OH DEAR! After the euphoria of Cup success the harsh reality of Premiership life kicked in last week.

That after 492 miles and a 16-hour round trip to watch 90 minutes of rubbish.

That was Saturday's unanimous view from the fine people I travelled down with on the disabled supporters' minibus.

Stuck in queues outside Upton Park for two hours after the game, howls of derision unsurprisingly greeted the sight of the players' coach being ushered past the stationary traffic by a Police escort.

What on earth happened on Saturday? No-one minds losing a game when you've given your all.

The shocking thing was the lack of passion. Having dug ourselves needlessly into a hole over the last three months I expected us to be fighting for our lives.

The reality was we never won a 50-50 ball all afternoon and there seemed to be no visible signs of spirit or even communication between the players.

Graeme Souness has said that he will continue trying to play football the right way. Nothing wrong with that.

He's also said you have to win your personal battles and earn the right to play your football.

To say that didn't happen on Saturday is an understatement.

The Arsenal game was slightly different. My parting shot last week was that we could win if we didn't give them too much respect.

Exactly the reverse happened during the first 25 minutes.

We almost sank without trace as we stood off and allowed the stylish visitors all the room in the world.

When we finally decided we were going to stick a foot in, the game was turned on its head.

By the second half victory was there for the taking.

Even if we couldn't conjure up the winner, the last thing we could afford was to sacrifice a point due to a collective lack of professionalism.

Wednesday's game put into sharp perspective for me two main failings.

When successful between 1992 and 1995 we were exceptional at two things. Closing the opposition down and getting the ball forward quickly.

Back then if an opposition player had the ball he found two or three players flying in at him like a pack of dogs.

Now we just stand tamely off the enemy.

Once the ball is won, a succession of meaningless backwards and sideways passes invariably follow.

By the time the ball hits the danger area the opposition have had ample time to mass ten men behind the ball.

In our pomp, one swift pass to a breaking player saw another early ball into the forwards ensuring the opposing defence were constantly stretched.

Anyway with us knee deep in the brown sticky stuff there will inevitably be calls to open the cheque book again to strengthen certain areas of the team.

Personally I feel the left back position is a concern and my only other gripe would be the continual omission of both John Curtis and Damien Johnson from first team affairs.

Just what exactly has either done wrong and when have they ever let us down?

Far more important than either my personal preferences or splashing the cash though is the attitude and commitment of the players for the remainder of the campaign.

If we can work harder than every single team we play for every single minute of every remaining game, the talent is there to comfortably ensure a position of safety.

Given our current position is it too much to ask?