Lemerle holds that several factors played a role in his defeat: the Asian themes he did not subdue supplied reinforcements to Michael; Thomas's fleet performed badly; and the Bulgarian offensive diverted him away from the capital and weakened his army.
Lemerle berpendapat bahwa beberapa faktor memainkan peran dalam kekalahannya: thema-thema Asia yang dia tidak tundukkan memberikan bantuan kepada Mikhael; Armada Tomaž berkinerja buruk; dan serangan Bulgaria mengalihkannya dari ibu kota dan memperlemah pasukannya.