Glenn: Build From The Back

Glenn Roeder says there were some positives from the Leeds defeat last weekend - but says the 'suicidal' defending has to stop.

And he praises the fans' support last weekend and admits he was so grateful for it.

"The way that we started the game before we lost the first goal, the way we fought back to get an equaliser, the way we kept going at Leeds when we were down was encouraging," he says.

"There was some excellent football played by us in the first half but when you leak goals in the manner that we did, for the players that are not involved in those situations, that aren't at fault, they showed immense courage to keep going.

"It is demoralising when individuals are making mistakes and goals are going in - and there are other players that can do nothing about it.

"So all credit to the players in the manner that they kept going and came out for it in the second half; it was a very, very heated dressing room at half time - but there are teams and players who have been in our situation down the years that have totally collapsed.

"I would imagine there were people in the stadium that might have expected that to happen.

"So the positive thing is that not only did they not collapse, they roared back in a manner that makes a mockery of the fact that we haven't won at home yet this year.

"We took the game to Leeds in the second half and had 16 efforts on goal that should have produced another three goals, at least - we should have taken something out of a game that at half time was beyond anybody.

"The second half performance and some of the football played in the first half makes it a nonsense that we have yet to win at Upton Park.

"We have got to find the strength to defend properly, safely, and soundly - which is not asking too much because it is what you should expect from players at this level to be able to do.

"That can allow the attacking play that we are capable of to get us a goal to put us in front.

"But we have not even been able to give our fans a lead at home apart from the Arsenal game.

"And the level of support that our fans found in the second half was absolutely incredible.

"I was just amazed by the reaction at the end and they found great conviction to cheer the team.

"The players that were out there should be very grateful and should respond in a manner that gives the fans what we all want - which is a victory.

"There is no doubt about it - the talent is there, and they proved that last year.

"After a couple of good away wins we have now slipped back into the hole and we have got to climb out again.

"But we will only do that on the back of defending properly as we did when we kept clean sheets at Fulham and Sunderland.

"If we carry on defending in a suicidal way like we did in the opening 45 minutes on Sunday it just makes it so difficult to achieve results.

"You expect the players to learn from that, but it is not the first time it has happened."

Glenn sensed unease on the opposite bench as the game wore on and he says:

"I looked across at Terry when the third goal went in suddenly, from being relaxed, there was tension on the Leeds bench.

"It was just a shame we couldn't get the fourth goal with 15 minutes to go - which was long enough.

"We created enough chances in that time to get a point from what was basically a hopeless case at half time.

"We nearly retrieved something that was irretrievable and for all the effort we put in it was a crying shame we didn't take a point.

"But you can't expect to pick up something when you concede four goals - and I have had a few sleepless nights lately."