This was the weekend when Saints fans realised the wheels have come off the bus and something needs to happen and fast !

Exactly a month ago Saints travelled to Arsenal top of the current form table and knowing that victory by a two goal margin would take them to the top of the Premier League, six games later we have taken only 2 points from a possible 18 and are bottom of the current form list and if we continue on this slide we will soon be dropping out of the top ten in the league proper.

So where has it gone wrong ? in the last six games I could write a book on that, but on Sunday against Spurs for me it came down to a lack of leadership and direction both on and off the field.

Firstly the team selected was disjointed of course there were reasons for that in terms of injuries, but it wasn't just that, I have often been an advocate of giving Jay Rodriguez a run up front as the central striker and we did just that against Spurs, but the fact of the matter is that Rickie Lambert is either your central man or he shouldn't play, as a centre forward he is excellent, he has some great attributes, but he doesnt have what is needed to play as the wide man in an attacking front three, I dont have a gripe against Rickie here, he as always gave 100%, but he is a certain type of player and I wouldnt play him out of position anymore than i would have played Adam Lallana as a centre half.

But the problem was as it was in all of the last six games, a case of lapses of concentration at key moments, the first goal caught us napping, it would be easy to blame Gazzaniga for not coming for the cross, yes perhaps Boruc might have, but it was a difficult one for any keeper, Gazzaniga made a decision to stay on his line and put bluntly Hooiveld and to a lesser extent Fox should really have dealt with it.

The second goal for Spurs was just as bad, Hooiveld putting it in his own net, it wasnt the first time he has done this sort of thing, maybe im being harsh but if Hooiveld is in his own six yard box more often than not the ball ends up in our net, he just has a knack of getting in the way.

The third was more of a team effort though, several of our defenders switched off to let in Adebayor for his second and what would be the winner, basically we were a victim of our own substitution, whilst we brought on Ward Prowse Spurs struck decisively, it could be said Spurs throw in was a long way from goal so the danger didnt look imminent, but the golden rule with subs is you dont make them when the opposition has the ball.

Our answer to going behind again with still 26 minutes to play was somewhat baffling, off had gone Cork and Davis followed him soon after at a time when Spurs where threatening to run riot, Ramirez and JWP were more attacking options, but put bluntly our own substitution cost us the game, by the end of the game we had three central strikers on the pitch and a Spurs keeper who was flapping, yet we didnt put him under any pressure.

Mauricio Pochettino is now under the spotlight, a month ago he was telling people that he did things his way and that he got teams playing exactly how he wanted them to do with a high pressing game, the question back then was how long we could keep it up and we now have the answer, we should not be too surprised, in many respects the start of last season has mirrored the end of last after Pochettino took over, then we started badly under him, enjoyed a purple patch and then failed to win any of our last six games, we have repeated that again.

So the key to what happens next is Mauricio Pochettino, last season he had the summer to get things right, now he has three tough games ahead with little respite, the problems with the side are all about leadership and tactics, we look a side who know that we are fragile at the back, gone are the confidence, the discipline and the swagger we had a month ago, this is when you need a manager, you need someone to lead and show who is the boss and instill those attributes back in the side.

This is probably the worst run of results that we have had as a club since Nicola Cortese arrived, Alan Pardew and Nigel Adkins were sacked for far less, the next month or so is crucial, its times like this that make or break a manager in the Premier League and its times like this when a good Chairman will keep faith with a manager and see the bigger picture, we will find out the answers to these questions and more.

Saints arent playing badly in the last six games but they are fragile as i have said, as much as Saints were never good enough to be a top six side, they arent bad enough to be a bottom six side either, as the saying goes we need to keep calm and carry on, but make no bones about it the leadership needs to come from the front, when a team goes from the position we were in prior to the Arsenal game to getting only 2 points from six games, there is something wrong that is for sure.

