"I think (Columbus) had four shots and they scored three times" -- and pointed out that, with the Revs already a confirmed participant in the postseason, the recent blip that has resulted in two consecutive defeats might be due to eyes being on bigger challenges that lay ahead.
"We are fortunate that, at the present time, we can get away with it. It is no great consolation but it's a fact," he said. "I hope that has been part of the reason why we have made some mistakes. I couldn't hang my hat on it and say that is it but I certainly hope that is what it is."
This Saturday, Nicol takes his side to Toronto for a lunchtime kickoff that, he hopes, will have a better result on the menu and serve as a moral-booster ahead of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against New York, which begin a week later.
"Do we get anything from (Toronto) other than professional pride and performance? No. At the same time, though, we want to win and we don't want to lose," Nicol said. "Come the playoffs, then what has happened this Saturday will make no difference, whether we win or lose. It's really all about getting ready for a week on Saturday. For me, that means having a good performance at Toronto."
Although his current concern is with individual mistakes on the field, Nicol does not believe his players have anything specific to prove to him. Their challenge, he says, is to make sure they are performing to the standards they have set for themselves.
"As a player, every time you step on the field you have to prove what you can do. I am more concerned that that is the attitude," he said. "I know exactly what everyone can do and is capable of. The players have to go and prove that every game to themselves, more than anything else."
One player that continues to set the right example to himself and to his team is the Revolution captain. In addition to his goal versus Columbus, Ralston also contributed his 13th assist of the season. In recent weeks, the 33-year-old has played in a more central role. It is a position that he has rarely occupied throughout his professional career, but his flawless transition is just what was expected by his coach.
"That is just typical of him; I'm not surprised at all," said Nicol. "He is doing what we thought he would do, which is no surprise to us. The stuff he does probably goes unnoticed a bit because we know what he can do and what we are getting. You can almost take your eye off it."
If Nicol is missing what his skipper is doing on a weekly basis then, he agrees, it is likely that the country as a whole is too. While the MVP votes are set to go towards the league's leading scorers, Ralston will continue to prove how important he is to his team, setting an example that the entire Revolution squad will need to reflect in the weeks ahead.
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
