Only ourselves to blame.

Morning all

The full blooded performance we were after didn't happen last night. Instead we were very much uninspired.

Yes, the referee was shocking. But please don't use that as the main reason we lost. We were bloody awful. I can't explain the past two games. We look as though we've had major changes, a team still reeling from a critical departure. As you well know, that isn't the case.

The critics are right. We lack leadership. We need someone to take the games by the scruff of the neck. When the chips are down, that one person to stand up and be counted. For all his ability, I don't believe Fabregas has that in him. Not just yet anyway.

What annoyed me was that the Tottenham game was still very much etched in the brains of the players last night. We didn't start well at all, and never recovered. Great teams are defined by recovering from such a defeat by winning the next game, and well... you know what happened last night. I really do not want to go into detail.

Backroom staff is really a problem. I'm not calling for Wenger to be sacked. Just a reshuffle. The faith I had in Wenger in his ability to change games has now gone. I believe it took 70 minutes for him to make his first change. When we're playing so poorly up until then, it's just not on. Like many of you, I also believe a candidate such as Steve Bould should be promoted. I've nothing against Pat Rice, but we need to change things. We have the players to do well, we just need to tweak a few things.

The game on Saturday is now vital. If we lose, who knows what sort of bother that might open up? We need to get back on winning ways. Sharp. If we're to win the league, winning at places such as Villa Park is a given.

I hate being negative, but right now it's hard not to be. I could slate players like Eboue and Bendtner, but for now I'm gonna give them the benefit of the doubt. What I will say is this season is absolutely huge for so many of these players. Some players are in last chance saloon, it's now or never.

For now, I have the faith in this time. Maybe results this week will eventually stand them in good stead. Here's bloody hoping!

Thanks for reading. What do you think needs to happen to get us out of this slump? Would love to hear your thoughts.