A remarkable 17 goals were conceded in 12 games this season under the Argentine before his dismissal.
Jose Mourinho was the man chosen to replace Pochettino – a man with a reputation for formidable back lines.
But the ball continues to find the back of the net against Spurs, which will be a worry against a resurgent Watford on Saturday – a match you can listen to LIVE on talkSPORT.
Even in the FA Cup third-round replay against Middlesbrough, a tame shot from George Saville beat Paulo Gazzaniga, leaving Mourinho’s side with just one clean sheet since he took over.
The 5-0 thrashing of Burnley promised plenty but was just a false dawn as the Portuguese works out the kinks in his squad.
Still, when it comes to the very basic statistics, Mourinho does have a better record than Pochettino right now – just.
It has been claimed the Scottish Football Association will announce the ban for under-12s players later this month following the release of a report which discovered former professional footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die of a degenerative brain disease than non-footballers.
A similar ban has been in place since 2015 in the United States but the SFA would become the first European country to impose such a restriction.
It is a decision which would be welcomed by talkSPORT duo Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist.
McCoist said: “It’s clearly a subject that’s very very important in terms of illness caused by heading the ball.
“Surveys have proved that there’s an element of that and if we look at some of the great players we’ve lost so you have to say there’s definitely something in it.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish FA said: “Since the publication of Football’s Influence on Lifelong Health and Dementia Risk [FIELD] study by Glasgow University into the link between football and dementia towards the end of last year, the Scottish FA has worked closely with the authors of the research – which includes the men’s national team doctor and medical advisor, Dr John MacLean – and wider football stakeholders to look at practical steps the national sport in this country can take to minimise risk in the area of head trauma.
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Fulham vs Middlesbrough (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
Watford vs Tottenham (Saturday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT
Arsenal vs Sheffield United (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
Newcastle vs Chelsea (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
“Given the study was undertaken using medical records from Scottish footballers, there is an additional onus on the national governing body in this country to take a responsible yet proportionate approach to the findings.
“The presidential team of Rod Petrie and Mike Mulraney, along with chief executive Ian Maxwell, were keen that all possible options were open to discussion but that any final recommendations would be taken with the guidance of the medical experts.
“To that end, productive discussions have taken place within the auspices of the Scottish FA’s Professional and Non-Professional Game Boards, as well as main board, on proactive, preventative measures with particular focus on younger age groups.
“It is our intention to finalise those proposals with the relevant stakeholders in early course and further details will be announced thereafter.”
Brain injury association Headway has called for further research to be undertaken.
Chief executive of Headway Peter McCabe said in a statement: “In light of the recent study undertaken by the University of Glasgow which suggested that professional football players have a higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases than the general public, there does seem to be merits in considering such a move.
The Northern Ireland forward, 32, signed a deal until the end of the season with the League One promotion hopefuls on Friday.
And he was officially unveiled on Monday, giving his first interview to the club website.
Sunderland originally tweeted: “He’s seven foot and he plays the flute.”
The lyrics came from a song that was chanted during Lafferty’s time at Rangers and references loyalist flute bands in Northern Ireland.
Sunderland hastily deleted the post, and a club spokesman insisted no offence was intended, saying: “It was written in all innocence by someone unaware of how it could be interpreted.”
Lafferty, who had two spells at Rangers, will be available for selection for Sunderland’s trip to MK Dons on Saturday.
The Black Cats are on a six-game unbeaten run and occupy the final play-off spot.
Lafferty told Sunderland’s official club website: “I am excited to sign for Sunderland because it is probably the biggest club I have played for in England.
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Manchester United vs Wolves (Wednesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
Fulham vs Middlesbrough (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
Watford vs Tottenham (Saturday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT
Arsenal vs Burnley (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
Newcastle vs Chelsea (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
This is the view of Pogba’s brother, Mathias, who assured Los Blancos fans that the 26-year-old is still set on a move to the Bernabeu.
Valverde captured the hearts of Real Madrid supporters with a last ditch foul on Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata in the Spanish Supercopa final.
The Uruguayan was sent off for this but kept his side in the game, which Real ended up winning.
It was suggested that Zinedine Zidane would pull out of an expensive £150million deal to sign Pogba when they already have Valverde, who cost just £5m, at their disposal.
However, Mathias believes this will not affect his brother’s ability to join Real Madrid.
When questioned if the 21-year-old’s rise to stardom could hurt Pogba’s chance of signing, Mathias told Spanish TV channel El Chiringuito: “No, he can help him, but he can’t compete with him. I don’t think so. Can the two play together? Yes.”
Valverde said he is not too worried about the potential arrival of Pogba and claims he would welcome the World Cup winner.
