Someone on this site wondered where all the critics were following the team’s recent resurgence. Waiting for the slip-up is the answer.

And today, predictably, it came. Yet again, the team fails to defend a lead into the 90th minute and yet again we are treated to a comedic piece of goalkeeping from the Spanish waiter.

Of course next week a draw between Manure and the Chavs followed by our assumed win over Wolves would bring us back to where we were at 3pm on Saturday, with the three teams separated by two points just with five games to go.

Were that to happen could the title still be on? I doubt it because I cannot see us winning the final five games while Manure drop at least three more three points and the Chavs at least another two. (Because of our inferior goal difference we are really a further one point behind the Chavs and Manure.)

Let’s assume the results go as I suggest next Saturday and then dissect what would have happen for us to win the League thereafter;

1. We would have to beat Spurs (A), Wigan (A), Man C (H), Blackburn (A) and Fulham (H); maybe Spurs will have their minds on having just won the FA Cup semi-final and their subsequent visit to Wembley in May. It’s possible, but somehow I expect the North London Derby to be another draw. The other games we should win, but if we only draw with Spurs, we would need Manure to drop five more points, after the hoped for draw against the Chavs, and we would need the Chavs to drop four more points…

2. Could Manure drop five points after the hoped for draw with the Chavs? Possibly, but for that to happen Man City would probably need to beat them and the Spuds would need to get a draw. Can you see both of those results happening? One of them maybe, but both? Realistically? Not me, I can’t.

3. Could the Chavs also drop four points after the hoped for draw with Manure? Again we would be reliant on the Spuds getting a draw and Liverpool doing the same. Possible, but how likely is it really? Well after putting seven past Villa, I can’t see the Chavs failing to beat both the Spuds and the Scousers.

We are in third place and I think that’s there where we will finish – and, moreover, that’s where we belong right now. Taking zero points from the Chavs and Manure is part of the story. Failing to defend into the final minutes is another part of the story. But the real reason is simple – we don’t have a proper keeper.

Almunia’s shocking goalkeeping cost us two points at Brum, but it’s not the first time this has happened; true he has made some great saves, including the penalty last week against West Ham, but his ineptitude cost us at Old Trafford while his fellow keepers have hardly inspired confidence when taking his place.

If he has another shocker on Wednesday v Barca, what will happen then? A downward spiral and a battle to hold off the Spuds for third? It’s not impossible. But it certainly is galling for all the potential of this team to be undone by the failure of the manager to sign a proper keeper. It’s not too much to ask is it?