Stoke City stuttered to a 2-0 defeat at Birmingham courtesy of a brace from Lukas Jutkiewicz. Here are the talking points from St Andrew’s.
The shortest, longest season
Never mind that this will actually be one Stoke’s quickest campaigns, it is starting to feel like the longest season.
It has been one heavy slog since returning for behind closed doors matches last June, starting with a big effort to stay up.
There has barely been a break. Most players were only given 10 days off between campaign s because a) it was a tight turnaround and b) it was so important to get off to a better start than the three disasters which had gone before.
There have been three fortnights off for international duty – except for the Stoke players who are internationals – and 56 matches, including perhaps a dozen now when it seemed certain that this season was fizzling into mid-table.
There have been major injuries to key players, fun-numbing restrictions and no supporters.
If it can’t end quick enough, there has to be some hope from somewhere to dangle in front of us all, some excitement for the fans who are sticking it out via paper, websites, streams and radio.
Most Read
There is a transfer window ahead and players returning from the treatment room to make the squad better but they won’t help these final five games.
The players that are left standing are going to have to roll up their sleeves for one last big push to go into the summer with a smile and next season with optimism.
Long throws are sacrosanct
Stoke were never likely to repeat their Rory Delap throw days under Michael O’Neill because, well, no one can repeat those days. There are imitators like Marc Roberts who can chuck it long but no one can sizzle it in like Delap.
For three years in particular there was something magical in the build-up to a throw at the Brit. It wasn’t just a set piece, it was an event. The rumble of the crowd and the panic in the eyes of some of the best defenders in the world was entertainment, if you were a Stoke fan.
It was not much fun watching Roberts trundle around while his big teammates hiked up to the penalty area at St Andrew’s. It was quite irritating that referee Geoff Eltringham didn’t do anything to try to hurry things along.
Eltringham was a master at spotting soft free-kicks which didn’t help matters – at the same time, actually, as missing a blatant pull on Danny Batth to make him concede the throw that led to the opener.
Don’t miss
But throws are deep in the Stoke psych. Moaning about it won’t do any good. Instead, don’t give away throw-ins so easily, just like you shouldn’t give a poor, whistle-happy referee any chance to blow.
Loopy long throws should be lapped up by three centre-backs anyway. Indeed, they were for the most part. If they’re played short, stop the crosses or deal with them when they come over.
And, judging by the overwhelming reaction to O’Neill’s post-match interview, just bite your tongue if you’re asked about it.
Have your say on this
Stoke-on-Trent Live has launched a new commenting system, with the aim of generating better conversations and improving everyone's experience of visiting the website.
How can I get involved?
Log on via the interface in the top right-hand corner of the website with your name and email address. Once you verify your email account, you're good to go.
What type of comments are you looking for?
We want balanced and fair comments that are relevant to the story they are written on. We also encourage you to respond to other comments, as long as you do so respectfully.
We'll be switching on a follow button, so if you're interested in one particular story, you'll get an email to your account whenever anyone says something new.
Constructive feedback on articles is also welcomed.
A long process
The last few months with key players missing have highlighted the size of the rebuilding job that Michael O’Neill inherited.
Underneath a pretty strong core of players there are some who will not be able to take the team forward and, no one needs reminding, 12 more out on loan.
There is clearly not much wriggle room when it comes to recruitment – and that also extends to keeping hold of the players who were signed when there was. For context, Gary Rowett and Nathan Jones made 21 signings with a generous Championship wage budget.
So talks can’t really start with Nick Powell, one of 20 out of contract at the end of next season and obviously a key figure, until at least some of the players who have no future are gone.
O’Neill told Radio Stoke: "It's very difficult for us to do that at this minute in time because of the rules of FFP. We have players that are on contracts that are on contracts that are quite different to the players who have signed since I came to the club.
"We have to be mindful in terms of that and setting the bar for wages that we're prepared to pay and able to pay. At this minute in time we're not in a position to be able to extend contracts.
"We'll look at the situation in the summer. Nick has a year to go and he obviously has had a very strong season. Those are the types of player you want to keep at the club.
"At the moment, as we are readjusting financially how we are as a club, it's more difficult to have those conversations."