NO MORE SLIP UPS

Last updated : 02 December 2003 By editor

"You have to move on from defeats like this and it is how we respond now that is vital," he said. "We are four behind Chelsea and three behind Arsenal and it looks like they have opened up a bit of a gap. We can't afford any more slip-ups.”

"It is a challenge now we are fully aware of. Last season when we lost up at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day we didn't lose a game after that and that's the kind of form we need to show now if we are going to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.”

"At the end of the season when you look back at the results against the top three sides that's where the championship is going to be won and lost. We did that last season and we have to get back to that this year when those games come around."

Ruud added:

"Taking points off your rivals is always the key to success and it was the same last year. We have to do it this year," he said.

"It is too early to say our backs are against the wall but we know what we have to do. We have to move on and take something out of this game. We did well in the second half and we deserved a point. We are in this together and we'll come through it together.”