Any faint hopes of Blackburn Rovers' season catching fire again were extinguished with a limp 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth.
Two weeks on the training pitch did little to help Valerien Ismael's side overcome the problems they have routinely struggled with under his watch. It is now four successive defeats and four victories in 19 Championship outings.
The head coach is right to bat away questions on the play-offs. The gap might only be five points still but if Rovers can't win, it is immaterial. To take no points from their last four games is criminal for a top-six chasing side.
Here are the key takeaways from a frustrating afternoon at Fratton Park.
READ MORE: 'Expected much more' - Valerien Ismael on Blackburn Rovers' repeat problems
Giving the opposition a leg up
Once again, Blackburn Rovers went in at half-time after being second best to the opposition. They are giving themselves a mountain to climb in matches.
Since Norwich, Rovers have routinely given away soft goals. It was a simple one-two between Josh Murphy and Colby Bishop which saw him spring the defence. The finish was clinical and Rovers could do with attackers offering similar threat.
From a Portsmouth view, it's a nicely-worked goal but defensively, it's very easy. They have become a soft touch since John Eustace left, the opposite of what they used to be.
I never subscribe to the theory that players don't try or throw in the towel. It wouldn't be fair to throw that at this group. But the light has gone out and nobody can turn it back on. Players look physically and mentally exhausted. They've run out of gas 15 miles from home.
They are not doing the basics well, which is what elevated them into a play-off team. They are being dominated in midfield despite having their first-choice pairing available again.
In the first half, Portsmouth won every second ball and set the tempo. Freddie Potts was the best player on the pitch and ran the midfield. Rovers were half a yard behind across the pitch.
If you're being brave and giving the ball away, that is one thing. But to not match the opposition shows this is a deeper issue than simply confidence. It has not been a characteristic of this group all season but right now, they look shot.
Repeat problems not solved
Rovers improved in the second half in terms of their intensity and desire. But they were blunt again in the final third.
They left Fratton Park without working the Pompey number one, who didn't make a meaningful save. Cauley Woodrow's 40-yard lob was the closest they came. Yuki Ohashi's tame header was the only attempt on target in the second half.
They regularly got into decent areas but their final ball was so poor. There was no quality or cutting edge in the final third. Portsmouth were not brilliant in the second half, they dropped off, yet it was still comfortable for them to see the game out.
They're not shooting or showing creativity to break teams down. They have averaged 2.4 shots per game in Ismael's five. The division's lowest average is Plymouth with three a match.
Whatever was worked on in the last two weeks didn't work. Ismael found himself repeating the same verdict as he did after Stoke and Derby.
Damning statistics
Nobody fancied Rovers this weekend and certainly not after they went a goal behind. This team has not won from behind since August, the 2-1 comeback over Oxford United.
They have rescued a few draws from losing positions but recently, that's been a struggle too. Their record away at newly-promoted sides is well documented now, standing at 12 successive defeats. That's four whole seasons under the same number of head coaches.
Four wins in 19 is almost half a season's work and relegation form. The season is ending with a whimper and neither the players nor Ismael seem capable of turning it around.
Sure, they were overachieving to have spent so long in the play-offs. But the predictable drop-off doesn't feel any less painful for supporters. They are not going down without a fight which is a failing of the board, head coach and players.
Valerien Ismael's share of the blame
Supporters are incredibly disillusioned with Ismael at the moment. I was happy to defend some of that criticism before the break.
But after two weeks away, to reset and recharge, nothing has changed. The players do not look inspired or well-drilled. There are no patterns or clear principles of play.
That takes time and perhaps a pre-season but he needs to earn buy-in to get there. How you apportion the blame for the recent shortcomings is subjective but nobody is without criticism.
Do the players need a head coach barking instructions from the sidelines? Shouting and encouraging for 90 minutes, as Eustace did? That is certainly not Ismael's style.
It wasn't Jon Dahl Tomasson's either and they were still successful. Though he had a far more technically gifted squad in year one, who clearly knew what his ideas and demands were.
Either way, there has been little chemistry between fans, head coach or players. Rovers are not a sacking club nor one flush with cash to play-off a long-term.
I am certainly not advocating for that at this stage but if results continue until May, Ismael's position might become untenable with the supporters.
A restless fan base
After the furious response to season ticket prices and a written protest against the senior leadership team, this performance and result has done little to quell their anger.
Supporters are fed up and I don't blame them. They have been left in the dark, jilted and had their hopes raised only to have them shot down again.
The anger and frustration will potentially make Ewood Park a toxic place to be next Friday, in front of the Sky cameras. The unity installed by previous management has dissolved.
What they need is clear communication from the club about the plans beyond this season and acknowledgement that repeat mistakes have cost them.
Will they get that? I won't hold my breath.
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