My 'next day' thoughts.

I said in the match thread that this would be a narrow defeat for us with a creditable performance and that was pretty much how it went down - albeit I didn't anticipate 2 goal conceding errors and a pretty dismal second half performance.

I'm afraid that I agree with HCZ that this isn't the time for remembering that we have had a great season so far and weren't expecting to be in a title race.

My prediction of the match was based on our pre-existing form, just as my optimism of 3 weeks ago was based on the evidence of consistently winning games.

But for me we are now firmly into a situation similar to that where we blew up at the end of last season.

- A first 11 that has been overplayed and looks mentally and physically exhausted.

- A system that does not mix things up to put other teams out of their stride - and is adversely affected by any drop off in players' performance.

- Back ups that are thrown into the mix not having been seasoned by playing time.

- Injuries to key players (where the F*CK) is ESL BTW??

- A young team bucking under pressure.

I'm afraid that I don't see where the return to our previous indomitable form is coming from. I think that we will stutter for the rest of the season. While I think we will make top 4, I would not be at all surprised to finish behind both Manchester teams. This is not blind pessimism, it is seeing the signs. The disappointment is that (while winning the league was always a streach) I really thought we had moved on from the above key weaknesses.

Thoughts?