With the possible exception of your number 2, above, the words "grasping", "at, and "straws" come to mind.
As someone else has said, the luck (yes, we had some) we had against Chelsea and Sunderland ran out on Saturday.
But we really lost it - bottled it? - in the home draws against Bolton and Southampton - poor displays and questionable tactics - and away against Southampton, our worst performance of the season and probably longer.
Still, gotta be confident for next season.