stomach turn. No way for NJ. Bring in Steve Rutter, a good coach and tactician. The engine behind NJ success.

  • Peter Neill says:

    Bring in Cloughie!

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