Sunderland coach Gus Poyet called for a change in strategy after his side became the first team to lose at home to QPR in the Premier League this season.
The Black Cats' buffer above the relegation zone was trimmed to two points, and Poyet was in sombre mood after seeing his players' response to the home crowd's exhortations after the break.
He said: "Typical us. When we are in a good situation, we always make a step back, so it's something we need to correct because it is happening too many times.
"It happened last year -- I am talking only about my time here -- and it's happened again this year. Every time we do something all right, then next step is worse.
"The players are trying -- you could not ask for more. The second half was as much effort as I have ever seen on this pitch.
"I don't know if it's football -- I'm sorry about that -- I don't define that as football, I define that as a desperate team running about just trying to be nice with the fans."
Though Poyet could not fault his team's effort, he said something must be done to fix a pattern of losing.
"We need to change. I think it's time to sit down, everybody, reflect on football, listen, learn and then maybe we can make a bigger step forward.
"If we keep trying to sort out problems just asking the team to do things we are not capable of doing, then we are going to have this situation for years, with me, without me, with the next manager and with the next five managers.
"It's time. I'd like to be the one to change things, but I cannot see it happening in a short period of time."