We must make this a turning point.

[Beamer]

No defeat is good but RM must see this as a turning point in not just our season but our long term outlook. It must be recognised that certain players must not remain in our set up.
Senderos is a cart-horse and is simply not up to it, how could Burn (inexperienced or not) be worse than that. Was it a penalty or a dive, who cares, you simply cannot get caught flat footed by a journeyman player (he is no Ronaldo) doing a couple of step overs and stick a leg out at groin height and expect to get away with it.
Adam Johnson must rub his hands together every time he sees Riise on the team sheet against him. He turns him inside out whenever they meet, even when he was at Man City who can forget him tying him up in knots inside the box all afternoon. Riise has been an excellent player but those days are long gone and it is time for him to ply his trade away from the premiership.
If Bent is considered only good enough for 15 mins at the end why is he here. Trotta could come back and sit on the bench and do nothing then come on at the end when it is too late. I still can't believe that we sent Dembele on for experience against Wham when we were getting massacred no wonder his hamstring went, it must have been a nightmare experience.
Berbatov is class and it is hard to say we should not keep him if we can but his work-rate has never been his strength and being a sublime finisher (and creator for others in the box) has made him his name. For whatever reason neither of those things are happening at present so can we afford to carry him at present, even if he stays this window he will be gone in the summer. Tough one for RM that one.
All in all it is time for us to take some decisions as the sides we are putting out are simply not fit for purpose and will not keep us up. Either we spend some of the serious money we have failed to spend over the last few years (where our policy has been a disaster) or we throw in some of the youngsters who may or may not be regarded as being ready. The sensible approach would surely be a combination of the two and the next couple of weeks will see if Mr Khan is serious about his commitment to the club, I just have a funny feeling that he might be. Realistically we know that we are not about to see an open ended cheque book but if we are to stay in this league 3 or 4 better quality signings (with the right attitude, not ageing stars looking for a last pay day) are a must - summer may be too late.