Photo: Action Images

JDawg added 11:21 - Dec 23 Dear Santa, For Christmas, please can you bring Southampton FC a commanding Premier League Centre Back. Thank you All the Saints fans
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Boris1977 added 11:22 - Dec 23 That bloody hurt. Good report Nick and glad you didn't just single out the certain individuals too much - as the cliché goes you win as a team and lose as a team, Saints yesterday just did not impose themselves on a spurs team that were there for the taking. The most frustrating thing yesterday was that Saints were second to everything. I don't think there is a lack of desire, the effort cannot be faulted, even Ramirez did ok when he came on. Confidence is the issue and as you say this is where the manager comes in. He has to inspire confidence and pick up a despondent team. A note about our support. Elements of the crowd need to get off the backs of certain individuals.as it is counter productive. and when we went 3-2 our support fell silent for the rest of the game which is disappointing, despite Lovren's attempt to gee up the crowd. It's going to be a tough month or so but as a wise gentleman once said - together as one.

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LondonSaint added 11:30 - Dec 23 All valid points with respect to this match, but I think a little sensationalised in the context of our injuries - I don't think the wheels have not come off the bus. We're missing five first team players including three from our back four... that we are conceding more goals is no surprise. We're a mid-table team with European aspirations. Like all other teams in our position we have a decent first XI with one or two star players on which we are over-reliant. If you were to take five of the starting XI out of any of our close rivals (see: Newcastle, Swansea, Villa, Norwich, West Ham etc.) they would struggle - particularly against Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Spurs. Only the best teams have the squad to handle those kinds of injuries. I would also take a punt that MP's position is safe. I think the difference between Pochettino's position compared to Adkins' and Pardew's is that in MP Cortese sees someone who is natural and comfortable at this level of football, which was (rightly or wrongly) something he didn't feel with AP and NA. As always thanks for your articles and work on the site, keeps me going with my Saints fix throughout the week!

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SaintNick added 11:39 - Dec 23 I was trying to keep away from sensationalism but it was difficult, at the moment its just a crisis, two points from six games is poor but all teams have a bad run, however as a not of caution our last ten games in total have only produced 10 points, so in the longer term things havent been great and we dont have injuries to be able to blame for that. Next three games are crucial its hard to see us getting three points in total from them

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LondonSaint added 11:56 - Dec 23 Nick that's very true - I got carried away at the start of the season and thought we'd come through these run of fixtures better than we have, even considering the injuries we've had. I think you've been right about our optimistic and achievable targets for the season. At some point if we're to make the step up then the time will come when losing 3-2 at home, even if we have a long list of injuries, will be a poor result - that's the expectation that comes with being a bigger club. On a side note in terms of squad depth I thought it was interesting to compare the Saints vs Spurs squads yesterday. How many Saints players would Spurs fans want to take from us? Lallana, Lovren? How many would we take from them?!

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stmichael added 12:21 - Dec 23 Put simply fox hoovield and gazza in the same back 5 is a disaster and so it proved. I don't think it is possible to win any premiership game home or away with that personnel. Ricky looks mentally done in by the constant threat and discussion about his place. Frankly jrod is making his name and reputation as an attacking wide front man and we did not need to change that. Ricky's so called replacement is totally un reliable . Where was he yesterday?? But that defence!!!!!!

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thegeneral added 12:23 - Dec 23 There are several issues raised with this game that are really more of a reality check. A high flying start and a sustained stint at the top half of the table has encouraged european ambition which although good does have a flip side of disappointment that we aren't really ready or good enough. Boruc is a massive loss not just in ability but command of the defence. We have depth and bench options from midfield but defensively we are lacking class. Our opposition have seen enough of the MP team to suss us out and counter, and our plan B doesn't really seem to exist. We've also had a tough run of games compared to a relatively kind fixture list up until now. But how bad is it really? second season back in the prem and doing well, would 11th or 12th really be that bad? i think we can finish 8th which would be a massive over achievement and way ahead of the game plan, there isn't a lot to fix and our team is young with players that will get better and we have 3 or 4 more academy players knocking on the door. Of course its disappointing to lose and draw games that we feel are winnable, it takes time, look how many managers are losing their jobs or are under threat when they really aren't doing too bad a job. Look at the M.City game we drew with a team that had the best part of 200 million quids worth of players on the pitch, all but one foreign i think and i believe we had 7 or 8 English lads at the final whistle.

