Frustratingly inevitable

That's why two of our new signings were stuck on the bench for the match at the Cottage which, after a brief upturn in May, returned to its usual depressing outcome.

That said at half time I thought the day was set for a typical Everton away win, where our ruthless efficiency in front of goal and stubbornness in defence would lead to yet another workmanlike away victory.

But instead the team decided to hang on to the 1-0 win from the 45th minute onwards. That tactic was fine in 2002 when we had a committed but limited squad in terms of ability. But found in the present XI is an array of attacking players that shouldn't defend on their 18 yard line and be able kill games off when they are on top.

Instead, as Fulham pressed, a lucky deflection and a piece of class from Duff - albeit from some poor defending - sent us crashing to a third defeat in four.

To really kick us in the balls while were down Phil Neville was crunched by Dickson Ethuhu and has joined Arteta, Jags and Big Vic in the seriously injured club (in place of the only recently recovered Yakubu).

I'm not going to say Neville is universally popular with Blues fans, especially when he plays in midfield, but I know we will miss his leadership at a time where all our players need to stand up to be counted - you often only realise how much you need something when it isn't there.

Injuries are part of the game but you couldn't blame Moyes for feeling a little sorry for himself at the moment. In the last 11 months he has lost his best forward, midfielder, defender and now captain to serious injuries. How much would I give for a Football Manager style reset button to restore our injured quartet to full fitness.

In Neville's absence further responsibility will be placed on Jack Rodwell, whose rapid rise from young reserve to first team regular makes me feel excited and nervous at the same time. Excited because we have a talent not seen at Goodison since Wayne Rooney donned a blue shirt and nervous because, well, look where Rooney ended up.

I do believe we will turn it around - we seem to be a side that specialises in 'runs', be it good or bad. But given the investment made at White Hart Lane and Eastlands this summer the chances of beating them to a Europa League spot, let alone the Champions League places, are slim already.

That makes Thursday night and our subsequent weeknights in the re-branded Europa League all the more important. Not only will it distract us from our perils at the foot of the Premier League but it represents a realistic chance of silverware this season. The chances are we will avoid any European giants (Benfica apart!) until the last 16 and even then those clubs will hopefully see the tie as an irritable distraction to their league campaigns and the mad dash for Champion League spots.

We all took some great memories from our run two years ago. For a few precious minutes the Fiorentina game was threatening to become the 'Bayern Munich' match of my generation. But instead the penalty curse saw it become an evening of ifs and maybes. We have been itching to re-dress the balance ever since.

And after a journey to the League Cup semi-final in 2008 and an adventure to the FA Cup Final 2009, why not a Europa League victory in 2010?