Bleak

Damn it!! It's only October and the title chase is as good as over. 4 losses in the league so far. 3 losses on the trot. Fiorentina, Chelsit and now Sunderland. It's unthinkable how a team tipped to go far stumbled so early.

What went wrong?
Many actually. Florence set the mood really. Outclassed by Mutu and Co, the hangover was prolonged by Chelsea. Injuries deprived the team of SG and FT, the only class act in the team against Sunderland, and true enough it was an accident to happen. It did happen via beachball apparent thrown unto the pitch by one of our own.

Rafa to be blamed for the fiasco? Maybe, but it was the players who failed him and us.
I've never liked Lucas. Save for a few occasions where he did well, generally he failed to inspire us, never mind the team. Paired with another greenhorn, Spearing the other day, the midfield was non existent. That was expected. Lucky, Bent is Bent, if not we could've been 4 at the wrong end.

Lack of depth really. Babel flashes his brilliance once in a blue moon, Benayoun excels when played together with class act, Kuyt shines when others shine, Voronin is at home in Bundesliga not EPL.

Dunno when this calamity will stop. Lyon is 2 days away. Man U at the weekend.
Lose these 2 games and Rafa's detractors will call for his head.

Hopefully, SG and FT will regain their fitness in time for Lyon.
The rest cannot be counted to mount a strong challenge. Yes, it's bleak in October and I don't want to sing 'November Rain' just yet.