We are in a dog fight -have been all season - and we may not survive. I have been proud of the way weve played for most games this season exept for Sunderland at home . But there is no point us playing attractive, even impressive football at times, but losing. But our performance at QPR and Newcastle last week leave me feeling less proud of the team . Weve been nieve all season in defending set pieces but now we have become slow and hapard about pulling back after one of our attacks has broken down.

Take a glance at our fixture list and tell me which games we are going to get three points from. I cannot see any and that is very worrying. Interesting to see what master plan the POX has to keep Saints up.

I have to say I am really worried the results since Pochettino came in have not been good enough and we are back in trouble. The fact is if we go on playing like this we will back in the Championsip next season. We dont have centre backs qith the speed to cover breaks and long balls over the top and it appears that Forren is injured, I have been really nervous of the chairmanºs tactics in transfer windows the criteria seems to be if you are not a youngster we dont want you and that may prove to be very costly at seasons end. We needed two top class centre backs above all else and we ddnt get them. I exclude Forren because seems to quite know what is going on with him why sign a player and then not use him. If it was the case that Pochettino had experience to call on where the Premiership was concerned but he desont the whole of the coaching staff has no experience of the Premier League. Its a disaster and we will be very lucky to survive this year, Im bitterly disappointed that Cortese appears to have shot the club in the foot when the last thing we needed was an inexperienced managerial set up.If he wanted to change manager surely thetime to do it was at the end of the season not now when we are fighting to stay alive. Ultimately it is the manner ofthe defeat that is a major concern, if the players lose confidence in themselves and the method of play which they might its difficult to see where the ten poins we need minimum are going to come from,.if we cant beat QPR at home then who can we beat?

We didn't play well yesterday and had no plan B when QPR piled in with the bullying tactics from the start. We can whinge that Boothroyd could have been sent off (if that tackle had been made with 20 minutes left, he would have been) and Clint Hill went unpunished for so much. But when push comes to shove, too many players got lost, or hid. Schneiderlin was great again and Rodriquez had the right idea to run at them. Lambert got stifled, Cork was okay. But I really felt that Puncheon had one of those days when he gets caught with the ball and can't make up his mind what to do and he slowed down our movement so often. Very frustrating but If we can play as we did against both Manchester clubs and the second half at Wigan, we should get a result at Norwich and let's hope Suarez gets injured in the next fortnight.

Missed the match due to personal circumstances so can't add too much but can anyone explain what sort of defending is going on here, who's doing it and should they play next week...

http://www.stevenlynch.co.uk/footy/GOAL.mov

Occasionally, a goal Saints might concede is an unstoppable wonder goal. But not these two. Re the first goal, for some reason, Fox decided to run away from the attacker and position himself on the line behind the keeper , instead of running to him to block the shot. He was surely near enough to him to do that.He was OK going forward, but once again failed in defence. Re the second, Yoshida didn't need to dive in as he did, but shepherd him to prevent the eventual cross.

Having two-thirds of the possession it seems, is no guarantee of winning. QPR defended very well, with Lambert having his most ineffective home game in memory. On the plus side, what a great engine Cork has, constantly breaking up their play.

In a way, this season is reflecting a similar pattern to last season. Last time, we were 1st or 2nd, but couldn't actually get clear. For the last few weeks, we have been ahead of the relegation places, but again can't get completely clear of the danger area.

Yep, completely predictable I'm afraid.

Nick warned against taking the anti-Redknapp chanting too far and, without in any way wanting to seem know-all, I mentioned our basic vulnerability to the swift long-ball counter attack (see the last para of my contribution to the article from the Espanyol supporter on Pochettino's background published on this site on 1st March) that ended in Remy making our disorganised defenders (who were caught square by an accurate ball over the top) look utterly inept.

Apart from the seriously mistaken transfer policy of the last 12mths (and arguably longer) and the enormous gamble of dismissing an established, well respected, capable and steadily improving manager at a crucial moment of the season, seemingly we continue to pursue tactical formations which take insufficient account of our playing strengths and weaknesses.

