The 3-0 loss to the Fire was just humiliating, all the more so since it followed a 4-0 drubbing they endured in Chicago just a few weeks back.

Bad as this result was, it was the nature of the defeat that gives most cause for concern. This Revs team showed none of the character that has been a hallmark of Revolution sides over the past five seasons. Impotent in attack, confused in midfield and slack at the back, the team seems to have lost its will to win.

None of the players wanted the ball and while the Revs had their share of possession the players seemed content to pass it anywhere. There was no movement and few ideas.

It is apparent that while there are plenty of new faces in Foxboro in 2008 the Revs have not improved their squad over last season and while they still possess a solid core they do not have any real depth. They have a strong starting eleven but when one of them goes down it means trouble.

Injuries to Ralston and Twellman have so far deprived them of two players vital to their system and the young guys starting in their absence do not have the necessary skill, nor the experience, that will allow the team to maintain its position in the league.

There has been a loss of confidence and that is why mistakes are being made at the back and ideas are lacking up front.

Mauricio Castro, the Honduran midfielder picked up in the off-season does not yet comfortably fill the central role vacated by Andy Dorman’s departure. Dorman was only making $30,000 in 2007 and understandably wanted more money so he left for Scotland.

Castro has a good left foot and may improve as he adapts to a new league, although he has already displayed his immaturity, earning a straight red card for administering a swift kick to the undercarriage of one opponent in New York. He is being paid $96,000 by the way. Dorman must be wondering.

Chris Albright was brought in for $160,000 to add some experience at the back after Avery John’s desire for an increase in his $70,000 salary did not meet with approval.

Albright was injured and is just coming back to the lineup so it is too soon to judge his value although his assumption of the right back slot has pushed Jay Heaps out to the left and Heaps has been on the right side forever.

With Pat Noonan in Norway and Twellman out injured, the forward pairing of Cristman and  Mansally has not been a profitable one. Either might thrive alongside a more experienced and crafty striking partner, like Twellman, but they do not have the craft to get the better of well-drilled defenses.

I am sure that the players will want to put things right on the training field this week and it’s safe to say they will receive the necessary encouragement from Steve Nicol and Paul Mariner. Steve looked a wee bit ‘peely-wally’ at the post game press conference, as they say in his native land.

But the Revs still look a bit lightweight in comparison to recent years and they could really use another goal scorer and a midfielder with some guile if they have any ambition of getting their hands on that elusive MLS Cup this year.