Southampton manager Ronald Koeman offered up few excuses as his team was dumped out of the Capital One Cup by League One side Sheffield United.
Much of the optimism from Saints surprisingly vibrant start to the season has evaporated as they have now lost their last five matches, with Koeman claiming his side never got to grips with their opponents on a night when the Premier League side offered up just one shot on target.
"We are disappointed because we knew this was a tough game and this is not about the level we are at and the level they are at," he said on Southampton's YouTube channel after the 1-0 quarterfinal defeat at Bramall Lane.
"This wasn't good enough. We didn't show the quality we normally have in our ball possession and they deserved to win because they created the best chances in the game.
"We played too much of the long ball. Then it was too easy for Sheffield United and the whole team performance wasn't good enough. We needed to bring the quality and we played more the way they like to play than how we like to play."
Koeman will lose midfielders Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin due to suspension for Saturday's vital Premier League game against Everton at St Mary's Stadium, with the Saints boss accepting his side needs to rediscover their winning touch quickly.
"It looks like everything is against us with the suspensions and the injuries we have at this moment," he said.
"First of all I am disappointed about this result and then I will start to think about Saturday. We play at home, we have to start winning.
"After four or five defeats, there is always questions about the confidence in the team. You need a win, but we are having to make too many changes in the team and too many players are not fresh in a physical way."
Meanwhile, Koeman refused to shake the hand of Sheffield United boss Nigel Clough at the final whistle, as he suggested the antics of the Blades bench had riled him during the game.
"I shake hands with people who have respect for me and who has respect for the fourth official," he added. "The behaviour of Sheffield United's bench, I have never seen this [before] and that's the reason I didn't shake hands."