No comebacks

Browsing the BBC's preview of the Southampton game, I stumbled across a jaw-dropping stat: we've won just three points from a losing position this season. Those three points all came from the same game, the 5-1 Boxing Day thrashing of Stoke at St James' Park, and it should be remembered that on that occasion our mission to overturn the deficit was helped immeasurably by the two red cards picked up by the opposition before half-time.

This essentially tells us two things:

1. We're lacking courage and belief, and heads go down far too easily. Just because our opponents have taken the lead doesn't mean that all hope should be lost.

2. If falling behind means we'll almost invariably get nothing - the Southampton match didn't change that - then it follows that in order to stand any chance of getting any points we need to score first. And given that scoring at any point in matches is currently a major problem - especially with the reliable Loic Remy injured - we're not likely to pick up many points.

Two separate issues for the Silver Fox to work on this coming week. After yesterday's display, though, I'd suggest defensive drills should be at the very top of the agenda.