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dirk_doone added 12:48 - Dec 23 "For Christmas, please can you bring Southampton FC a commanding Premier League Centre Back." Hopefully, Fonte will be back by then but, you are absolutely right, we do need cover for when he is injured.
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SaintJez added 13:22 - Dec 23 When we saw Hooiveld and Fox playing together in the same side, did anyone expect any other result? They say the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different outcome and I sense the men in white coats might be coming for our management some time soon... What has Fonte done wrong this season to be dropped? I thought he and Lovren were forming a good partnership.

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1teeminants added 13:38 - Dec 23 Nick Our squad hasn't got strength in depth that's all there is to it. if our strongest 11 had started we would have buried them. Very strange decisions leaving out Fonte and Ward Prowse, if he is trying to be clever by rotating the squad anyone with half a brain can tell you that some of the players he brings in are not premiership standard. As has been said before by some I think its time to bring in Matt Targett at left back as reserve for shaw. As I said last season get Shaw in for Fox and it worked immediately despite reservations by many about his inexperience .If you are good enough you are old enough. We must buy a central defender and goalkeeper in January. We don't have to break the bank. I along with many others near me was very angry when I saw the starting line up yesterday.

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saintjeff52 added 15:06 - Dec 23 What's up with ' Sicknote ' ? Another illness !!! He's 18yrs old FFS, just dose him up with le sip or whatever and get him playing. Fox just isn't up to it. Fonte on the bench, so he's fit right, otherwise no point in having him there. Loren and Fonte formed a solid partnership, the root of our earlier success. Our reserve GKs aren't up to the task, so get another one in. When is Artyr back ? Fonte should have played instead of Jos. Mauricio isn't all he's cracked up to be. Yes we have injuries, BUT pick your best team always !!! Yoshida would have been a better left back than Fox. As soon as I saw the line up yesterday I knew we'd lose. That game, and the game against Villa were games we should have won. Nick is optimistic thinking we might get 3 points from our next 3 games. We won't. We will lose all three, making it 2 points from 27 - Relegation form. Mauricio needs to step up and play the best team with players in their best positions. Whatever he does, don't play Jos and/or Fox EVER

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montecristo added 15:28 - Dec 23 Saints may have been punching aboVe their weight but I honestly believe that if they pick up three really good players in January we will pick up. If not we could really struggle. We need a central defender with pace and good vision aand who is calm when under pressure. Hooveld is simply not quick nor calm under pressure and thats why he ends up in a mess and scoring own goals. We also need a class goalkeeper. Butland might be the answer, why didnt we get him when he was available? A replacement for Fox is also needed either by promoting from within the academy, or we will have to buy one. I also strongly feel that Ramirez has been mismanaged, that has to stop. If manager and player have had a spat, then Cortese must jump in the breach and sort it out. I do not believe he cant adapt I thinks its mor of a personality thing. It has to be sorted. For one thing Cortese had a devil of a job getting him in the first place, and 12 million is a lot of money to be sitting on the bench. The only reason hes not accomodated is because he doesnt track back or do defensive duties much but thats not what he was bought for. He is an attacking ffs...

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Bulgarian added 15:57 - Dec 23 Agree with a lot of the points made above. As much as it is a must to back the team and not to single out individual errors, I think this was the game that Jos and Fox let the whole team down. It's not the Spurs game only - it's a pattern that was reproduced and brought us back to mediocrity. Besides, Jos maybe has the highest own goal per game ratio from Saints players in the last 20 years: a stat that should be checked. In order to stop the morale rot the Club needs to sell Jos and Fox immediately with sincere thanks for all their contribution, which shouldn't be neglected after all. Irrespectful of Matt Target's readiness to play senior games, when Clyne or Shaw are unavailable, we can always employ Chambers. That's not to mention Cork at RB - they will do a more professional job than a risky tinkering in the transfer window. For this game for once I feel MP has made two crucial mistakes, maybe due to personal issues: at the beginning of 2nd half it was clear that Steve Davies was losing tempo and concentration. This is why he should have been replaced and not Cork. The other change - it was clear that it wasn't JRod's day - he should have come off for Ramirez. Gaston should be used when JRod or Lalla come off - he has something to offer and we are not using this. Instead of this MP chose to change tactics and positions and was looking desperate but humiliated. Seriously, let's not talk about crisis and relegation form - we should bring back some of our confidence until the end of January. The nasty thing is that we had a realistic chance of attacking the top 8, and now we are back to the mediocrity package, hoping that next year we will be wiser.

