There really isn't much to do with it aside from the players on the pitch. We weren't winning the Champions League when we had Blanc and Silvestre at centre half. The Premier League witnessed it's cycle. The best players of that successful era are either retired or winding down.
When our sides boast defenders as good as a prime Ferdinand, Terry, Vidic, Carvalho, Campbell and even Carragher, we might see them shut out Barcelona over two legs, like United did.
When Liverpool can put out a midfield three anything close to Gerrard, Alonso and Mascherano, or Chelsea can find another prime Frank Lampard, or Arsenal can find another 17 year old Fabregas, or United can field the best player in the world alongside Rooney and Tevez, maybe then we'll see our sides lock out the semi-final slots like we used to.
But that isn't the case. The best defender in the country right now is Terry, just older, not as good and partnered with Gary Cahill instead of Ricky Carvalho. Liverpool are fighting the best sides in Europe with Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson as a midfield two. United are currently fielding Ashley Young at left wing and Marouane Fellaini is one of the team's most important players. Francis Coquelin is starting every week for Arsenal having just progressed throughout the Championship and City were bringing on the mighty £27 million Wilfried Bony to change the game against Barcelona.
And people wonder why we're a bit shit? I've rambled far too long so well done if you've made it this far, but I quite enjoyed writing down just how genuinely average these current players are compared to the team's we boasted a little while ago.