Steve harper today revealed that Newcastle United's 2-1 defeat at Fulham prevented him and his team-mates from achieving their target of beating both Aston Villa and the Cottagers.
The aim among the United players had been to win both games to put them back in touch with the top six.
Harper performed heroics against Villa, but could do little about both of the goals at Craven Cottage with United handing the home side two gift-wrapped strikes.
Harper told the Chronicle: "It was very disappointing for us as we really fancied our chances to get six points out of the Villa and Fulham games.
"At half-time we knew we had done a job in terms of stifling Fulham, and we probably shaded the first period.
"We kept the crowd quiet and at half-time we fancied our chances.
"Unfortunately, at the start of the second half they knocked the stuffing out of us.
"Even after we went 1-0 down I fancied us to respond, but it just didn't happen.
"We were a little bit flat and the goal at the end from Oba Martins showed us what might have been for us.
"But we were confident ahead of the game."
United went into the break with the scores level, but even though they were below par in the first half, Fulham also offered little in terms of attacking prowess.
Harper added: "It had 0-0 written all over it at half-time, and usually the longer the game goes on at 0-0 and you keep things tight, you might get a goal - especially with Oba up front. You know a goal might come.
"Oba showed at the end he was capable of scoring, but it was a nightmare start to the second half and we didn't respond."
Heidar Helguson's opening strike came after a mix-up between Stephen Carr and Nicky Butt, and after the former Manchester United man's backpass did not make it back to Harper, the Fulham star cashed in.
Harper, though, spared a thought for Butt.
He said: "It was out of character for Nicky. He has been one of our best players this season.
"He was disappointed, but it was one of those things.
"He is a big character and I am sure he will bounce back as soon as possible.
"For the second goal Papa Bouba Diop is a big unit and he shoved off a couple of challenges before playing the ball across for Brian McBride - it was a simple finish.
"McBride has to hit me from five yards out for it not to go in, and he hit it well.
"They were both disappointing goals, but we have to bounce back against Liverpool."
Source Lee Ryder at The Evening Chronicle