Gavin Hunt looked haggard after Bidvest Wits sagged to a fourth game without a win, and another demoralising Absa Premiership defeat at home.
The league champions lost 1-0 to Free State Stars on Friday night.
The coach appeared worn out. The defeat at Bidvest Stadium took Wits to 15 matches and halfway - and bottom of the log.
Returning from the Christmas break, Hunt had two of his new signings on the field. Eddie Gyimah in midfield and Lehlohonolo Majoro in attack were characteristically bustling and brimming with energy.
Sifiso Myeni returned from loan at SuperSport United and provided much-needed class out wide.
Yet Wits conceded another soft goal, this time to Tamsanqa Teyise in the 33rd minute in a string now so long as, well - how long can a piece of string go?In this sort of form, the best they could have hoped for on Friday night was a draw, but even that eluded Wits despite them having the better chances against Luc Eymael's tenacious Stars.
"Ja, we had five, actually," said Hunt about his team's chances. "And they barely had a chance. Well, it [the ball] went through 10 players there, bounced and he [Teyise] hit it - and goal.
"When you are where we are, that's what happens. If we score, and go 3-0 up, then they can score the one - then we make it 4-1. Like we normally do.
"But it hasn't happened. Not for lack of effort, crosses, passing, chances. Not for lack of anything."
It was put to Hunt that Wits, with the football they have played, should never have been in last place and that this fighting out of bottom has now become a "thing" for them. (Though in all honesty, it has been for some time).
"Or to get a win," the coach said...