We stuffed ourselves over months. Or, as some coaches and indeed fans had it, the early games aren't important, save your form for the 8s when it matters,
"We are bound to be in the top 4 so why bust a gut"
We screwed ourselves when some years back we barkingly decided that a team can do without a scrum half, and persisted with that insanity until in recent weeks - but years too late - the penny may finally have dropped. But don't worry, we are actively looking, so that's all right then.
If you build a ship without a rudder, you get a rudderless ship. This may be a surprise to some, but it is strangely true.