CanadaSaint

If we'd taken half of our chances we'd have won easily, but yet again we didn't and we threw ourselves at the mercy of our own weak centre back pairing. Not one of these players was brought here by Pochettino, so I'm delighted to have survived. The real test of Pochettino will come in the Summer.

If Pochettino really had watched a lot of Saints tape before taking the job, why on earth has he decided to reunite the disastrous Fonte/Hooiveld partnership and spurn the very effective Puncheon/Clyne one? I don't get that.

Hate to say this, cos I'm the optimistic type, but it's starting to look like the Spurs game. Lots of missed chances and the danger of someone cutting in and ripping one home late in the game.

For me he's a quality player who doesn't fit Pochettino's style well enough to keep that much money tied up in him.

I hear what you're saying but it's not just an honour - it's a role, and a very important one. It has been quite some time since we had someone on the pitch who could pick the side up with some well-directed words, and there have been many occasions when that may well have cost us points. The list on this link shows that a "no nonsense" temperament, which Lallana doesn't really have (but which players like Ball and Case had in abundance), is quite a common feature: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_Premier_League

Hope? After watching Newcastle falling apart with a thin squad out of gas, my only hope is that we don't get anywhere near Europe next year.

When Pochettino first arrived and there was a lot of fur flying, Schneiderlin was the one who spoke most to the media trying to stabilize things, and he did a very good job of it. I thought he was sure to get the armband, but it's probably not a good idea to change mid-season, and it could have got MP off to a bad start in the dressing room. I wouldn't be too surprised if he's captain next season. He doesn't seem particularly vocal on the pitch but he does lead by consistent example.

Another backdoor positive from today was sh*tting massively in our own nest when it comes to "fair play". After watching Newcastle starting to pay the price for competing in Europe with a relatively small squad, we're probably on the road to dodging one bullet for next season.

LOL. When the shock goes off Claus looks like Jos defending against a fast break.

The Puncheon/Clyne pairing has always worked well but for some reason MP doesn't seem to value it. Perhaps we'll see more of it with Ramirez gone for three.

And, as I said earlier, that's the only positive of the game for me. Pochettino didn't sign any of these players, and not all of them fit his style or meet his standards. We are not going down and, after today, he has a much better idea of what we need to do in order to compete in the top third.

I'm not so dazzled by his undoubted skill that I fail to see how he undermines Pochettino's style rather than contributes to it. Next time you call someone an idiot for voicing an opinion, look in the mirror first.

I think those are the points. Ramirez is clearly very talented but he just doesn't fit Pochettino's style. He's more a focal-point player than the front prong of a high-energy midfield. He has got worse IMO because those around him have picked up MP's rquired style much better.

Lukaku is some player - he killed us up there and we never got a grip on him today. Can't see Chelsea leaving him out on loan next year.

Those would be my three. Coming from someone with your 'intellect' I'll take that as a compliment.

On the positive side of a very negative day, at least three players who shouldn't have a part in our future have made it even clearer that they shouldn't.

Pitiful, isn't it?

I hope this ref doesn't get stigmatized through three reds in his first game. I think he's done quite well - all the reds were warranted.

Clyne certainly hasn't been good but a lot of his challenges have come from trying to cover the screw-ups of others.

I think that's the last we'll see of Ramirez.

The good thing is that our best line up is dressed. The bad thing is that we need to use all three subs to get it on the pitch.

I think we look more effective with the Clyne/Puncheon duo on the right but MP doesn't seem to value it.

Couldn't agree more. And the loss of our defensive shape, covering for Shaw, seeps into midfield as well.

Maya's comfortable either side.

I can't for the life of me understand why MP picks Jos over Fonte.