It is clear that the pressing game we have recently adopted pays a number of benefits and is impressive to watch; but it also means that our fragile defence is exposed to speedy opponents who can use a long ball effectively to embarrass our sometimes feeble, sometimes comic levels of defending. Pochettino's favoured style of play(and the article quoted above suggests that it may be his only policy) depends on the defensive line playing high which is almost exactly what our defence is least capable of doing because they recurrently lack any real pace ij the centre, poorly positioned and slow thinking.

The consequence is that we are in fact hoping to score more goals because of the pressure we put on the opposition to yield possession or because we flood forward to outnumber them in their half when we have possession. But the problem with this is that we are not scoring that many goals, Against QPR we had (according the the BBC Sport site) possession of 55% to 45% in our favour (though I thought that MoTD put it even higher). What's more we had 17 shots while they had 9 yet only 5 of ours were on target while 3 of theirs were on target, so QPR's accuracy was 33% against our own 29%. In other words we are not even taking advantage of our possession to out score the opposition...and this against arguably the poorest opposition in the league. Against Newcastle the picture was a little different in so far as we had significantly less possession (as the away team usually does) at 57:43% yet we managed the same number of shots (at 11) as Newcastle and indeed had 7 on target to their 5, yet they scored 4 (admittedly one was a debatable penalty (tho' I think the ref's decision was consistent with the current interpretation of the laws) which suggests perhaps that the chances they made for themselves were simply better than we made. I'm sure that if defensive balls-ups were counted we would be far ahead.

So we now have a manager whose tactics depend upon having a much more effective defence than we possess and a more ruthless attack for that matter, who has also a less successful track record over his X games in charge than his predecessor had over his last X games at a crucial stage of the season.

Perhaps the ridiculous levels of optimism expressed by some of the correspondents on this site will now be at least tempered by some measure of realism

PS. Those who have advocated Forren should be included as a starter without seeing him play a single minute of first team football should now be wondering whether this is yet another poor transfer deal to follow a string of other, clearly Pochettino doesn't see him as the answer at present!

couple of thoughts. Fox again, like the newcastle game showed he isnt a prem player. Second, neither does our Japanese friend, neither are good enough. Shaw is still too young however to play every game, and Forren is unknown so its a difficult one. If we stay up we need someone like Dawson ideally.

At least all our rele rivals lost as well. and here's hoping villa lose tomorrow night to keep it all even.

Awful defeat. Rodriguez needs to start for me, he is direct and strong and that is what we need. Ramirez a complete rip off, totally light weight and at times ineffective. Nice stuff but not winning games, that's how you end up getting relegated.

As usual I offer a slightly different explanation, not concentrating ot tactics, strategy and players. Imo it was the lack of concentration (was it really the Redknapp chants or the fact we were facing the bottom team doesn't really matter), clearly the hungryness to win wasn't at the expected level. As if we were looking for cheap mistakes from the R's midfield and defence and it didn't happen.
On a positive note - cheer up please: one week we're talking Europe, the next we sing We're going down. It's better to have this lapse of mental approach earlier rather than in the closing stages. I am sure survival will be decided on how we approach the next games. I have confidence in Schnider, Cork, Lalla as long as they want to show they have matured throughout the season. After all what were we expecting - QPR dig deep, defended and had their chances: it was always to be a more difficult game than Newcastle that at least allow you to play your game.
Looking forward, I must eat my words about Punch signing. I am surprised he was offered the deal and I think this is the point he will start to look more and more disinterested. I hope I'm proved wrong, but most worrying for me is the signal this signing gives to us: if the club is really ambitious, NC will have to bring someone faster and more consistent at this position. But as Nick continues reminding us, first we must make sure we stay up. I still believe it will be the case.

