"We were winning games confidently a few weeks ago, but performances have certainly dipped," he admits.

"We are not as strong as the other four teams above us, in terms of strength in depth and the fact that they have been over the course before and know that this is the crucial part of the season.

"Those top sides find themselves in the top four and with the squads to cope. They are also in the Champions League still, so it is no fluke that they are doing this.

"It is exceptionally hard work for them, but they are all there again at the top. Credit to them.

"We have a lot of catching up to do in every aspect. It has been a really fine effort by my team this season to even be up there at the top, and now we must not just disintegrate.

"The players are away now with their national sides, so when they return we must re-group and be ready for the next game at Manchester United.

"We must start winning games again, and when we start doing that we will restore our confidence."

Friedel, who will be banned from that trip to United, was upset by the red card from referee Martin Atkinson.

"I was disappointed," he said.

"I could see Torres was going to get to the ball first, even though he had taken a heavy touch on it - so I felt that if I had laid down in front of him it would have been grounds for a sending-off.

"But that wasn't the case. I stood my ground and I actually turned my shoulder away to show to the referee that I was not trying to make contact with him, and it was Torres who ran in and made contact with me.

"There was an argument for the penalty and maybe a booking, but not for a sending-off - especially because he had a defender running alongside him."