Mauricio Pochettino insists it is “obvious” Saints will avoid relegation from the Premier League despite his frustration with referee Chris Foy as his side lost 4-2 at Newcastle.

Saints have a three point cushion above the bottom three ahead of a big fixture against Harry Redknapp’s QPR at St Mary’s on Saturday.

Pochettino is very confident his side will avoid the drop but was not happy with Foy.

The Saints boss wasn’t complaining about the penalty award for handball against Danny Fox but the second goal, claiming there was a foul and then an offside that was missed.

“It is obvious that we will stay in the Premiership,” he said.

“I have the same worry as all the teams that are in that part of the table but it’s neither more or less, it’s the same.

“I do have confidence in my team.

“We played a very good second half where we deserved to win the match but the small details made it that we left St James’ with empty hands.

“The handball is completely involuntary. 

“My complaint is their second goal with the foul and the offside that was not called.”