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SaintJez added 16:06 - Dec 23 Why do people still consider Ramirez to be "good enough"? All I ever see is him give the ball away and the current trend of him usurping JWP on important dead ball situations at the end of games is simply maddening. JWP has terrific quality. Ramirez, sadly, does not..
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densham41 added 17:32 - Dec 23 Some questions ; Why was Font not playing ? If he is fit enough to be on the bench, he should be fit enough to start. Where was Osvsldo ? Where was fox's cover ? Ok I'm not defending him, but he had no support out on the left. Why was ward-profuse not starting on the right to link up with Chambers, some of our best football has come from Clyne and WP linking up. Why have three holding midfielders in the same side ? Those being Davies, Cork and Morgan. This was a disappointing performance. Now the manager has to prove he is as good as we all think and pull out at least one win in the next three matches. My big worry is if this season falls away we will see the likes of Shaw, AL , Clyne leave. If seen to many great players leave Southampton over the years. Please lets not see it happen again. We need a top 8 finish, to tell those players we are building something great. Stay on board and enjoy the ride.

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131153 added 17:55 - Dec 23 Nick- Firstly the wheels have not come off. Clearly the team selection was dictated by the injuries. If you take a hard look at the last 4 fixtures the two draws are reasonable returns bearing in mind the opposition. The Villa and Spurs games could both have been won without the individual errors. I missed the first 10 minutes of the Villa game due to travel problems,by them I understand we had already hit the bar and post. Having said that it is very dissapointing to lose a game when you have had 77% possession. The Spurs game was particularly galling to lose, we scored two very good goals and concede three with poor defending. I feel if J Rod had scored the result would have been different. Where do we go from here, I do feel the keepers low confidence is causing the back four weakened by injuries a major problem. I know some feel the loss Wanyama is to blame, but I don't feel the side is greatly weakened by Jack Cork if at all. The team should be able to get a result (draw or win) at Cardiff which should steady the ship and allow us to head to Everton in good heart. When all said and done we probably over achieved earlier in the season and under achieved recently. Lets hope for a good run in the next few games.

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LostBoys added 18:42 - Dec 23 All I want for Xmas is a centre back (and a goal keeper ad Targett as a substitute for Shaw) Not much Santa
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abingdonsaint added 19:10 - Dec 23 Stay calm guys! I happen to think that Poch has done a tremendous job so far, and whilst everyone is entitled to their opinion regarding tactics, selection and whatever, this guy has star quality, and is central to our strategy going forward. I am pretty confident that Cortese thinks that too, and whilst the current run of results are a disappointment, comparisons with NC and AP are irrelevant. It's not about short term results, it's do you think this is the man to take us forward! Whatever you say about yesterday, and whilst I would never have a go at our players during a match, our defensive stability at the start of the season was based around Boric, Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw and Wanyama. Only one of those played, so not sure what else you expect Poch to do? Hate to pick individuals, but Gazza at the moment is just not up to it, and his lack of confidence and command of the penalty area is causing uncertainty throughout the defence. There is no crisis, but we need to ride this out until we get some players back, or are able to move in the transfer market. Patience......we shall prevail (and Merry Christmas to all!!)

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abingdonsaint added 19:17 - Dec 23 Meant NA not NC of course!
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Sango123 added 03:19 - Dec 24 I agreed. It is good to expose our failures while we are still in the top 10 and with the Jan transfer window approaching, we can rectify some of our failings with some transfers. For all those who say that injuries forced us to play Gazza, Fox and Hooiveld, I disagree. MoPo is the one who believes they are good enough for the Premier League and he is the one who selects them. Gazza might be young with potential but we have all seen Fox and Hooiveld's performance last season. If the manager continues to believe in them, it is his fault.

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rjh added 09:15 - Dec 24 We have a very good first eleven when all are fit. Below that we have a championship side. Hooiveld is a complete liability.
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