The six-goal rout at Stamford Bridge was City's biggest loss since 1995 and the worst of Eriksson's entire managerial career.

Although he insisted his view of the Blues squad has not changed, the Swede did see some aspects of his team's performance he did not like, not least the fact they effectively threw in the towel once defeat was inevitable.

"It seemed like we gave up, which is very bad," observed Eriksson.

"The goals we conceded got easier and easier.

"I still believe we are still a very good team with very good football players. But it is very difficult to explain what happened at the weekend. It was a collective collapse, truly awful.

"I was sat on the bench with 20 minutes to go, looking at my watch wishing it was finished because I knew there was no chance we would come back.

"We saw exactly what happens when you are not prepared to defend properly against the likes of Drogba, Lampard, Essien and Joe Cole.

"If you give them all the space of an airport they will kill you and they killed us."

Eriksson conceded he was thankful to referee Mike Riley for not adding on any more than 30 seconds in injury time, putting City out of their misery before they suffered any more.

But, while he hopes the reaction in tomorrow's Carling Cup fourth round tie with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium will be positive, the City chief admits he cannot be certain.

"I am glad we have another game so quickly but I am curious to see what happens," he said.

"I am confident because, while, probably, we will lose some more games in the future, I don't think they will be like that."

There be an unexpected spin-off for some of City's senior stars from the weekend debacle considering Eriksson is now revising his team selection for tomorrow night's encounter.

After making wholesale changes for victories over Bristol City and Norwich earlier in the competition, Eriksson had been expected to employ the same philosophy against the Trotters, even though a quarter-final place is at stake.

However, while it seems unlikely playmaker Elano and veteran midfielder Dietmar Hamann will be involved, Eriksson is now giving his side some thought.

"We have not decided the team yet but I am tempted to give all those who were out there at Stamford Bridge the change to avenge what happened," said Eriksson.

Sweden World Cup star Andreas Isaksson will be given a chance to stake his claim for a goalkeeping berth with his first start of the season, although Eriksson was at pains to stress the decision to omit England Under-21 keeper Joe Hart had been made long before Saturday's nightmare unfolded.

"It has been decided for several weeks," he said.

"Andreas has been training for quite a while and he needed a chance to show how good he is.

"It has absolutely nothing to do with Joe Hart's performance on Saturday. He was actually one of the few positives we might want to take from the game. But now it is Andreas' time."

Sammy Lee's departure from Bolton has denied Eriksson the chance of a reunion with a member of his old England coaching staff.

The City boss has attempted to make contact with Lee, although, much as in their working relationship, communication has been difficult.

Instead, Eriksson has refocused on beating a Bolton side he felt was unlucky not to beat Aston Villa in Gary Megson's first match in charge on Sunday.

"I did not follow Sammy's situation but of course I feel sorry for him," said Eriksson.

"Both myself and Tord Grip sent a message to Sammy when it happened but Sammy is not very good at answering his mobile phone. He has never been to be fair.

"I watched Bolton on Sunday and felt they were very unlucky not to win.

"Gary Megson seems to have got it right so far and we are expecting a very difficult game."