SAINTS boss Mauricio Pochettino defended his decision to drop club record signing Gaston Ramirez for yesterday’s stalemate at Swansea.

The Uruguayan international playmaker was on the bench, despite having scored in the previous week’s 1-1 home draw with West Ham.

Instead, Pochettino recalled Jay Rodriguez to the starting line-up for the 0-0 draw in south Wales.

Pochettino said: "I did not see it as something strange.

“I have to pick a team from my squad. It is my decision who plays.

"Gaston had trained during the week and he was fit.

“He was prepared to play and he came on, but the decision is down to me.

"The final decisions on my team are always down to me."