Maybe the lack of form or whatever can be partly put down to age. Last season we definetly had the oldest squad in the League. This year we have a bit a new blood. However in the starting 11 around six of them are over 30. OK pro players should be able to perform into their 30's however this is not the EPL where the players have been subjected to a career long intensive sports science conditioning program.
Obviously defenders like Dura are more than capable of playing into his 30's. However it appears that time has caught up with guys like Lockhead. He is smart and experianced so he gets away with it a bit but IMO he is a shadow of the former player who used to bomb up and down the line. Same with Ifill....a self admitted "poor trainer". He does not have the same wirey physique as a Ryan Giggs(who is also a fitness nut). Ifill is a solid guy....he also has a history of injuries that must be having a negative impact....this combined with his legacy of lack of conditioning means he can't just get by on natural ability any more. We may still see flashes of the old "iffs" but unfortunetly his best days are long passed..which is sad.
Whoever coaches the team next year may be looking at a bit of a cleanout