Saints now face a massive fight to avoid relegation.

Make no bones about it this was a terrible performance by Saints, but the one beacon of hope is that this was the last of the D & G selection of the side and Pearson's era at St Mary's gets under way properly this morning.

Being blunt as I have said D & G did not deserve the stick they were getting and didnt ask to be put in the position they were, but in all honesty yesterday, whatever sympathy we feel for them, they let us down with the side that they picked.

We all know what players have been letting us down on a regular basis week in week out, yet those self same players were present yesterday, I cannot see any other reason for Jermaine Wright to be selected in midfield after his last two performances other than as a thank you for his fill in job at left back.

Likewise what prompted them to select BWP, his recent displays havent justified it and he did nothing at Bristol Rovers.

Perhaps the biggest shock though was the selection of Captain, no wonder we are struggling, Darren Powell isnt a great role model and doesnt inspire confidence, after all here is a man thats just managed to play four games in a row without being injured, or would of if he ironiclly had to go off hurt early in the game.

Saints were a shambles from start to finish, however the gap between the two sides was small, if it hadnt been for the three minutes of madness that saw Argyle score two goals gifted to them by Saints, then the result would have been different.

That doesnt excuse Saints performance, but does give them hope that Nigel Pearson can now get together and work with the players and mould together a side that can pull clear.

Its a similar situation as to two years ago when George Burley's side slid down the table only to have a revival that pulled them well clear of the drop zone, we have to hope that this will happen again.

Hopefully this was the last game of a tired management team picking the same old tired set of players, hopefully youth will start to come through, McGoldrick has to be given the chance to play up front as centre forward, throw him in and give him six games to make an impression, at least we will know if he is good enough  or not.

Likewise Lallana, lets see him given a go rather than Jermaine Wright in midfield, w ehave nothing to lose, so lets get in some players who want to play for the club.

Last night saw the last game of the old era, Saturday sees the first of the new Nigel Pearson one, lets give him our support and then start the inquests for the season when we have pulled clear of relegation.     

Photo: Action Images

Macclesfield Town Polls