Portsmouth boss delivers verdict on maligned former Southampton manager ahead of Charlton Athletic clash

John Mousinho is adamant Nathan Jones is a manager Pompey have to ‘fully respect’ ahead of the trip to Charlton.

The Blues believes the much-maligned former Southampton boss’ record more than stands up to inspection, as the pair lock horns at The Valley tomorrow.

Mousinho’s side aim to take another step towards the Championship against the strugglers, who are showing signs of life since Jones succeeded Michael Appleton at the start of the month.

The Addicks are winless in 15 League One games, but picked up their second point on the spin in a 3-3 draw at high-flying Bolton last weekend.

The Welshman was ridiculed in his time up the M27, in a 14-game tenure which saw Southampton lose seven of his eight Premier League games across a three-month period as his rock-bottom side plummeted towards the Championship.

Jones’ bizarre comments included talking up his credentials as among the best in Europe and criticising his own club’s fans, with a fan holding up a giant P45 before his sacking as things turned ugly.

Mousinho feels the former Brighton man’s success with Luton, where he helped them rise up the leagues, is evidence of his capabilities.

He said: ‘If I look back at my experiences of Nathan Jones, I played against his Luton side - the one which completely stormed the league. They were the outstanding side that season and he had a really successful time there before getting the Stoke job. He then came back to Luton and again did really, really well.

‘You’ve ultimately got a manager who, at this level, has had a huge amount of success - and a huge amount of success at the level above.