"It is not good enough and there are no excuses," admits Paul. "We were very, very disappointed with the way we played and we only rallied near the end.
"I don't quite know why it happened after the two away wins because on the back of those you'd have thought we'd be having a right go at Everton - but it wasn't to be, and we will have to look at it again.
"We obviously had a long talk after the game with the players but it is the same personnel that has just won two tough away games.
"We just seemed to lack a lot of energy and looked like we were waiting to get beaten - or for them to score, anyway.
"In the last 15 or 20 minutes we sparked and maybe could have got a goal then, but it wasn't to be and the luck wasn't on our side.
"Irrespective of that, though, we are very disappointed."
He says the psychological problem of not having won at home this season must be banished and adds: "There is no way of getting round the fact we had lost the three home games before Sunday. It is up to the players and all of us to break the hoodoo.
"Our fans are the people we want to entertain and we haven't done that.
"It is a big contrast from last year and I have never been involved with a side to whom this has happened, but it has got to be eradicated."