Title dream will die unless unity is restored

I BUMPED into my colleague on this page, Steven Kelly, in the pub before the game on Saturday.

When I told him that I had a bad feeling about the match he roared with laughter; it seems he’s the only one that hasn’t noticed how badly we have been playing. Any feint hopes I did have of getting something from the game, were dashed seconds from the ground when I heard that our one available central defender had fallen foul to a bug.

Like Ricardo Carvalho I had a very sick feeling indeed. Even the sight of Cech in goal did little to lift my spirits. And then we were 2-0 down in less than 20 minutes and looking down the barrel of a highly possible thrashing. That opening period was the worst we have played in 100 games under Mourinho, with only one exception — Betis away.

Only three players could say that they played to their potential, Cech, Essien and Drogba. The lack of urgency shown by the rest was inexcusable, no matter what formation was being played, nor who was being played out of position.

What was interesting was the crowd reaction to Ballack and Shevchenko. On Saturday I saw a definitive shift, with supporters finally losing patience with Ballack and turning against him. There was no booing; but the kind of stuff you only hear when you are within a football crowd was very evident from all sides. The German looked a lost soul as if he could not understand what had gone wrong. A phrase that was last season used about Drogba came to mind — a dog chasing a balloon. Not that Lampard was any better, but it will be some time before his goodwill runs out.

Travelling supporters seem to still believe that Shevchenko is the man to change our fortunes. I’m not sure if it is blind optimism or sheer desperation. I am a firm believer in the “you don’t become a bad player overnight” theory, but I do not feel he is the man to stop the malaise in the team, not this season anyway.

As for next season, it’s a brave man to predict who will still be with us. There certainly seemed to be no depth of feeling between José and Shevchenko at the end of the game. They could not even manage eye contact — never mind a handshake.

Most supporters now believe that the Ukrainian was bought above Mourinho’s head, but that is not the player’s fault. Also, if you are having a nightmare with injuries, surely every player is worth his weight in gold? Whenever Shevchenko does make it onto the pitch, he tries his damndest — at least that’s what it looks like to me; and I know he isn’t scoring many goals but his presence does make a difference. How many goals has Rooney scored this season anyway? So why the cold shoulder? Something is rotten in the club and I don’t think there are any obvious immediate solutions.

Not even seeing United beaten in time added on could lift my mood hangover from the Liverpool game. Although I have to admit to a snigger at how quickly the “we’ve got our trophy back” chant faded in the away section when first the odious Van Persie and then Henry (the only man that could give José a run for his money in terms of arrogance) netted to swipe all three points and retain the six point gap.

I was going to use the phrase “as we were” but it’s not appropriate. Chelsea are losing confidence with every game they play. Terry’s absence could not have come at a worse time.

Part of me marvels that we are still in second spot and within touching distance of United; it’s easy to forget that fact when we are subjected to the dross we have been watching for some time now — with the odd highlight I grant you.

So a little respite this week with Carling Cup football last night and FA Cup football at the Bridge on Sunday. With any luck this will give JT enough time to recover for the next league game against Blackburn and I am crossing my fingers that Robben’s injury was minor.

As an aside, Wright-Phillips looked a far more effective player in a more central role when he came on as sub.

Forest are no push over but as much as I want the Cup, it does have to take second place to the league. We cannot bring players back too quickly and risk them suffering longer-term injuries. If ever we needed management, players and supporters to be as one, it is now. Everyone needs to wake up to the fact that this title race is not yet lost. But it will be unless unity is restored, and double quick.

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