Best performance for ages, particularly going forward. We created at least half a dozen good chances, scored none, and fell to the almost inevitable sucker punch. A real sickener.

For the record Smith and Barton were selected again, although at least we had a fit keeper today. Smith had a decent game, without ever having a sniff at goal - for a centre forward this is not that great. Barton was largely hopeless, but laid on two glorious chances for Owen, who missed from both.

We dominated the game, created good chances, and should have won comfortably. Having said that we still creaked defensively, and Harper had to make 2 or 3 very good saves to keep us in it. Harper was a huge improvement on Given.

For all those who have been arguing Michael Owen will put them away if someone creates the chances for him - including myself - he really should have had a hat trick today.

Some good performances and hopeful signs, and no lack of effort or committment - but critically, nil points. We also lasted the 90 mins better than of late.

A big talking point was Zog’s omission from the starting line-up. He came on as a 2nd half sub, so clearly wasn’t injured. I could be wrong, but suspect he’s off in the summer - along with Viduka, who wasn’t even in the 16.

And here are what KK said after the game, quoting from SkySports:

“Incredible [the result], that’s football - it is a cruel game at times.”

“I thought it was a magnificent performance. First half if we come in 2-0 or 3-0 up I don’t think anyone would have questioned it. Second half we had four or five good chances, but if you don’t stick them away you can get punished. We got caught with a sucker punch. Blackburn stole the three points today but that’s football.”

“This week training has been superb and they had taken that into the game today, and I feel really sorry for them in there because they definitely did not deserve this.”

“They have to pick themselves up and we have got to help pick them up, and we have got to go to Anfield that is our next match.”

“We have got to face reality - we have a lot of big games to come but if players play like that today I don’t think we will have any problems, we will win more than we lose that’s for sure. I thought we gave a really good account of ourselves, but at end of day we have got nothing for it.”

“We are a team that has not won in a while and confidence is low. That last-minute goal will not help, but we will pick them up and dust them down and take them to Anfield. Spirit is good, no doubt about that. They have done everything they can to win a football match, and as manager I certainly cannot ask for any more than that”.

What can really be said that hasn’t been said a hundred times in a thousand different ways? Only six words are really needed - this team is not good enough.

While we all really know we aren’t on the same planet as ManU nowadays, to be fair, they tried - surely the very minimum we should expect?

Until the final 15-20 minutes, we actually gave them a game, but shot ourselves in the foot at regular intervals, most of their goals being the result of individual errors, or individual errors being massively contributory - much as we’ve been doing all season, in fact.

In the last 15-20 minutes, after the 3rd went, yet again we lost all shape and ran around chasing the ball like schoolboys, with the inevitable consequences.

I said after last weeks humiliation that it was highly unlikely we could improve if KK persevered playing 4-4-2 with Butt and Barton in central midfield - and today provided further evidence, if we needed it.

Butt ran himself into the ground, and was a mix a good and bad, but I wouldn’t criticise him too much. Barton was s***e; and the crowd began to turn on him in the 2nd half.

We defended pathetically as a team. It doesn’t really matter who we play in the back four when they get so little protection from our non-existent midfield.

I lost count of the number of times a ManU player picked up the ball in midfield with no Black ‘N White shirt within 15 yards of him, run at the back four unchallenged, and have a choice of 2 of 3 team-mates to pick out with a pass.

Barton gave one goal away, Taylor another and Smith another. Given stood rooted to his line as the ball was played across the 6yd box on the 1st two goals, his kicking as usual was hopeless, and we needed to waste one sub when he failed to appear for the 2nd half.

Smith worked tirelessly, and even had a decent shot saved. Owen was on the pitch. Carroll was a bit of an improvement.

Another very sad day in the continuing demise of the club we all love, and I rather doubt even The Messiah can turn these lumps into bread and fishes.

Well, another two points down the toilet as things become ever more worrying. On the overall balance of play a draw was probably a fair result.

There were some signs of general improvement, particularly in the second half, but for me we still have problems in midfield where we were never really able to establish any degree of control, apart from a spell in the 2nd half during which we scored.

Once again, we failed to create many clearcut chances, were frequently weak in the tackle, and were guilty of giving the ball away far too often.

I’m afraid Nicky Butt was once again the most guilty in this regard, and it was this propensity to give the ball away that invited the late pressure from Boro that lead to their equaliser.

There were a few decent performances. Individually the defenders did ok, and Taylor and Cacapa made some excellent last ditch tackles and blocks, but as a unit they are still unconvincing.

Sad again, but I have to say that the keeper just doesn’t help them with his dithering. N’Zogbia was caught out of position too often for my comfort, but he did some good things going forward.

Duff had a decent performance, and Barton improved markedly in the second half, especially when he moved into the middle when Emre was subbed. For me, Emre once again largely flattered to deceive - however, his free kick for Owen’s near post headed goal was absolutely sublime.

Owen had an early goal very harshly chalked off for a non-existent foul on Schwarzer, who appeared to simply drop the ball, and also put a far post header in the net only to have that one ruled out because Zog’s cross had curled just out if play and back in.

Owen looked more lively than of late, and I thought he looked a little sharper and pacier. Alan Smith was kicked from pillar to post by the big brute, Wheater who was extremely fortunate not be sent off for his second crude first half foul on Smith.

As ever, Smudger stuck to it, and won a few flick-ons, but his overall contribution was disappointing. He was subbed in the second half, after a cheap yellow looked to have wound him up.

Not a convincing performance, but a point gained I suppose. Beye and Faye may improve us defensively, and hopefully Owen will continue to get sharper with games under his belt.

However, I just can’t see what KK can do with this midfield with the personnel at his disposal. Unless or until we can start to dominate in midfield against even the weaker Premier League teams, especially at home, I’m afraid we will continue to struggle.