Source: PA
Ferguson admits crisis of confidence
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Manchester United's growing list of catastrophic collapses is starting to prey on their mind.
United allowed a two-goal lead to slip against West Brom at Old Trafford on Saturday. It was the third time this season Ferguson's side had lost such an imposing lead - and does not count the trip to Fulham in August, when they missed a late penalty when they were already a goal in front and then conceded an equaliser to Brede Hangeland.
Their weekend misery did not come quite so late. Yet the expected response did not materialise, with West Brom looking the more likely to win the game in the latter stages.
On the eve of Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Bursaspor at Old Trafford, Ferguson confirmed the meek surrender was the result of near terror amongst his team faced with yet another collapse.
"The reason for the lack of response on Saturday was not to do with the game itself, it was to do with the previous matches where we have thrown points away," said Ferguson.
"They start thinking `Christ, here is another one'. That is the impact you get. The conscious part comes into it. They are saying to themselves `we are going to have to face the gaffer and explain this again'. But it is inexplicable."
