Trailing 11-5 heading into the remaining day’s singles, Europe registered just three individual wins – with professional trio Poulter, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood all scoring their initially details of the 7 days.
The margin of the outcome inevitably led to thoughts remaining questioned of Harrington but there have been a selection of variables which contributed to the reduction, not the very least the reality the USA’s crew contained nine of the world’s top rated 11 players.
Europe’s players, particularly their senior kinds, were being far from their finest but Poulter explained that was not the captain’s fault.
“The toughest bit about all of this is this is likely to be tricky since Paddy will be questioned and that is not truthful,” Poulter instructed Sky Sporting activities.
“He has done a fantastic job but we have been outplayed. Paddy (Harrington) has performed an remarkable occupation. Paddy and (his spouse) Caroline have given us a staff atmosphere and incredible bonding staff home.
“That space and team of players we experienced this 7 days are exclusive men. It is not fair when you glimpse at the rating.”
Poulter was tearful just after his a few and two earn about Tony Finau, with the realisation dawning on the 45-12 months-aged it could be his last appearance.
The Englishman was participating in his seventh Ryder Cup courtesy of a captain’s decide and extended his unbeaten singles history to 6 wins and a 50 %.
“You put a issue on the board and that is all quite wonderful but it does not mean anything,” he added.
“OK, I’m unbeaten in singles – it’s great personally but this is a group 7 days and it is deflating.
“As a senior participant in the crew you do not truly believe there is numerous far more remaining. I wanted to come here this 7 days and give every thing and in the initial two days I did not take care of to do anything at all.
“Today was to give something back again but you just do not know if you get the opportunity to go once more.
“We have a good youthful staff. We have a staff of great youthful gamers who will choose this ahead for numerous a long time.”
Poulter was a single of the important figures in the Wonder at Medinah in 2012 when Europe recovered from 10-6 down to earn on the final working day.
So he realized better than most the process which faced them at Whistling Straits was pushing the realms of likelihood against arguably the strongest workforce the United States experienced fielded.
“Congrats to Group United states of america. When you appear at the details, they have outplayed us this 7 days,” he added.
“They owned every single of those sessions on Friday and Saturday and that is not usually been the situation.
“When we are remaining with a mountain to climb it is going to be tricky and you always want to truly feel you have a opportunity and we needed to appear out unbelievably solid but they produced it hard.
“They played much better than us this 7 days. All credit history to the US group. It was under no circumstances meant to be straightforward.”