And while two consecutive losses does not a crisis make, it is causing concern among the Portuguese club's coaching staff.

Long the team many love to hate, Vasco have, over the past two years, silenced those anxious to see them stumble. Success can have that effect.

However, the onset of a losing streak -- albeit just two games -- has caused a resurgence of the naysayers.

Prior to last Tuesday night Vasco appeared an impenetrable wall, having slayed all six previous foes by a combined score of 19-5.

It was a done deal. Vasco would sweep through the year gobbling all manner of silverware and all others would battle merely for second place.

Then, as during the middle of a dry summer, the well suddenly ran dry.

First North Village sent the favourites crashing out of the Martonmere Cup and two days ago they were handed a setback in their quest for a second straight First Division title as Dandy Town enjoyed a 3-2 defeat of the champions.

Questions arose: Does the team have heart? Are there ego problems? Have they simply been overrated by the media? Are they hungry? Coach John Rebello yesterday dismissed any notion of his players not being willing to give their all for the club, but admitted to a degree of complacency.

"Things came easy for us last season. It's hard to repeat and we have guys not now wanting to do the basics and it was the basics that got there then and what got us the victories at the beginning of the season,'' said Rebello, currently in his third year at the helm.

"There's a lot of things that we as a team have to come together and sort out. Guys really have to say to themselves `I really want to go out there and defend my championship. I really want to win'.

"It all comes from attitude and lately there's been a lackadaisical approach to training...the assumption that you just step on the field and victories will come.'' While unwilling to speak of defeat in terms of a good thing, Rebello's tone hinted at the recent downturn as something that might wake his troops to the reality that glory must be earned.

"It's hard to motivate a team that feels they've won it all,'' said Rebello.

"Overall, the bottom line is that the guys have to look in the mirror and decide for themselves whether they want more.'' Vasco gets a chance to get back on track on Saturday, when they meet lowly St.

George's, a team they beat 7-0 three weeks ago.