The only manager to pick up three points in that time has been Maurizio Sarri and that was only thanks to a late own goal.
St James’ Park seems to be a bogey ground for Chelsea for unknown reasons.
However, the Blues will fancy their chances against Newcastle on Saturday only Liverpool (28) have gained more points away from home than Frank Lampard’s side (22) this season.
Below, talkSPORT.com looks back on Chelsea’s last six visits to Tyneside.
Following their 3-0 away win at relegation rivals Bournemouth last time out, Watford climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time this season, having picked up four wins in their last five league games.
Spurs, currently sitting eighth in the league, have hit a poor patch of form and are without a win in their last three games, including a 1-0 home loss to runaway leaders Liverpool in their last outing.
Watford will want to keep the resurgence under Pearson alive whereas Mourinho’s men will want to close the gap on the top four which currently sits at a nine points.
talkSPORT’s GameDay will bring you all the action from this huge game and here’s how you can tune in to it all.
The Championship club face a possible points deduction because, following a review of their profitability and sustainability submissions, league chiefs ruled that the Rams were in breach of regulations for the three-year period ending June 30, 2018.
“The club will now be referred to an independent disciplinary commission, which will hear representations from both the EFL and Derby County,” said an EFL statement.
“As these matters are now subject to proceedings, the EFL will be making no further comment at this time.”
Spending regulations allow Championship clubs to lose £39million over a three-year period.
Derby reported combined pre-tax losses of just over £8m for the period in question, having posted a profit of £14.6m in their latest accounts.
Man City’s four Premier League title triumphs have come largely thanks to billionaire Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan takeover in 2008.
The Citizens were able to attract Europe’s biggest stars such as David Silva, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero – who all became Etihad legends – to help them win silverware.
UEFA have revealed the top 20 wage bills from European clubs during 2018, with Barcelona exceeding the £450million mark, while Manchester United boast the highest paid salaries in the Premier League.
Lundi 18 avril Suri Cruise fêtait son dixième anniversaire. Une fois encore, elle a dû se passer de la présence de son père, Tom Cruise, de plus en plus loin du rôle de sa vie.
Dix ans. Suri Cruise a eu dix ans lundi. Elle a fêté l’évènement avec quelques heures d’avance dimanche, dans un restaurant new-yorkais, entourée de sa mère, ses grands-parents et deux amies. Comme il en a pris l’habitude, Tom Cruise lui, était aux abonnés absents. Selon le magazine People, l’excuse, celle d’un emploi du temps rempli par un tournage, était la même que celle utilisée depuis des mois, presque 27. Plus de deux ans, qu’il n’a pas vu sa fille.
Depuis qu’il a divorcé de Katie Holmes en 2012, Tom Cruise s’est montré de moins en moins présent dans la vie de sa fille. On a d’abord pensé que Katie Holmes en mère louve se montrait trop hargneuse envers lui pour protéger Suri des influences débordantes de la scientologie, mais à y regarder de plus près, la distance installée entre père et fille est bien le fait du comédien.
Déjà avec ses deux aînés, Isabella, 24 ans et Connor, 21 ans, adoptés avec Nicole Kidman, il ne brillait pas dans son rôle de papa. Pour dire à quel point entre eux les relations sont distendues, Bella s’est passée de son père lors son mariage en fin d’année dernière. En janvier, quelques clichés ont été pris quand Connor, pas rancunier, a rendu visite à Tom sur un tournage. Si les yeux du jeune homme sont pleins d’amour et d’admiration, le regard qu’il reçoit en retour est à peine plus chaleureux que celui que l’acteur aurait adressé à un fan. D’ailleurs, point d’effusion entre eux, une simple poignée de mains, plus indifférente que pudique.
Pourtant, le cliché nostalgique qu’a partagé Bella sur son compte Facebook il y a quelques mois, la montre toute petite avec son petit frère, gazouillant dans les bras de Tom Cruise. Il était alors un papa tendre, doux, aimant, impliqué. Le même que celui qui il y a quelques années encore, laissait Suri se réfugier dans le creux de son cou. Qu’est-il arrivé d’autre qu’une séparation d’avec les mamans? Certes, on sait bien le poids qu’a eu la scientologie dans la gestion des ruptures amoureuses de l’acteur, mais c’est à un total désengagement des sentiments que l’on assiste à chaque fois. Les enfants de l’acteur n’ont-ils été que le simple prolongement de l’amour qui l’unissait à Nicole Kidman puis à Katie Holmes, ce qui expliquerait son manque d’intérêt pour eux une fois le divorce prononcé? A moins qu’il ne s’agisse d’un manque de confiance en lui si puissant qu’il ne se sent pas capable d’assumer sa paternité sans une maman à côté?