Before he arrived Mo Po was credited with playing attractive football, high tempo and pressing the opposition deep in their own half. This worked spectacularly against a Man City side who were having an off day. Pardew and Arry did their homework and came up with a plan to beat us using quick balls forward and counter attacks. Norwich will be ready for us too.

Now we will find out if Mo Po has any other ideas. Would Nigel have lost this one? I don't think so.

Amazed at Nick's casual response to this given that he billed it as a 'must win' game: "This season should still end in us keeping our Premier league place." Really? Norwich are no pushovers and the following week we will be hit by an in form Liverpool. There's every chance we'll lose both of those games. Then we hit the finishing straight with a record that reads W 1, D 2, L 5 under Mo Po and a team that has lost its confidence.

MoPo just isn't up to it. Replacing NA just as everything was coming together was a terrible decision. All the defensive errors that NA had got rid of have crept back and all of a sudden we seem to be back to square one. That's down to you Cortese.

I agree with a lot of the above. We look better with JayRod and Davis in the team. If that means no place for Lallana and Ramirez then so be it. Flair won't keep us in this league but being solid will. Pochettino needs to get his act together. One win from 6 just isn't good enough.

I always read this every week but have only just commented,

the first goal was a total sucker punch and even after saints equalised they never looked like winning

Cesar was injured (literally barely walking around) for about 15 minutes and still not tested

My last concern is when we were chasing the game bringing on JWP for the goal scorer??? I know NA did that sometimes so is this a choice from above the manager???

We havent exactly failed in January but we have yet to see the main signing

but as someone else said its the defense which is still a problem and the team for over committing sending the defense up too which makes counter attacking easy

Gaston scored a goal. His job was done.

Oh and when Adam was on he carved the defense open at times and he will be a massive blow IF he is out and he was MOTM for saints against newcastle (for me)

Him and Gaston dont seem to link up well but Adam is the key man still for me

saints MOTM for me was Morgan aka the interceptor and hard worker against QPR

Nick, nothing about defence??? Not even the fact hooiveld was not at the place? Not at the good places, not at the wrong places and still a big big loss for us........a strange positive view of you this time. Probably because hooiveld was not there?

Nice football but not really enough goal scoring threat.

It's almost not worth saying any more but Fox gives away a goal a game on average. Quite what he was doing for the opener is beyond me. Poor marking and then horrific decision making to run for goal rather than challenge the forward thereby allowing Remy to settle and have a free shot. Even in a kids match, I wouldn't expect to see defending like that.

Lingering concerns over MoPo's lack of English speaking and how that affects his ability to influence a game from the touch line / dressing room. I don't really know if this is a genuine issue but it just seems so strange that the manager can't communicate without anybody on the pitch except Gaston - and he's not playing too often anyway!

Saints should be pretty much home and dry by now - we have enough quality players outside of the defence - but, as always, we are going to do it the hard way. 10 cup finals left...

Foe me Saints didnt get into the game at all. Our pressing game was no where near as good as it has been. RL controlled by Samba never had a sniff. Jos not playing was a mystery to me as he was ideal to mark Boothroyd. Jay came on for llana and played well should start evey week. Jack Cork outstandinf easily our man of the match he was everywhere. Nick DANNY FOX was again useless. At newcastle he cost us the game no doubt. QPR he cost us at least the first goal. His defending is a joke. Simple chip wjhilr he lets the man go and runs into goal ???????????????????????????????????? How yoshida let that cross come over was another joke. Last rant jason punch new deal non exsistent.

The verdict?? dross, utter ineptitude to do the basics and i dont care what anyone says, not being up for a game at home against the team bottom of the league with survival at stake is pi55 poor. No excuse, they should have been beaten
managers selection was wrong in many ways, he needs to adapt to our game and not just be bringing over his spanish version to this league, its taken all of 5 games for him to be sussed out. so much else i could say but feel a little deflated. Fox NO Ramirez NO not for this run in we need competent and tireless workers.....

