David Jeffrey was left searching for words after watching Linfield crumble to a 3-0 defeat to title rivals Cliftonville on Saturday.
The champions toiled and laboured as they were humbled at Solitude.
Goals from Ciaran Caldwell, Liam Boyce and an embarrassing own goal from Albert Watson saw the Reds extend their lead at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership.
Linfield’s miserable afternoon was compounded with the sending off of Mark McAllister in the second half.
Tommy Breslin’s men now boast a healthy six-point advantage at the Premiership summit.
Perhaps more significantly is the fact they now lead Linfield by 12 points.
The pressure has been cranked up on the Blues’ title defence.
It may only be mid-November but the Big Two giants have stalled in the bottom half of the table.
And for Jeffrey, their quest for a seventh title in eight years is turning into a challenge of Everest proportions.
“The challenge for me is no different than any other year,” Jeffrey said.
“To be honest the challenge just gets greater every season. It gets bigger because of what has been done the previous season.
“I knew that at the start of this season, it is a massive challenge. And that’s what it is turning out to be.
“I am bitterly disappointed. We basically lost the game in the first half.
“It was a poor, poor performance.
“I haven’t got an analysis at the moment, I can’t fathom it.
“I saw a Cliftonville team who wanted it more than us. They had greater passion, desire and heart - simple as that.
“Why that happened today, I am not too sure.
“This performance would be something similar to the one at Donegal Celtic a couple of seasons ago.”
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