Is it the end?

So, the agony of another slow and painful defeat. Not only were we beaten, we were systematically dissected by a team who are technically light years behind us but tactically and mentally superior. I would like to aske Martino who the long balls are for. Is it for the 2 metre tall Fabregas and Messi? I'm afraid Sr Martino is out of his depth, so far out of his depth that maybe he'll actually find that black box everyone is looking for!

We didn't just get beaten, we were woeful. Atletico were first to every ball, tougher in every tackle. They showed more desire. We couldn't cope with them. Thank God Costa was injured or it would have been a blood bath!

The question must be, is this the end of this current Barça?

Valdes is leaving, we know. Alves has been anonymous for much of the campaign although still capable of brilliance. He is also at an age where we must look to the future. Our beloved Puyol is finished, and Xavi won't be far behind. Iniesta has been, until el Classico, a shadow of his former self. We have no strikers, no defenders and it seems no clear plan or direction.

All good things must come to an end. And Barça clearly need surgery - if the international ban allows them to do this is another thing! Clearly, what we need is a long term view as since Guardiola, we've just been looking at the present.

We need a manager who is technically and tactically aware - and it pains me to say that it is not Martino. Who plays long balls to Messi? We need to start buying depth and quality. Mascherano is a butcher and not a central defender. Fabregas needs to be groomed for Xavi's role and Iniesta needs competition. We also need some sort of striker.

We may win the league and it may paper over a few cracks but the cracks in the Barça squad are very very deep now and if we are not careful, the whole Masia will come tumbling down!