Some people have questioned why I havent taken this performance more to task, the reason is Im getting sick of saying the same things every week, at Wigan it was a similar performance, dominate the game and concede two sloppy goals, when i pointed it out back then i was called negative as everyone wanted to hail Pochettino as the new saviour and the man who will take us into the top six, now a home defeat to QPR has made reality bite home, personally I dont blame the manager, he hasnt been given the tools to do the job he has been brought in to do, the January transfer window may cost us dearly, a decent central defender can make all the difference, Samba for them was superb, our two are possibly the worst pairing in the division, I will say this though our left back was found wanting for both goals although I will say in the case of Fox, Boruc was coming flying out of his goal and Fox backed off to let him at the ball

Nick your correct when you say play the same players get the same results. I dont get that SHAW is on the bench when we have a clown at left back. It would make more sense to play CLYNE left back and RICHARDSON right back as we did a while back. FOX should have covered there player not run toward the ball and then run into the goal. Prevent the shot, stop the goal. YOSHEDA clear the ball stop the goal, simple defending. They did it all day, blocking , clearing, fouling what ever it took to deny us. We must learn to win ugly and grind out a nil nil if necessary.

Eh?? Boruc came flying out of his goal? he barely left his line until the split second before Remy shot. Watch it again.

http://www.footytube.com/video/southampton-queens-park-rangers-mar02-162523

Fox has to a) mark his man properly and b) track him and make a challenge. The way he let him run off his shoulder is identical to the third goal against Newcastle. A proper full back just doesn't let that happen.

and for the 2nd, blaming Shaw is a bit harsh. He won the tackle against Park though it was perhaps a touch naive to go after it before realising it was going to rebound another of their players who could then play Park in behind him. That is genuinely unfortunate. Alas... it shouldn't have been an issue as Yoshida (intelligently) read the play and covered round behind Shaw but then inexplicably decided not to send the ball into row Z but try something a bit more delicate and lost out to the ricochet. This could be seen as unlucky but, especially as a covering defender (ie you already know the defence is stretched), it's your responsibility to make sure the ball is cleared to safety.

if we keep making basic defensive errors, we will be relegated. We can't rely on scoring 3 or 4 goals a game to get some points.

Two games in a row we have been beaten by the killer ball. Our CB's are not quick enough or able to read the game well enough to cope with the style of football MP plays. Our forward/attacking players need to take some responsibility too, delivery from set pieces is rubbish and the ball in from the wings generally isn't much better. Two many sideways and backward passes from seemingly good positions for me means forwards arn't making the right runs and creating space by dragging defenders with them. Samba deserves credit he made RL completely ineffective which should have forced a change of player/tactics although the injuries may have made this difficult.

Pochettino out. Cortese out.

That's not an emotive response, it's based on cold hard logic. If Cortese sets the standards and Adkins performances didn't meet them, then presumably Pochettino is nowhere near. Given the bizarre nature of the managerial change, the usual stuff about "needing time to make his mark" don't apply: there was nothing to fix in the first place.

The most probable interpretation of the last six weeks is that Adkins' influence on the team has slowly faded. Saturday was what this bunch of players looks like without spirit, motivation and a sense of common purpose. When we won at Loftus Road, the team and manager - still learning at the higher level - were under enormous pressure and turned in a gutsy performance full of commitment, nerve and flair. At home, with everything seemingly in our favour we were abject throughout. The defence had improved enormously under Adkins; now we're back to square one.

Of course, nobody will lose their jobs at this stage: Cortese has backed the club into a completely avoidable corner from which it has no option than to close its eyes and hope for the best. It should go without saying that if you make a gamble as CEO and it doesn't come off, then you have to hold your hands up and resign. I'm struggling to see where the next point might come from. Cortese will have to pray that more will come from somewhere.

Agree a lot with what ExilledSupporter had to say today Pochettino badly needs to learn how to respond to the English game otherwise Nicola will be ruling his premature sacking of Nigel.

And on that subject if the Star article is right for heavens sake have the decency to pay him the settlement he deserves